Yuhuan Zhantai Ferry Terminal in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, was bustling with travelers heading home and to nearby islands on Feb 2, the first day of the Spring Festival travel rush.

To manage peak water traffic during this 40-day period, the Taizhou Maritime Safety Administration has introduced an innovative system that combines drones, patrol boats, and vessel traffic services. Drones' flexibility allows them to patrol key passenger routes, including those between Jiaojiang and Dachen, to detect hazards such as fishing nets obstructing navigation and illegal anchorage.

Taizhou currently has deployed 19 passenger routes and 24 ferries. The city expects to handle over 125,000 passenger trips this year, with daily traffic on major inter-island routes forecast to be three times higher than usual.

An emergency drill combining drone rescue, patrol boat coordination, and community support was conducted before the holiday, enhancing real-world readiness. A 24-hour duty system was implemented for adverse weather conditions such as cold waves and strong winds, with multiple warning channels to prevent high-risk sailings.