UAS helps U.S. Coast Guard inspect new Aids to Navigation structures

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A UAS was recently used by U.S. Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit (CEU) Providence, Rhode Island to inspect the construction of new Aids to Navigation (ATON) structures.

The inspections were conducted by Lt. Kieron D. McCarthy, who piloted the UAS from a small boat assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bollard (WYTL-65614), based in New Haven, Connecticut.

The UAS was hand launched from the boat, and helped the CEU inspect and approve the steel tower structures that serve as fixed channel markers at Housatonic River, Black Rock, and Duck Island.

According to McCarthy, using UAS saved the CEU more than 30 hours of work, while reducing the risk of having to climb the structures.

“We were able to complete all three inspections in six hours. The evolution originally had the Bollard getting under way for 12 hours to visit each site,” says McCarthy, the project lead and UAS pilot.

“To acquire aerial photographs without the UAS, we would have had to use a contracted helicopter or a Coast Guard helicopter, which would be too costly and impractical. They estimate a helicopter at $14,500 for a day.”

In order to operate the UAS, McCarthy not only had to earn an FAA pilot certificate, but he also had to complete Department of Defense UAS training. McCarthy has been flying the UAS since his unit received it in June 2018.

CEU Providence is one of just eight CEUs in the U.S. Coast Guard with UAS capability.

“It has proved to be exceptionally helpful with CEU’s mission. Largely for elevated assets or assets over water such as roofs, siding, towers, piers and wave breaks,” McCarthy says.

“The UAS has allowed us to be more self-sufficient when it comes to accessing hard to reach assets, so we can better serve our operational partners.”

McCarthy adds that UAS are also beneficial for post hurricane damage assessments.

During the new ATON inspections, the boat that the UAS was piloted from was driven by Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick M. Rogers, the executive petty officer and coxswain on U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bollard. The UAS reduced the time, effort and risk needed to complete the inspections, Rodgers says. 

“Our aids usually take a minimum of two members to do an inspection in order to have a certified climber and rescue climber. The UAS was able to be operated by one person,” Rogers says, adding that UAS are also ideal for verifying new ATON construction.

Rodgers also notes that UAS can serve as a force multiplier for many U.S. Coast Guard missions, including law enforcement, search and research, and ice breaking.