Volunteer search and rescue teams in Cork City are expressing frustration with recent drone regulations, stating the current process lacks clarity and is “clear as mud.”
New Regulations Create Hurdles
The regulations, enacted in February and slated to remain in place until May, require anyone flying a drone in Cork City to submit a form to Cork Air Traffic Control (ATC) at least two days in advance. This poses a significant challenge for search and rescue teams who often demand to deploy drones with little to no notice, particularly during urgent searches along the River Lee or for missing vulnerable individuals.
Christy O’Donovan, a volunteer with the Cork City Missing Person Search and Recovery (CCMPSR) charity, emphasized that search teams don’t have the luxury of waiting for approvals. He is urging for more guidance on how the new rules will impact their operations.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) stated the restrictions are in place to ensure safety within Cork’s airspace, assuring that emergency services will continue to have priority access. According to the IAA, “Emergency services will continue to have absolute priority, and all non-emergency drone activity will be paused immediately whenever required to ensure safe access.”
Volunteer Status Complicates Access
Despite their vital contributions – including recent recovery operations in Cork City and North Cork, and involvement in River Lee searches throughout Christmas – volunteer groups like CCMPSR and Mallow Search and Rescue are not classified as ‘official’ first responders. This means they are not automatically exempt from the new regulations.
Members of search teams fear they could face legal consequences if they fly drones without explicit clearance. O’Donovan explained, “If we fly our drone now without permission, we would be breaking the law… But there’s no clarity… The way forward is as clear as mud.” He added that obtaining permission for ongoing searches lasting days or weeks raises questions about repeated applications.
The regulations are also impacting training exercises. CCMPSR recently had to cancel a training session due to difficulties securing clearance to fly.
Philip Johnston, a member of Mallow Search and Rescue (MSAR), expressed hope that charities will ultimately be exempt from the regulations, stating, “they have to be.” However, he also voiced concern that a tragedy “may take a tragedy” before changes are made.
CorkBeo understands that the two-day notice rule is expected to be rescinded and a ‘workaround’ will be position in place to facilitate drone flights. Additional airspace rules for unmanned aircraft are available on iaa.ie/geozones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current regulation for flying drones in Cork City?
Currently, anyone flying a drone in Cork City must submit a form to Cork Air Traffic Control (ATC) at least two days before flying.
Are emergency services exempt from these regulations?
The IAA has stated that emergency services will continue to have absolute priority access to airspace, and non-emergency drone activity will be paused when necessary.
Are volunteer search and rescue teams considered ‘official’ first responders?
No, volunteer groups like CCMPSR and Mallow Search and Rescue are not currently classified as ‘official’ first responders and are therefore subject to the new regulations.
How might these regulations impact the speed and effectiveness of search and rescue operations in Cork City?
