Police SAR, Coastguard New Zealand, and Taylors Mistake and Sumner surf lifesaving clubs have been working together to bring their expertise to the training sessions.
SAR squad member Constable Tom Denman said there is a need for more search and rescue officers with experience in marine operations.
“We need police SAR members who understand DVI (disaster victim identification) and SAR operational processes, but we also need people with experience and skill operating in this type of unique marine environment.”
A surf lifeguard himself, Denman identified the missing piece of the puzzle.
“Surf Life Saving New Zealand are experts in the inshore rescue space,” said Denman.
Police SAR members who are already surf lifesaving club members were selected for the training sessions due to their pre-existing skills. The advanced training is needed for victim recovery at sea.
“It’s often in choppy and surging seas and requires navigation and entry from the water onto the rocky base of the cliffs. It can be dangerous and not everyone is confident in that environment,” said Denman.
“Our role is to teach them how to interpret what the surf does and what areas of rocks are safe,” he said.
The training also aims to provide more capable body recovery police, so surf lifesaving club members do not need to recover bodies themselves.
“If the police have specialised people, then they can deal with that. We don’t want to expose surf lifesaving members to unnecessary trauma.”
De Beer said more training sessions in the coming months are likely.
