Sixty Marine Rescue NSW crew members and radio operators from five Northern Rivers units honed their skills at Tweed Heads today during a simulated multi-incident offshore search and rescue exercise (SAREX), held in persistent driving rain and 1.5-metre seas.
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Darren Schott said the exercise brought together agencies from both New South Wales and Queensland.
“Led by the NSW Police Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers searched offshore waters with Marine Rescue QLD, Surf Life Saving QLD and Surf Life Saving NSW members, as well as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter,” he said.
“SAREXs are vitally important for Marine Rescue NSW volunteers to practise their skills in a controlled environment. When we assist in a live, multi-agency search and rescue operation, our crews must be able to respond effectively,” Deputy Commissioner Schott said.
NSW Police Marine Area Command Inspector Dave Carlin said the initial scenario involved five people (represented by manikins or plastic targets) in the water.
“Today’s simulation involved a 10-metre vessel with five people on board, who set out earlier this morning on a routine fishing trip around Cook Island.
“The crew had logged their departure with Marine Rescue NSW and were scheduled to return later in the day. However, a couple of hours into their trip, Marine Rescue NSW radio operators received a faint MAYDAY call from the vessel.
“This simulation saw multiple agencies and assets deployed to conduct an immediate search of the highest-probability area, aiming to locate and rescue survivors and recover all missing persons,” Inspector Carlin said.
Marine Rescue NSW Northern Zone Commander Darren Hulm said the search included six on-water search areas and an aerial zone (Westpac Rescue Helicopter), involving volunteer crews and vessels (boats and rescue watercraft) from Marine Rescue NSW Point Danger, Brunswick and Ballina and Marine Rescue QLD – Currumbin as well Surf Life Saving resources and NSW Water Police vessel WP 27 (pictured above).
“This simulated emergency is real-life preparation.
“Our crews perform search and rescue regularly in unfavourable weather, and today’s conditions added to the challenge. It was wet, unpleasant, and visibility was poor.
“Drift modelling was conducted by Marine Area Command, with the search area extending from Kingscliff Beach to Currumbin and up to five nautical miles (9 km) offshore – covering an area of 102 square nautical miles.
“Multiple manikins and PVC pipe targets were deployed earlier this morning and were the targets crews were searching for,” Zone Commander Hulm said.
During the initial search, an additional simulated tasking was introduced, and a successful search was completed for two spear fishers reported missing off Cook Island.
“This additional tasking highlights the unpredictable nature of emergencies and provided an excellent test for our volunteers, who responded swiftly and professionally,” Zone Commander Hulm said.
Inspector Carlin from the NSW Police Marine Area Command said valuable lessons will be taken from the exercise.
“The exercise was very successful despite the challenging conditions. The agencies worked together exceptionally well to successfully locate the targets and complete the SAREX. Exercises like these allow us to fine-tune inter-agency processes for real-life events, and I thank all the volunteers and agencies involved for their dedication to saving lives on the water,” he said.
While crews conducted searches at sea, Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Schott said nearly 20 Marine Rescue NSW radio operators from the Point Danger, Brunswick, Ballina, Evans Head and Iluka Yamba units sharpened their skills through a desktop search and rescue simulation.
“Our radio operators are the backbone of the Service. They are the link between land and sea, and practising their navigation and communication management skills will serve them well during live incidents,” Deputy Commissioner Schott said.
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