The Australian surf lifesaving stuff is a very different concept to searching it would appear. They will use it to patrol from the air for sharks in a relatively restricted area and use a skyshout facility for swimmers and surfers who can't hear the megaphones from the guys on the beach.
This sounds like a far more realistic and practical use for a drone.
Reluctance to change that which does not need changing is not a bad thing in many areas. Constant change is not progress no matter how much management-speak accompanies it.