Marine Rescue NSW volunteers to hone skills in major South Coast training exercise
by Marine Rescue NSW 29 Apr 18:56 NZST
Marine Rescue NSW crews will be tasked to locate numerous objects offshore associated with the simulated on-water emergency © Marine Rescue NSW
More than 80 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from the South Coast will take part in a simulated live activation, real-time, multi-agency search and rescue exercise (SAREX) this Saturday (3 May).
Seven vessels and volunteers from six Marine Rescue NSW units (Batemans Bay, Tuross Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula and Eden) will converge on two major search areas along the coast to locate numerous objects offshore associated with a simulated on-water emergency.
This weekend's search and rescue exercise is one of the largest ever to be held on the NSW Coast.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan said a SAREX of this magnitude is vital for maintaining skills and providing valuable experience for volunteers who may not have previously been involved in a major multi-agency operation.
"Our crews will be briefed on the scenario and required to be at the designated search area to commence searching on Saturday morning.
"This training exercise is vital for all agencies — it brings us together to combine our efforts and training into one large-scale, multi-agency search and rescue operation.
"It's a real-time simulation of what we do.
"NSW Water Police and one of their boats are also taking part in the multi-agency exercise, along with aerial assets from PolAir and Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopters. Members from Surf Life Saving NSW will also participate," he said.
Inspector Sullivan said Marine Rescue NSW vessel crews would be supported by volunteer radio operators during the exercise from multiple unit bases.
"Clear communication is vital in any mission, and our radio operators play a crucial role in the response effort.
"The exercise is a coastal search and will take place up to 15 nautical miles offshore. The search area that we will be undertaking is just under 400 square nautical miles across two search areas," he said.
All Marine Rescue NSW units involved will maintain radio and on-water response in their local areas during Saturday's exercise.
"The community can be assured that in the event of a real emergency on our waterways, Marine Rescue NSW craft and crews are ready to respond," Inspector Sullivan said.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.