Response agencies attend search and rescue course

Local response agencies have enhanced their capabilities in search and rescue operations at sea following a training course at the Gibraltar University organised by the Gibraltar Port Authority.

The Search and Rescue training course was held last week as part of a collaborative initiative between multiple response agencies.

Operations staff from the Port Authority, the Marine Units of the Royal Gibraltar Police, the Gibraltar Defence Police, Customs and the Queen’s Harbour Master attended the five-day course.

“This course has provided an important training opportunity for the Port Authority staff, who are usually the first contact for any safety of life at sea incidents,” said Commodore Bob Sanguinetti, CEO and Captain of the Port. “We are pleased that our colleagues in the other marine response agencies could also benefit from the training”.

Tim Parker, head of SARtacs, an emergency response and search and rescue training and consultancy business based in the UK, provided the SAROps training.

The bespoke training included SAR administration, mission planning and on-scene coordination as well as daily syndicate exercises which manage the response to maritime search and rescue incidents.

“This SAR training course will further cement the close co-operation of the multiple essential maritime services we have at our disposal,” said Paul Balban, Minister of the Port. “It also enhances the already professional response Gibraltar provides to ensure that safety of life at sea is maintained to the highest standard.”