After responding to 78 beach rescues during the first half of 2026, the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department is testing a drone capable of delivering flotation devices to swimmers in distress.

The department demonstrated the technology Tuesday, July 15, dropping a flotation tube into the ocean as part of an ongoing evaluation of whether to add the capability to its emergency response program.

Lt. Melissa Porro said the department is evaluating whether the drone could provide another layer of protection for beachgoers by quickly delivering a flotation device while first responders are en route.

"For now it's just nice to see what it can do and the hopes that we will hopefully be able to use it eventually," Porro said.

The flotation-device capability remains in the testing phase, and the department has not announced a timeline for operational deployment.

Demonstration expands city's Drone as First Responder program

The rescue-drone test builds on the Police Department's $250,000 Drone as First Responder program, launched in July 2025. According to the city, Sunny Isles Beach became the first law enforcement agency in Florida to transition its drone program from a pilot project to full-time operations.

The program uses American-made Skydio X10 drones that can launch within 20 seconds, reach speeds of up to 45 mph and stream live aerial video directly to officers' mobile devices. Seven FAA-certified drone pilots operate the fleet from the department's Real-Time Crime Center alongside emergency dispatchers.

Until now, the drones have primarily been used for law enforcement operations, surveillance and missing-person searches. The flotation-device demonstration marks the program's first potential application for ocean rescues.

Beach safety improvements continue beyond the drone program

The drone test follows another milestone for the city's beach safety efforts. In May 2026, the Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Rescue Division earned national certification from the United States Lifesaving Association.

To qualify, the division increased lifeguard training to 50 hours and required all lifeguards to earn Emergency Medical Technician or Emergency Medical Responder certification, according to the city.

If approved for operational use, the flotation-device drone would become the latest addition to the city's expanding beach safety system.