Updated 19 July
There is an overnight SAR exercise being planned for the weekend of 26/27 July. A reminder that registrations are due 19 July.
The exercise will take place on the south coast of Wellington between Owhiro Bay and Cape Terawhiti, a region well known as rugged, wild and inhospitable. Over the years more than a few ships have come to grief in this area. The task of rescuing people who have made it to shore will be major. Wellington SAR will be called to help with this task. At this time Wellington LSAR have limited knowledge of the operational requirements for this area. Issues such as the best access routes, the most reliable radio channels, the best locations for triage and evacuation of injured persons etc need to be better defined. More importantly, the ability of SAR teams to operate and overnight in this rugged area needs to be tested. The lack of fresh water for example is a major issue for SAR teams. For AREC useful communications is the major factor. The SAREX planned for July 26 and 27 will address these and other questions. The answers provided by the SAREX will feature in the SAR Pre-plan for a major marine event on the south coast.
AREC's task for this exercise is to:
AREC well operate out of the Ops HQ area and will not be yomping around the coast with the SAR teams unless members have a particular desire to do so.
The draft schedule is follows:
To be involved in LSAR operations AREC members must be team players and be assessed as competent to provide LSAR operational communications. This exercise is a great training opportunity to gain and demonstrate those competencies so you can be called on in future operations. Less experienced people will be teamed up with more experienced people.
This is also a great opportunity for people who might be interested in providing LSAR communications and to find out what LSAR communications is actually about.
Individuals who wish to participate in the exercise must register by 19 July by contacting Brian Fearnley using this link http://www.vhf.org.nz/user/16/contact, with SAREX and their name in the Subject; and the following information in the message:
AREC section branch number
(Please note the link will not be monitored after 1100 24 July)
When the Karori / Ohariu Valley location is confirmed people who have registered will be advised by email along with any other details that come to hand.
Regards
Brian Fearnley
Deputy Section Leader (2)
Wellington VHF Group Inc.
"SAR is for the serious, not the well meaning": Wellington Land SAR June 08 News Letter