Pilbara MARSAR 2023
Pilbara Marine Search and Rescue Exercise
(MASAR)
26th-28th May 2023 – Port Walcott
EXERCISE OBJECTIVES
1. Review the Pilbara regional capabilities to respond to a MARSAR Incident.
2. Respond to a MARSAR incident as per the State Hazard Plan-Persons lost or in distress requiring a Search and Rescue Response (SAR Emergency).
3. Strengthen interagency relationships with bordering Marine Rescue Groups and associated Rescue Agencies.
4.Test Communications plan during MARSAR Exercise
EXERCISE DETAILS
1. Initial action came from notional local WAPol as per normal tasking procedures
2. The exercise was coordinated from a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at the MR Port Walcott Base in Wickham. There was a notional Police Incident Management Team (IMT) (For the purpose of the exercise the Police IMT was not be setup and operational).
3. The FOB consisted of the following personnel:
Sudo Water Police SARMC (Search and Rescue Mission Controller-Bec Benson)
WAPF Observers
Marine Rescue Radio Operators
4. The exercise was conducted in real time and notional SARMC to task marine and air assets as per normal dispatching procedure.
5. MR Port Walcott took charge of the search with Pilbara Seeker III as the OSC.
6. Terminology was as follows:
Anything found during the exercise referred to as “targets”
Do not communicate words such as “body”, “dead” or “deceased”.
“No Duff” for real situations outside of the exercise conditions.
7. There may be recreational vessels, life raft, dummies, lifejackets, debris etc. deployed within the exercise. As items are located these will be reported through the normal communications plan and the exercise will evolve in real time.
8. Targets will have signs attached to inform the public. On the back of these signs will be injects/info for rescue teams to act on. Social media will also inform public.
9. St John/WAPF/SES if available will be tasked with Marine – Nominated vessels to provide inductions prior to heading to search area.
10. CHC Helicopters will be involved in the exercise
11. All helicopter work will be carried out between the aircraft and Dampier Angel
12. Helmets to be worn by anyone on deck while aircraft is dropping or lowering lines/objects/person from above
13. All other vessels to remain at aircrafts 3 o’clock position, 30-40m from the downwash
14. Only Dampier Angel is to communicate with the aircraft, all other vessels may listen in on VHF 72
15. All vessels will follow any instructions given by Dampier Angel
Water Winching:
Max 2 divers in the water at one time
Helmets, long clothing and foam jackets to be worn at all times by those being winched