Marine Rescue unit in inter-agency training exercise
?" flood rescue operation training event.
With several vessels from the NSW SES Gosford Unit, along with the Erina Rural Fire Brigade, took part in a range of emergency response scenarios.
The scenarios included fire drills, boat breakdown, emergency anchoring, transferring of casualties between vessels, vessel towing, boat-based casualty recovery, and person overboard.
All scenarios were aimed at replicating events that can occur during significant state-wide flood events.
"We even had to manage a real-life assist midway through the event, adding an extra level of realism to things," said the Marine Rescue unit's Commander Ian Morrow.
"A member of the public encountered the distressed vessel, and seeing us on operation further north on Brisbane Water came to advise us.
"We dispatched our rescue water craft to provide rapid response and assistance and to confirm the issues.
"Our vessel then quickly attended and provide a tow to Gosford.
"It was great to have the SES onboard to observe how we do things.
"It was fantastic for us to work closely with the local Gosford SES team, including having their members aboard our vessel.
"It was a great opportunity to share experiences, and we look forward to working closely together on further exercises."
One scenario was "Crew Person Overboard Drill and Recovery".
Volunteering for the role of "tea bag", given the amount of dunking he endured, was SES Gosford member Mr Peter Hull.
He is pictured being rescued by Marine Rescue operator Mr Shane Rigney.
Peter was subsequently re-dunked, and retrieved aboard the main rescue vessel.
"It was a valuable inter-agency cooperation and training exercise."
SOURCE:
Social media, 8 Feb 2025
David Wicks, Marine Rescue Central Coast
Photo: Steven Constantine