A Florida fisherman who can’t swim became an unexpected hero after guiding a life preserver to a struggling child using only his drone.

On Thursday, a drone flown by fisherman Andrew Smith helped save a young girl caught in a powerful rip current at Fort Pickens Beach in Pensacola, moments before emergency crews reached the scene, as the Daily Mail reports.

The dramatic scene unfolded under overcast skies and heavy wind at a beach known for its unpredictable currents. A single red flag was posted along the coast, signaling hazardous conditions and warning visitors to stay out of the water -- an alert many beachgoers ignored. Three young girls had entered the surf when one of them was suddenly swept out too far by the relentless pull of a rip current.

Andrew Smith, stationed on the beach while using his specialized drone for fishing, noticed splashing and distress from the water’s edge. Despite not knowing how to swim himself, Smith operated a SwellPro Fisherman Max drone -- an advanced piece of equipment typically used to survey the ocean for sharks and deploy fishing lines remotely. When he heard someone yelling for help, he immediately redirected his drone toward the unfolding emergency.

Quick thinking saves day

“This girl was screaming: ‘Can anybody swim?’” Smith recalled, describing the desperate cries that sparked his intervention. Seeing no lifeguards and no one else moving to help, he spotted life preservers stashed nearby. Attaching one to the drone, he flew it toward the girl, only for the first drop to miss its mark completely.

Realizing the urgency of the situation, a woman on the beach handed him another flotation device. Still rattled but determined, Smith launched a second attempt. This time the drone succeeded. Guided by a camera attached to the device, he was able to maneuver it through gusting winds and position it directly above the stricken girl, releasing the life bracket with precision.

A bystander filming the dramatic rescue, Robert Nay, captured the moment the flotation device reached the girl. “She got it, woo!” someone is heard shouting excitedly in the recording. Nay later posted the video publicly and credited Smith’s fast thinking with keeping the child alive until rescue officials could intervene.

Technology built for fishing becomes lifesaving tool

Smith explained that his drone was equipped with a dual-release mechanism and a high-resolution camera, allowing him to see the girl’s head bobbing in the surf. “If I didn’t get her with that one, I don’t know if she would have made it any longer,” he admitted.

The SwellPro Fisherman Max drone is capable of carrying up to two life jackets safely over significant distances. Though originally designed to enhance deep-sea fishing expeditions, Smith was able to apply its features to a life-or-death situation. The girl held on to the preserver until first responders arrived and pulled her safely from the water.

She was then reunited with her family on shore. Her father later contacted Smith to express his heartfelt appreciation, reportedly weeping from gratitude. “He was actually crying and thanking me,” Smith said, visibly moved by the emotional reaction.

Wider safety concerns highlighted

There were no lifeguards posted along the beach that day -- a detail that could have proven fatal. Holiday lifeguard shifts do not begin at Fort Pickens Beach until Memorial Day weekend, and beachgoers often disregard flag warnings, which limits preventive action.

“[Smith] literally saved her life and bought time for fire and rescue to get there,” said Robert Nay in his Facebook post, amplifying Smith’s actions and raising public awareness. If Smith had not acted, the consequences might have been tragic. Despite the adrenaline and stress of the situation, Smith stayed composed enough to execute his drone mission with remarkable accuracy. “I was pretty nervous,” he confessed, “but we got it down to her.”

Lessons to learn

1. Heed beach warning flags: A single red flag indicates hazardous water conditions, including strong currents. Swimmers should always take these warnings seriously—even if the water appears calm—because rip currents are often invisible from shore.

2. Never swim without supervision: Lifeguards provide crucial oversight and immediate action in crisis moments. Avoid swimming in areas where no lifeguards are stationed and always pair off with a swimming buddy. While drones and good Samaritans can help in rare cases, they are not replacements for trained professionals.

3. Embrace lifesaving innovations -- but don’t rely on them: The use of Smith’s drone represents an incredible adaptation of modern tech for public safety. However, bystanders should focus on calling 911 and not entering dangerous waters themselves. Tools like drones can help, but every second counts when lives are on the line. Still, it's important to remember that accidents happen, and no matter what steps are taken, we must never place blame on victims who find themselves in danger.

Why this story matters

This event underscores the vulnerability of swimmers during off-season beach visits when lifeguard protection is absent. The story shows how swift action -- even from an unlikely rescuer -- can turn moments of terror into triumph.

As coastal communities continue to experience rising numbers of rip current-related incidents, raising awareness is a critical public service. These stories remind us how unpredictable nature can be—and how technology, when used with compassion, can make a life-saving difference.

The bottom line

On a Thursday in Pensacola, Florida, a young life was nearly lost to a powerful rip current off Fort Pickens Beach -- where no lifeguards were present, and red flag conditions warned of danger.

Fisherman Andrew Smith, who cannot swim, employed his fishing drone to fly a flotation device to the struggling girl after spotting her from shore. Despite a failed first attempt, a second preserver reached her just in time, thanks to Smith’s focus and quick thinking.

The dramatic event, filmed by a beachgoer and shared online, has drawn praise across the community for Smith’s decisive actions. With lifeguards not scheduled to begin duty until Memorial Day, the rescue serves as a critical reminder of summer beach safety -- and the extraordinary potential of human courage paired with modern technology.