Marine Rescue specialists from the Central Coast and Sydney put their skills to the test on July 23 and 24, searching for “victims” missing at sea in a major maritime capability operation around Broken Bay.
The search was the focus of a two-day regional Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) designed to test marine search and rescue practices and coordination.
Volunteers from eight Marine Rescue NSW units were among more than 115 specialists taking part, including 12 members from Central Coast Marine Rescue.
The exercise is based on a scenario involving a search for multiple victims after a recreational fishing boat is reported missing off the coast at Broken Bay.
Volunteers from all eight units also undertook incident management exercises onshore and presentations by the attending emergency services.
Minister for Emergency Services, Resilience and Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke, said the exercise was the largest of five held across the state this winter to test the readiness of marine rescue agencies ahead of the busy boating season.
“Training opportunities like this are vital to help our crews stay sharp and ready to save lives when more people take to the water in the warmer months,” Cooke said.
“Over the past 12 months, Marine Rescue volunteers responded to 3,896 calls for emergency assistance, the second highest on record despite the wettest start to a year on record.”
In the last year, Central Coast Marine Rescue has completed 79 emergency rescues in the area.
Cooke said these exercises were vital to honing marine rescue skills and cooperation between the agencies, ensuring that everyone was able to respond as quickly and safely as possible during such emergencies.
“Tragically, over the past year, 14 boaters and paddlers have lost their lives, and I urge everyone heading out on the water to do their bit by always wearing a lifejacket and logging on with their local Marine Rescue base,” Cooke said.
“This is essential to ensure that we have the best possible chance of quickly finding and rescuing someone in the water in an emergency when time is of the essence.”
Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alex Barrell, said the event was a major component of the ongoing professional training program for their highly skilled boat crew and operators.
“Our volunteers are trained to the highest standards for their roles, and the on-water experience they gain from this exercise helps keep them rescue-ready around the clock,” Barrell said.
Hayley McMahon