High stakes at sea: Marine Rescue NSW shines during massive South Coast search simulation

South search box found © Marine Rescue NSW

One of the largest real-time multi-agency search and rescue exercises (SAREX) to ever be held on the NSW coast has been labelled a success by Marine Rescue NSW.

65 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers took part in today's simulated SAREX on the state's South Coast along with NSW Water Police, PolAir, a Westpac Life Saver helicopter and members from Surf Life Saving NSW.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan said seven Marine Rescue NSW vessels from the Batemans Bay, Tuross Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula and Eden units were activated earlier this morning after being briefed on the scenario.

"A yacht with two people on board which was transiting back to Sydney and provided an update on its position off Tathra at 9pm. Almost eight hours later a MAYDAY was issued from the vessel after one of the people on board woke approximately 3.5 nautical miles east of Broulee Island and realised the other crew member was missing.

"There was a tender in tow which had lifejackets and other items missing. It was not known exactly where, why or what time the person went missing," Inspector Sullivan said.

NSW Police Marine Area Command used drift modelling to determine two search areas totalling just under 400 square nautical miles.

"The northern search area covered from Broulee Island to Dalmeny and involved vessels and crew from Marine Rescue Batemans Bay, Tuross Moruya and Narooma while volunteers and boats from Marine Rescue Bermagui, Merimbula and Eden along with a Water Police vessel focused on the Southern search area between Bermagui and Tathra," Inspector Sullivan said.

"All vessels and crews were activated live and rendezvoused in their designated search areas at 8:30am for a parallel line search while Surf Life Saving NSW assets completed a coastal search between Yabbara Point and Bogola Head.

"Conditions were excellent with 1.5 to 2 metre seas and an 8.1 knot wind.

"Crews were tasked to look for numerous targets in both search areas with a variety of items found including eskys, lifejackets, a shoe, hat and a tender.

"All seven Marine Rescue NSW vessels and crews responded swiftly and executed a thorough search of the two areas.

"During a comprehensive 4.5 hour offshore search, our crews located 9 targets, which is impressive considering the scenario and the sheer size of the search areas.

"The Marine Rescue NSW crews and radio operators performed to a high standard but we do takeaway important learnings which will aid our response when tasked for a real-life activation," Inspector Sullivan said.

While the offshore search was taking place, aerial assets responded to two other simulated incidents, a sinking yacht and two rockfishers swept into the sea near Narooma.

"Multiple manikins were located and winched out of the water," Inspector Sullivan said.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell thanked all partner agencies for taking part in the South Coast SAREX.

"It is great that we can work with our partner agencies so that we can better support the community in the rescue worth that we do

The Commissioner also highlighted the importance of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers participating in regular training exercises.

"Exercises like these are extremely important so that we can hone our skills"

Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.