Central District Police will be running a marine search and rescue exercise approximately 3 to 5 nautical miles off the Oakura Coast on Sunday 24 March 2013.
Weather permitting, the exercise will kick off at around 12.30pm and conclude at about 3pm.
Sergeant Bill Nicholson Police SAR Coordinator for the Central District says: "Boaties operating in the New Plymouth and Cape Egmont areas can expect to hear some radio activity on marine channels 61, 84, and 6."
The scenario will be based on a sinking runabout with four people on board.
Those taking part will include Taranaki Police Search and Rescue, Coastguard units from New Plymouth and South Taranaki, Cape Egmont Sea Rescue, the Department of Conservation, and Taranaki Surf Life Saving.
Taranaki Coastguard Air patrol based at New Plymouth and the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ) will also be involved.
"The exercise will provide an opportunity for the various SAR assets to work together and test out practised search and rescue procedures and techniques."
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.