A marine search and rescue exercise off the White Cliffs, North Taranaki, offered local emergency agencies valuable training in finding a ‘lost’ kayaker fishing in the area.

Taranaki Search and Rescue officer in charge Sergeant Andrew Wong Too​ said planning for the exercise operation focused on the scenario of finding a kayaker overdue while sea fishing off the North Taranaki coast.

”Sea fishing from kayaks is becoming an increasingly popular activity for many people in the region,” he said.

The exercise tested planning and managing the scenario, and co-ordinating communications between the various agencies involved in search and rescue operations, he said.

Taranaki Police, New Plymouth Coastguard, Cape Egmont Sea Rescue Trust, South Taranaki Coastguard, Surf Lifesaving NZ, Fire and Emergency, and LandSAR, together with the Rescue Co-ordination Centre NZ, were involved in the two-day exercise centred between Urenui and Tongapurutu.

“It was a successful day and an opportunity to develop search techniques between the agencies,” Wong Too said.

The remoteness of the search area and exposure to both the wind and current made the exercise challenging, he said.

Wong Too said people should be proud of the dedicated and skilful search and rescue operators available in times of emergencies in Taranaki.

“They are largely volunteers who give up their time to help others,” he said.

He said objects placed in the water for the exercise will come ashore, or drift, and may be found if they are not recovered during the search.

Police should be contacted if the objects are found, he said.