Sinking ship exercise will test rescuers

A marine search and rescue exercise will be held today on a sinking vessel between Turakina Beach and the Raumai Bombing Range.

Central District Police are running the exercise with about 30 people.

The exercise will be run from Wanganui Coastguard's newly-renovated premises and will begin early today and conclude mid-afternoon, Sergeant Bill Nicholson, Central District Police search and rescue co-ordinator, says.

"Boaties operating in the Wanganui and Manawatu areas can expect to hear some radio activity on marine channels 85 (Wanganui), 64 (Foxton), and 61 (Tangimoana)."

Police Search and Rescue, Coastguard, Surf Life Saving personnel and the Rescue Co-ordination Centre NZ will be taking part, with some locally-based aircraft.

"The exercise will provide an opportunity for the various search and rescue assets to work together and evaluate and improve on practised search and rescue procedures and techniques," Mr Nicholson said.