Marine search and rescue exercise planned

Central District Police will be running a marine search and rescue exercise in the vicinity of the coastline between Turakina Beach and the Raumai Bombing Range on Saturday 21 March, 2015.

The scenario will be based on a sinking vessel and about 30 people will be involved in the exercise.

Sergeant Bill Nicholson Police SAR Coordinator for the Central District says: "The exercise will be run from Wanganui Coastguard’s newly renovated premises and will commence early on Saturday morning and conclude mid-afternoon."

"Boaties operating in the Whanganui and Manawatü areas can expect to hear some radio activity on marine channels 85 (Whanganui), 64 (Foxton) and 61 (Tangimoana)."

Those taking part will include Police Search and Rescue, Coastguard and Surf Life Saving personnel from Manawatü, Whanganui, and South Taranaki as well as the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ), and some locally based aircraft.

"The exercise will provide an opportunity for the various SAR assets to work together, and evaluate and improve on practised search and rescue procedures and techniques," says Sergeant Nicholson.

ENDS

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