Members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coastguard’s Unmanned Systems Unit advanced their technical skills in unmanned aerial vehicles during a recent training exercise.

The three-day course, which was conducted by US-based experts from Drone Nerds, brought together 15 personnel from the RBR, including members of the coastguard and the wider battalion.

Two officers each from the Bermuda Police Service and the Cayman Islands Coastguard took part in the training, the RBR said.

The training included classroom sessions, practical flight instruction and live deployment exercises to strengthen the integration of UAVs in search-and-rescue operations, maritime security, law enforcement and environmental monitoring.

Instructors were able to demonstrate their UAV capability to Stephen Doughty, the British Minister of State for the Overseas Territories — who was visiting the island — and Andrew Murdoch, the Governor.

The RBR Coast Guard USU operates five Parrot Anafi USA drones, all funded through the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the regiment said that underlines Britain’s commitment to the island’s maritime resilience and innovation.

Mr Murdoch said: “It’s important that the RBR and BPS continue to innovate and use technology to the greatest possible extent to carry out their missions more efficiently and effectively.

“These UAVs, funded by the UK, deliver incredible capability and will make a difference in delivering a safer and more secure Bermuda.”

Major Jeffrey Patterson, Officer Commanding the RBR Coastguard, said the training was undertaken to ensure that the regiment’s UAV operators are not only technically proficient but also tactically confident in real-world missions.

He said: “By training with BPS and CICG, we have strengthened both our interoperability and our ability to safeguard Bermuda’s waters and marine environment.”

The RBR said that the exercise covered manual flight fundamentals, tactical operations, automated mission planning and integration of thermal and zoom sensors.

Participants advanced to full-scale deployment exercises, including shoreline searches, vessel-based launches and co-ordinated UAV operations.

Students were left prepared to sit the FAA Part 107 Small UAS [unmanned aircraft system] Certification Test, providing internationally recognised credentials for UAV operation, the RBR said.

The regiment added that the training represented a “significant step forward” in operational readiness of the its unmanned systems unit.

It said: “The use of UAVs will enable faster search-and-rescue response, including for the location of distressed vessels or missing persons at sea.

“It will enhance coastal surveillance and law enforcement, supporting BPS and regional partners, and allow for expanded environmental monitoring capacity.”

Major Patterson added: “This training gives Bermuda a modern, flexible capability.

“Drones allow us to cover more ground, respond faster and protect both lives and our marine environment more effectively.”

The regiment thanked Drone Nerds for the instruction.

Giovanni Ruiz, a technical director at Drone Nerds, said: “We were honoured to partner with the Royal Bermuda Regiment to deliver a specialised Parrot Anafi USA training programme led by our advanced UAS trainer, Stuart de la Rosa.

“Over three days, the course combined classroom instruction, hands-on flight practice and scenario-based missions to prepare participants for the unique challenges of maritime search-and-rescue and public safety.”

Mr Ruiz said that the firm believes training goes beyond technical skills as it builds the confidence and decision-making ability required to succeed in complex missions, while ensuring teams are mission-ready from day one and able to adapt to evolving demands.

He added: “The regiment’s students were highly engaged and it was inspiring to see their capabilities grow with each session.

“We are proud to support their operational readiness and to have partnered with such a professional and dedicated team.”

Lance Corporal Micah Simons, a boatswain’s mate and full-time member of RBR Coast Guard staff, reflected on the training.

The 27-year-old, who has been in the regiment since 2021, highlighted how the UAVs could assist with maritime law enforcement operations such as investigations into reports of unauthorised fishing.

He said: “It was my first time flying a drone, so definitely a new experience.

“It will be a very good asset to have in the coastguard and in the Royal Bermuda Regiment as a whole.”

• For information on joining the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visitrbr.bm, call 238-1045 or contact the recruiting team at rbr.recruiting@gov.bm