The Narooma unit will be involved in a huge Marine Rescue NSW exercise on 3 May (Saturday). Photo: 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).
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 on 3 May (Saturday).
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 was vital for maintaining skills and providing valuable experience for volunteers who might 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,” Mr Sullivan said.
“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.”
The Bermagui Marine rescue crew will take part in Saturday’s training exercise. Photo: Marine Rescue NSW.
A Marine Rescue NSW spokesperson said the exact location of the two search areas had deliberately not been made public.
“We want that element of surprise. It is a real-life simulation and we don’t want them planning for it,” he said.
He said the three northern units would search in one area and the three southern units would search another area.
It is a “massive” search area just under 400 square nautical miles.
“This is really going to test them out,” the spokesperson said.
The volunteers will be looking for planted debris and items that are being tracked.
The spokesperson said the SAREX was based on an “intriguing scenario”.
“It will put them to the test which is what we want because at some point they will be confronted with something like this,” 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,” Inspector Sullivan said. “The exercise is a coastal search and will take place up to 15 nautical miles offshore.”
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.
