Simulation success: Large-scale ocean rescue emergency exercise concludes off Hunter Coast
by Marine Rescue NSW 14 Jun 07:07 BST
A major multi-agency Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) concluded successfully today, Saturday 14 June, off the coast of Newcastle with over 70 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and staff participating in the most comprehensive marine rescue simulation ever conducted in the Hunter Central Coast region.
Volunteers and vessels from six Marine Rescue NSW units — Newcastle, Lemon Tree Passage, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Norah Head, and Brisbane Water — joined forces with NSW Police Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW Police PolAir, Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter for the live activation.
Marine Rescue NSW Central Zone Commander Dan Duemmer said the full-scale training event met its goal of testing real-time response coordination across sea and air assets.
"This was an unprecedented operation for our region — one that truly put our volunteers and systems through their paces.
"The collaboration we saw on the water and over the airwaves demonstrated exactly why these exercises are so critical," Zone Commander Duemmer said.
NSW Police Marine Area Command Chief Inspector Anthony Brazzill said the initial scenario involved four people (represented by manikins or plastic targets) in the water.
"Today's simulation involved a six-metre vessel with four people on board, who set out earlier this morning on a whale watching trip.
"The crew had logged their departure with Marine Rescue NSW and were scheduled to return at 6am.
"When the crew failed to Log Off, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers conducted inquiries and located the vessel trailer at the boat ramp, the incident was escalated to NSW Police Marine Area Command.
"Multiple agencies and assets were deployed to conduct an immediate search of the highest-probability area, aiming to locate and rescue survivors and recover all missing persons," Chief Inspector Brazzill said.
The simulation involved designated search areas stretching from Stockton Bight to Redhead, with rescue vessels operating up to five nautical miles offshore. Four Marine Rescue NSW rescue watercraft (RWCs) focused on inshore areas, while air assets provided aerial reconnaissance and coordination.
Participants were tasked with locating and recovering targets, including manikins and simulated debris, as part of a realistic maritime emergency scenario. Rescue vessels moved in formation through assigned grid patterns, replicating the tactics used during real-life searches.
While activity was under way on the water, over 30 Marine Rescue NSW volunteer radio operators based at the Marine Rescue Newcastle base coordinated communications, honing their skills in supporting a high-pressure, evolving operation.
"The radio communications exercise ran parallel to the on-water activity and was a key element in testing our full regional response capability," Zone Commander Duemmer said.
"It also allowed less experienced volunteers to gain critical operational experience in a live training environment."
Zone Commander Duemmer thanked all participating agencies for their contribution and emphasised the importance of ongoing joint exercises to maintain rescue readiness.
"Our ability to respond effectively in life-threatening situations depends on how well we train together. This exercise reinforced the strength of our partnerships and the dedication of every volunteer and team member involved," 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.