It was a true team effort at the annual Gisborne Marine Search and Rescue Exercise.
More than 35 people from a range of organisations came together recently to test their skills, including Tairāwhiti Police Search and Rescue squad, various volunteers from Gisborne Land Search and Rescue, Coastguard, Surf lifesaving and amateur radio, as well as representatives from Eastland Port, NZ Search and Rescue (NZSAR), Eastland Rescue Chopper, and the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ).
Bad weather meant the exercise could not be undertaken on the water and a series of desktop scenarios based on realistic events that occur in the region were undertaken, including searching for a missing diver, dealing with two crashed fishing vessels sinking with people overboard, and a person missing overboard from a commercial ship.
The teams debriefed after each scenario.
Eastern District Search and Rescue Assistant Coordinator Claire Trezise says the exercise was a great opportunity for everyone to work together and build relationships.
“Many of those involved in Search and Rescue are volunteers, giving up their own time to keep our communities safe and support search and rescue efforts across the region,” says Claire.