The BMC is testing a remote-operated lifeguard that is meant to rescue swimmers in distress as far as 2 km into the sea. A trial run was conducted at Juhu beach on Monday, said officials. “We conducted demonstrations with BMC officials at Juhu beach twice today—once during low tide in the morning and then during high tide in the evening,” said local MLA Ameet Satam.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner Vishwas Shankarwar also oversaw the trial. “We will hold discussions with experts and the Mumbai Fire Brigade about the usefulness of this equipment. After getting their opinion, we will take the final decision,” said a civic official. Saif Automations Services, which has built the remote controlled lifebuoy, refers to it as a water drone.  “This will serve as secondary equipment in rescue operations,” said Chetan Shah, the company representative.