Marine Rescue NSW out in force for flood capability training exercise

Marine Rescue units from across the state will be flexing their rescue muscles in a joint operation to test their preparedness for future flood disasters. Here is what’s planned.

Marine rescue NSW volunteers readying for the statewide flood capability training exercise "Who Let the Boats Out" planned for February 3.

About 50 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from across NSW will take part in the State Emergency Service’s annual statewide flood capability training exercise on Saturday.

Marine Rescue NSW General Manager Training and Capability Brad Whittaker said 21 Marine Rescue NSW vessels – from Northern Rivers to the Illawarra regions – will be involved in Saturday’s exercise called ‘Who Let the Boats Out’.

“It is a great opportunity for Marine Rescue NSW to work with other rescue agencies, specifically the SES in the flood rescue space and one of our targets is to improve our overall capability to support a statewide uptake in flood rescue capability,” he said.

He said it is “vitally important” for rescue agencies to work together and participate in co-ordinated training.

“That is the best way that we will be able to save lives during a real statewide emergency.”

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers are from Point Danger, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Forster Tuncurry, Lemon Tree Passage, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lakes, Central Coast, Hawkesbury, Cottage Point, Middle Harbour, Port Jackson, Sydney, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and Tuross Moruya.

Marine rescue NSW volunteers readying for the statewide flood capability training exercise "Who Let the Boats Out" planned for February 3.

An opportunity to test the waters of their capacity and skill without the real-world pressure will show the best ways multiple organisations can work together in a crisis.

Following the recommendations of the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry and funding from the NSW government, Marine Rescue NSW has been building capability and capacity to support the NSW SES and other agencies during significant emergencies.

Mr Whittaker said Marine Rescue NSW’s new custom designed multipurpose vessels would be involved in the exercise.

The vessels are shared across the state as rescue assets that will be deployed outside normal areas of operations.

“Whilst our members have been trained on the craft and inducted on them, it is important to put them into real training situations out of our normal operating areas,” Mr Whittaker said.

“When we do these activities with agencies like the NSW SES it allows us to put our craft into a flood rescue context and to develop our skills with that in mind.

“The community can be assured that in the event of a real emergency on our waterways this Saturday, our rescue craft and volunteer crews at our 46 units across NSW will be ready to respond.”