Emergency services have completed a large-scale maritime rescue exercise in the Bay of Islands, simulating a fatal vessel incident to test coordination and response capabilities.
The three-day operation, held in Paihia from 17–19 April, was based on a scenario in which a cruise ship tender carrying 50 passengers struck Brampton Reef, leaving five people dead and others swept along the coastline by tidal currents.
Led by Police, the exercise brought together multiple agencies including Land Search and Rescue, Coastguard, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ, and the New Zealand Red Cross.
Teams carried out shoreline searches, cliff rescues, and on-water operations using IRBs and jet skis, while medical volunteers established a field treatment area for simulated casualties.
Police said the drill reflected the growing number of cruise ship visits to the region and the realistic risk of such incidents, with organisers emphasising the importance of inter-agency cooperation and volunteer support in preparing for real-world emergencies.
https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/04/24/2263765.html
synthetisch blood developped by DARPA
At a time we are supposed to reserving fuel? Smells fishy to me.
Were these drills carried out in 5 ~ 6 metre seas and hurricane winds?
Real world conditions are expected to be just that.