River Rescue Revolution: Meet ‘Fasty’ – The Remote-Controlled Lifebuoy Taking on Medway
High-Speed Lifebuoy Zooms to the Rescue
Rochester and Strood have a new hero on the water. The Rochester Bridge Trust is trialling a cutting-edge, remote-controlled lifebuoy called “Fasty” on the River Medway. This speedy lifesaver can zoom across the water at up to 15km/h, controlled from dry land with a simple joystick, ready to reach anyone in distress faster than ever before.
Green Tech Meets Lifesaving Power
Fasty isn’t just fast—it’s eco-friendly too. Battery-powered with renewable energy, it offers a sustainable solution for emergency river rescues. Early trials with local emergency crews showed Fasty’s reliability and ease of use, promising quicker responses without harming the environment.
Community and Emergency Services Rally Behind Fasty
“This modern technology offers a quick and effective way to help people in trouble on the river,” said a spokesperson for the Rochester Bridge Trust. “It’s a practical solution for a historic waterway, benefiting workers, visitors, and the wider community alike.”
The Trust is teaming up with emergency services to perfect Fasty’s deployment, aiming for wider rollout along the Medway. With water safety rising up the agenda, this nifty device could become a crucial lifesaver across the region.
What’s Next for Fasty?
Keep your eyes on the Medway this year—official updates and feedback from ongoing trials are due soon. If successful, Fasty could change river rescue forever.
![Man ‘stabbed to death in Dubai by British TikTok star’ was convicted of attacking a woman EXCLUSIVE: Brooke George, 23, is facing the death penalty by firing squad if found guilty of murdering Bill Treeby, 26, who was convicted of common assault and wounding against a man and woman three years ago News Tom Pettifor Crime Editor 17:36, 26 Jun 2026 Brooke George, 23, could face the death penalty View 4 Images Brooke George, 23, could face the death penalty(Image: INSTAGRAM) A man allegedly stabbed to death in Dubai by a British TikTok influencer was previously convicted of attacking a woman. Brooke George, 23, is facing the death penalty by firing squad if convicted of murdering fellow Brit Bill Treeby, 26, after meeting him online. Detained in Dubai – a pressure group representing her family – said George acted in self defence after being repeatedly assaulted. The former John Lewis shop assistant, who has about 100,000 followers on TikTok, is reported to have travelled to the UAE after meeting Treeby on Facebook, where he is said to have organised a photoshoot. The Mirror can reveal that he was convicted of unlawful wounding and common assault at Maidstone Crown Court in December 2023, in relation to an attack on a woman and a man. Treeby was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, a court official confirmed. Bill Treeby was facing cocaine charges when he was killed View 4 Images Bill Treeby was facing cocaine charges when he was killed He was due to stand trial next year at the same court, charged with plotting to supply cocaine after police seized the Class A drug, cash and cannabis worth £80,000. Treeby was one of seven suspects charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine in March 2024 after an investigation by Kent Police’s County Lines and Gangs Team. Daily Mirror Icon Our daily newsletter sends you the latest headlines from the Mirror Enter your Email… Subscribe We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info READ MORE: Horror life of Brit woman facing firing squad in Dubai – ‘stripped naked, squalor and no fair hearing’ READ MORE: Young British woman facing firing squad in Dubai for ‘stabbing Brit man she met online to death’ George, of Gravesend, Kent, is being held in cells at the Gulf city’s notorious Bur Dubai police station. She said her first visit to the country lasted about a week and was positive, describing it as “the time of my life”. However, on her second trip to Dubai in June, she allegedly accused him of booking her a one-way ticket, taking her passport and attacking her when she asked for it back. There was an altercation at an apartment after the pair enjoyed an evening out. She alleged she was attacked and reached for a kitchen knife to defend herself. George is said to have arranged a flight home with help from friends as she tried to flee, but was arrested in the early hours of June 22 at Dubai International Airport. George is said to have acted in self defence View 4 Images George is said to have acted in self defence (Image: Brooke George) After her arrest, she claims she was denied a lawyer and forced to strip naked in front of male officers. She described the experience as “deeply humiliating and distressing”, breaking down in tears when recounting it to her family. In a statement released through Detained in Dubai, George’s mother, Thereza, said: “The daughter I spoke to that night was utterly terrified. I firmly believe she was desperately trying to get home and away from whatever had happened to her.” George could face the death penalty View 4 Images George could face the death penalty(Image: Brooke George) His widow Karen – who described him as a ‘wonderful’ husband and father – wrote on Facebook this week that she was “broken” after losing her “darling son”. Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling is urging authorities to treat the incident as a domestic abuse case and to release George on bail pending an investigation. Article continues below Similar articles to this Powered By Mantis Logo Find more about Young British woman facing firing squad in Dubai for ‘stabbing Brit man she met online to death’ Young British woman facing firing squad in Dubai for ‘stabbing Brit man she met online to death’ Young British woman facing firing squad in Dubai for ‘stabbing Brit man she met online to death’ Find more about Horror life of Brit woman facing firing squad in Dubai – ‘stripped naked, squalor and no fair hearing’ Horror life of Brit woman facing firing squad in Dubai – ‘stripped naked, squalor and no fair hearing’ Horror life of Brit woman facing firing squad in Dubai – ‘stripped naked, squalor and no fair hearing’ Find more about Man jailed for assaulting female police officers in Manchester Airport attack which went viral Man jailed for assaulting female police officers in Manchester Airport attack which went viral Man jailed for assaulting female police officers in Manchester Airport attack which went viral Find more about Woman and five children rescued after being held captive for over 10 years Woman and five children rescued after being held captive for over 10 years Woman and five children rescued after being held captive for over 10 years Find more about BBC River City’s Iain Robertson guilty of raping woman and assaulting two more BBC River City’s Iain Robertson guilty of raping woman and assaulting two more BBC River City’s Iain Robertson guilty of raping woman and assaulting two more Find more about Chilling killer told cops ‘I’ve disposed of my wife’ after stabbing her 78 times Chilling killer told cops ‘I’ve disposed of my wife’ after stabbing her 78 times Chilling killer told cops ‘I’ve disposed of my wife’ after stabbing her 78 times Find more about Reliving the summer of 1976 – as a once historic heatwave becomes our new normal Reliving the summer of 1976 – as a once historic heatwave becomes our new normal Reliving the summer of 1976 – as a once historic heatwave becomes our new normal 35 Comments Find more about Starved by bosses and jailed over desperate train crash – the miners who deserve a pardon Starved by bosses and jailed over desperate train crash – the miners who deserve a pardon Starved by bosses and jailed over desperate train crash – the miners who deserve a pardon Find more about Parents given ‘risk of death’ warning as cot sold on Amazon urgently recalled Parents given ‘risk of death’ warning as cot sold on Amazon urgently recalled Parents given ‘risk of death’ warning as cot sold on Amazon urgently recalled Find more about US launches new airstrikes on Iran and Strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump claims ceasefire was violated US launches new airstrikes on Iran and Strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump claims ceasefire was violated US launches new airstrikes on Iran and Strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump claims ceasefire was violated 8 Comments Find more about Lebanon attacks continue to rage despite Donald Trump’s so-called Iran war peace deal Lebanon attacks continue to rage despite Donald Trump’s so-called Iran war peace deal Lebanon attacks continue to rage despite Donald Trump’s so-called Iran war peace deal 5 Comments Find more about Boy, 10, charged with attempted murder and rape after woman stabbed in park Boy, 10, charged with attempted murder and rape after woman stabbed in park Boy, 10, charged with attempted murder and rape after woman stabbed in park Find more about Baby dies after parent ‘forgets him in car on way to work’ during France heatwave Baby dies after parent ‘forgets him in car on way to work’ during France heatwave Baby dies after parent ‘forgets him in car on way to work’ during France heatwave Find more about Donald Trump ‘has a crush on me’ jibes London mayor in latest spat with US President Donald Trump ‘has a crush on me’ jibes London mayor in latest spat with US President Donald Trump ‘has a crush on me’ jibes London mayor in latest spat with US President 9 Comments Find more about Opening shots of ’40 day assault’ on Russia as Putin suspected of Baltic plots Opening shots of ’40 day assault’ on Russia as Putin suspected of Baltic plots Opening shots of ’40 day assault’ on Russia as Putin suspected of Baltic plots Find more about South Korea jails ex-first lady for 7 years for accepting luxury gifts South Korea jails ex-first lady for 7 years for accepting luxury gifts South Korea jails ex-first lady for 7 years for accepting luxury gifts Find more about ‘Cannibal stole human body parts to eat including face and brain’ after ‘irresistible obsession’ ‘Cannibal stole human body parts to eat including face and brain’ after ‘irresistible obsession’ ‘Cannibal stole human body parts to eat including face and brain’ after ‘irresistible obsession’ Find more about Saudi doctor jailed for life after killing six in German Christmas market attack Saudi doctor jailed for life after killing six in German Christmas market attack Saudi doctor jailed for life after killing six in German Christmas market attack Find more about Zelensky approves 40-day offensive to ‘influence’ Russia to end war Zelensky approves 40-day offensive to ‘influence’ Russia to end war Zelensky approves 40-day offensive to ‘influence’ Russia to end war 1 Comments Find more about Eurostar ‘hell’ sees passengers stranded for eight hours in blistering heatwave Eurostar ‘hell’ sees passengers stranded for eight hours in blistering heatwave Eurostar ‘hell’ sees passengers stranded for eight hours in blistering heatwave Find more about Young British woman facing firing squad in Dubai for ‘stabbing Brit man she met online to death’ Young British woman facing firing squad in Dubai for ‘stabbing Brit man she met online to death’ Young British woman facing firing squad in Dubai for ‘stabbing Brit man she met online to death’ Find more about Horror life of Brit woman facing firing squad in Dubai – ‘stripped naked, squalor and no fair hearing’ Horror life of Brit woman facing firing squad in Dubai – ‘stripped naked, squalor and no fair hearing’ Horror life of Brit woman facing firing squad in Dubai – ‘stripped naked, squalor and no fair hearing’ She added: “Over recent years, there have been increasing reports of women, including social media influencers, models and young travellers, being lured to Dubai with promises of luxury lifestyles, paid work, holidays or romantic relationships, only to later allege that they were subjected to forced attendance at [degrading, sexualised] parties, sexual exploitation, coercion, violence or other degrading treatment.” The Foreign Office said: “We are in touch with a British woman detained in the UAE, we are supporting her family, and we are in contact with the local authorities.” Daily Mirror Icon ENJOYED THIS STORY? Choose Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the news you value. Google Preferred Source Badge Follow Daily Mirror: Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram Snapchat](https://uknip.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1_g-Brit-facing-firing-squad-in-Dubai-after-murder-charge_1386JPG.avif)
