Rescue units from the Illawarra to the Victorian border will be in action on the seas and in the sky near Batemans Bay on Saturday and Sunday, November 23-24.
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NSW water police, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Westpac Lifesaver helicopter will all be in town.
Volunteers from Marine Rescue Monaro will participate, including members from inland units Alpine Lakes and Moama and coastal regions Batemans Bay, Tuross, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula and Eden.
Members will go through theory, lectures and presentations at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on Saturday, before they get their chance out on the water on Sunday.
Marine Rescue Monaro regional operations manager Glenn Sullivan said the activities gave groups the chance to practise simulated exercises and searches in areas that were previously black spots.
Communication on vessels in those areas, including rescue vessels, was difficult, but new installations at Bermagui and Batemans Bay helped the whole Far South Coast.
"We've done all the surveys and we're confident ... but we're running the exercises to ensure what we've promised and surveyed is actually happening," he said.
The search locations would also be in popular fishing and recreational areas.
He said the weekend would give rescuers an opportunity to hone their skills prior to the peak boating season throughout summer and the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in December.
He said the Illawarra and Monaro units would be most affected by the race.
Throughout the weekend, Marine Rescue members would have the chance to mingle with other units they rarely met, and share techniques and experiences.
He said out-of-region units would stay for the entire weekend and be accommodated locally.
About 110 participants were involved, plus support personnel and catering.
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