Police and partner agencies have run a large search and rescue exercise in the Bay of Islands simulating a cruise ship tender with 50 passengers striking Brampton Reef, dispersing people along the coastline and resulting in five simulated fatalities.

The three-day training in Paihia, held 17–19 April, was designed around a realistic mass-casualty maritime incident, Police said. Detective Sergeant Paul Overton, Northland Police Search and Rescue Coordinator, said the scenario involved passengers — including international tourists — swept away by tidal currents after the impact.

“Most passengers were rescued safely, with five simulated fatalities,” Overton said. “With an increasing number of cruise ships visiting the Bay of Islands annually, this situation reflects the type of maritime incident we could realistically be called to respond to.”

The response brought together LandSAR volunteers from Northland and Whangārei, Coastguard, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC), the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ and New Zealand Red Cross. Overton said LandSAR teams played a pivotal role and turnout from volunteers was strong.

Coastguard provided drift modelling to guide searches on the water. Specialist cliff rescue teams were deployed after some passengers were found stranded on a rocky cliff face where water extraction wasn’t possible. Surf Life Saving crews from Waipū and Ruakākā searched shorelines and adjacent waters using IRBs and jet skis.

New Zealand Red Cross volunteers set up an inflatable medical tent to assess and treat arriving patients — the first time Red Cross has taken part in a Northland SAREx. An Incident Management Team coordinated the multi-agency operation from a woolshed at Bayley’s Farm.

Overton said the exercise was aimed at refining the way agencies work together during large-scale events. “We work alongside Land SAR in a lot of the rescues we undertake,” he said. “Training exercises such as this ensure all agencies are prepared and able to work together effectively during large scale disasters.”

He noted how often Police rely on the commitment of volunteers. “These relationships, and a clear understanding of each role, are pivotal to successful search and rescue operations. These exercises ensure we are ready for the real thing.”