News
May 24, 2017
For the first time in 20 years a US Coastguard aircraft has carried out training exercises in New Zealand waters.
A dramatic "rescue" operation saw a sinking boat firing flares, a US Coastguard Hercules aircraft dropping a life raft and the Auckland Rescue Helicopter winching up two patients amid choppy waters.
The Hauraki Gulf "rescue" was held as part of the Pacific Search and Rescue (PACSAR) conference, currently underway in Auckland.
This is the first time New Zealand has hosted the PACSAR conference, which is aimed at improving regional collaboration and co-ordination.
More than 100 people from 26 countries are at the event, including 15 representatives from the US.
Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) manager Mike Hill said the aim of the demonstration was to show how complex life-saving missions can be.
"Most workers in the field never see real-life search and rescue missions as they are always so remote.
"The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest ocean and sometimes it will take a vessel several days to reach those in need.
"So, the more people understand about how these missions operate, the more lives will be saved," Hill said.
Hill said search and rescue challenges in the Pacific were unique.
"The Pacific is notorious for its changeable weather, the fact that the majority of the population live in coastal areas and that the region is popular for sailors."
The theme of the 2017 PACSAR event was "prep, check, know" – prepare your boat, check your gear and make sure you know the "rules of the road" on the water.
"If you prepare, you are more likely to make it back home," Hill said.
