Officers from the Hervey Bay Water Police and RACQ Life Flight Rescue crew (Bundaberg) undertook their six monthly water winch recency training on Oct. 14 out from Woodgate Beach (near Childers).

Every six months, the RACQ Life Flight Rescue crew are required to conduct this recency to ensure they are prepared to safely conduct water rescues – including winching people from the water and rescuing stricken vessels.

This time, the Hervey Bay Water Police assisted in their training, leaving the Hervey Bay Harbour early on Thursday, Oct. 14 and travelling offshore from Woodgate.

From 9am through to 12pm, various simulation exercises were undertaken in partnership with the RACQ Life Flight Rescue crew and members from Hervey Bay Water Police.

Prior to the commencement of training, one of the RACQ Life Flight Rescue crew members was winched down to the Water Police vessel.

The first exercise consisted of a water rescue of a stranded person at sea, where an officer from the Water Police vessel was required to float offshore a short distance from the vessel and the RACQ Life Flight Rescue crew were required to conduct a water rescue, returning the person to the mainland.

It was interesting to see the backdraft from the helicopter so close to the water and the techniques required to ensure a safe rescue.

The additional exercises consisted of what would be required of stricken vessel, such as receiving a life raft from the RACQ Life Flight Rescue helicopter, the requirements of members and crew to ensure their safety and securing the vessel and rescuing people from the vessel.

A further exercise was then undertaken where another officer from the Water Police was required to be rescued and helicoptered back to the safety of the mainland again.

Weather conditions play such a big part in ensuring the safe rescue of crew members and the safety of those in the RACQ Life Flight Rescue helicopter.

The weather offshore consisted of winds at about 15knots in a northerly direction, and while some on the vessel (who don’t have sea legs) thought it was a little rough, the conditions were ideal for the training.

It is so important to consider all the weather conditions, your skills surrounding boat safety and most importantly ensuring you have all the necessary equipment when embarking on any water activities.

Conditions can deteriorate so quickly on the water, which is why it is so important to have all the boating equipment in working order.

It was an absolute pleasure and most definitely a revelation for those non-Water Police officers (aka this Senior Constable) to see just how much work is involved in keeping those out on the water safe.

A massive thank you to the crew from RACQ Life Flight Rescue and the Water Police officers for providing the opportunity to undertake this training.

This press release was prepared and distributed by the Hervey Bay Water Police of the Queensland Police Service.