RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter rescue crews are creating plenty of buzz over the ocean on the Sunshine Coast this week with a series of water-winch training exercises.
The extensive three-day program will ensure LifeFlight’s highly skilled aircrew officers and pilots are ready to respond to emergencies on the water.
A number of scenarios are being executed, including dropping a life raft from the helicopter and winching from a Coast Guard vessel to the AW 139 rescue chopper hovering above.
The exercises simulate real-life emergency situations the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crews often face, ensuring their skills are up to date.
The training is being undertaken around two kilometres offshore in conjunction with Coast Guard Mooloolaba.
LifeFlight Chief Aircrew Officer Matt O’Rourke, said the training is a critical component of the aeromedical service’s commitment to the community by providing life-saving services 24-7, 365 days a year.
“There are a number of complexities and operational procedures we undertake with variables around ocean conditions, swell, vessel size and type, the condition of the patient and the equipment that might be required,” he said.
Mr O’Rourke said RACQ LifeFlight Rescue’s coastal bases at Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg were in high demand for ocean rescues, given the large volume of marine vessel activity.
Crews from the two bases have been tasked to four water winching missions this year, including winch-rescuing two people from the ocean after the boat they were in capsized, while another patient had to be winched from a cruise ship.
“There is a heavy water presence in these locations, including recreational vessels and boaties, trawlers and cruise ships. It’s a busy shipping channel and there is plenty of demand for our services,” he said.
LifeFlight Rescue crews support search and rescue efforts across 53 million square kilometres of land and sea for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
