Weather permitting it is proposed to run a Marine Search and Rescue Exercise approximately three to four nautical miles off the Waverly/Patea Coast in an area commonly know as North Trap.
The scenario will be based on a sinking runabout with five people on board.
Several plastic drums half-filled with water will simulate people in the water.
Those taking part will include Wanganui Police Search and Rescue, Coastguard Wanganui, Coastguard South Taranaki, Cape Egmont Rescue, the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter, Coastguard Air patrol based at New Plymouth and the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ. (RCCNZ)
The exercise will kick off at around 8.30am on Saturday morning (9 April) and run through until about 2pm.
Sunday, 10 April has been identified as a back-up day should the weather be unsuitable.
Recreational boaties operating in the Wanganui and South Taranaki areas can expect to see and hear some activity in the area.
Communications are likely to be conducted on marine channels 85, 83 and 6.
The exercise will provide an opportunity for these various SAR assets to work together and test out practised search and rescue procedures and techniques.
W.J. (Bill) NICHOLSON
Sergeant
SAR Coordinator
CENTRAL