All systems go: Marine Rescue NSW to host full-scale emergency simulation off Tweed Heads
by Marine Rescue NSW 27 May 06:39 BST
Marine Rescue NSW vessel Point Danger 31 © Marine Rescue NSW
Almost 60 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and staff from the Northern Rivers region will converge on Tweed Heads this Saturday (31 May) for a major simulated offshore multi-agency search and rescue exercise (SAREX).
Marine Rescue NSW Northern Zone Commander Darren Hulm said volunteers from the Point Danger, Brunswick, Ballina, Evans Head, Iluka Yamba and Wooli units would hone their skills on boats and rescue watercraft (jet skis) alongside other NSW and Queensland agencies.
"It is really important for our crews to make sure that their training and skills are put into practice for these major search and rescue exercises.
"This weekend sees Marine Rescue NSW training with our partner agencies in NSW Police Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue QLD and Queensland Water Police, along with Surf Lifesaving NSW.
"Because we're on the border, we've included our neighbouring agencies. It is a perfect opportunity for inter-agency participation, so that when something does happen, our units are well placed to respond.
"On the back of the recent cyclone, it's important to acknowledge the efforts that all emergency service agencies go to when something of that scale happens. We are all in a position where we have worked together previously," he said.
Seven vessels, including Marine Rescue NSW boats from the Point Danger, Ballina and Wooli units, will be on the water during the SAREX, along with four rescue watercraft (RWC) from Marine Rescue Point Danger and Brunswick. NSW Police PolAir and a Lifesaver Rescue helicopter will also take part in the exercise.
"The crews will be given a scenario where they'll go out (offshore) and search an area looking for targets. They won't be informed of the scenario until the morning of the SAREX - it puts our crews in a position where they are rescue-ready to respond as required," Zone Commander Hulm said.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said the simulation would see crews searching a large area offshore from 8:30 am this Saturday, 31 May.
"The vessels will be covering from Cook Island in the south all the way up to Rainbow Bay Beach, and up to four nautical miles (7 km) eastward, while the Marine Rescue NSW RWCs will be covering the beach along Fingal."
Inspector Murray said members of the public should not be alarmed by the large number of rescue vessels off Tweed Heads this weekend.
"People will enjoy great viewing opportunities of the offshore exercise from the Captain Cook Lighthouse at Point Danger.
"The public can expect to see the vessels all in a line, travelling at 10 knots (18.5 km/h), going north to south approximately a quarter of a mile apart (until approximately 12 pm).
"They will be searching for objects in the water - manikins and debris - which are the targets they will be trying to retrieve," he said.
While the on-water exercise is taking place, more than a dozen Marine Rescue NSW volunteer radio operators from across the region will sharpen their skills with a desktop search and rescue exercise at the Marine Rescue Point Danger training facility at Duranbah Beach.
"It is a simulated desktop exercise involving all aspects of our radio operations and emergency management.
"It is important for our radio operators to practise in a controlled environment with simulated pressure so they can develop and execute communication and navigation plans effectively.
"Clear and concise communication is paramount during search and rescue missions," Inspector Murray said.
Zone Commander Hulm said all Marine Rescue NSW Northern Rivers units involved would maintain radio and on-water response in their local areas during the exercise.
"The community can be assured that in the event of a real emergency on our waterways, our rescue craft and crews are ready to respond," he said.
Throughout May, Marine Rescue NSW has been raising funds to keep volunteers rescue-ready with the MAYDAY campaign.
Zone Commander Hulm said that while Marine Rescue NSW receives valuable funds from the NSW Government, the service also relies on the generous support of communities, partners and grant programmes to continue the mission of saving lives on the water.
"This May, we've been asking people to answer the call and support Marine Rescue NSW.
'MAYDAY' is a call for help — we need people to answer our call. Every dollar donated helps our volunteers save lives on the water.
"Our goal of $45,000 represents $1 for every boater Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the state have saved in the last five years. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible, greatly appreciated and can be made online at donate.mrnsw.com.au," he 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.