Exercise keeps South Coast Marine Rescue NSW crews rescue ready

A marine search and rescue exercise held at Eden over the weekend has ensured local emergency services will be ‘rescue ready’ should a real emergency occur.

The exercise included 25 Marine rescue NSW volunteers from the Eden and Merimbula units as well as 12 representatives from Surf Lifesaving NSW, four representatives of NSW Police Marine Area Command and one from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

The scenario saw members of the emergency services searching for a missing vessel at sea and along the shoreline, with members in the Eden Marine Rescue radio room participating along with volunteers undertaking a complementary desktop exercise.

Crews are briefed before heading out on the exercise

Marine Rescue NSW Zone Commander South Mike Hammond said that the exercise was a great way to get local emergency service members together to practice skills they might use in a real emergency.

“This exercise is one of several held along the coastline, and brings together practitioners from a range of emergency services in a testing scenario.”

“The scenario enables our Marine Rescue NSW members to build their collaboration skills and to better understand how to work effectively together, ensuring the best possible response in an emergency when every second counts.”