Over the past two days, the Danish search and rescue teams have been actively engaged in honing their life-saving skills during the annual SAREX 2023 exercise conducted by the Navy.
The Danish maritime search and rescue teams are always on standby, ready to respond and locate individuals in distress at sea, 24/7 throughout the year.
Regular training is essential to ensure that these teams remain sharp and well-prepared for real-life emergency situations. As part of their training, a multitude of units, including land-based teams, ships, an aircraft, and a helicopter, have been actively participating in the SAREX exercise in the waters off Frederikshavn.
The exercise aims to enhance coordination and cooperation among different units and authorities involved in maritime search and rescue operations. Communication is a crucial aspect, and challenges often arise due to the diverse backgrounds of the participants. Various entities are taking part in the exercise, including the national maritime operations center, the fire department, Helicopter Wing, Naval Home Guard, Air Home Guard, Danish Maritime Authority, Danish Fisheries Agency, Coastal Rescue Service, and other Navy units.
Lieutenant Commander Maria Kierulf Bisgaard, the exercise leader, emphasized the importance of practicing search and rescue operations in a collaborative environment. The exercise provides valuable insights into the capabilities of different units and enables the teams to optimize resource utilization during actual rescue missions.
During the exercise, realistic scenarios are simulated, such as missing swimmers or vessel collisions, where the teams practice rescuing injured individuals. Conscripts from the Danish Emergency Management Agency and the inspection ship Thetis play the roles of the injured persons. The Navy’s environmental vessel, Gunnar Seidenfaden, and the transport vessel, Sleipner, are utilized in these training scenarios.