RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crews put water winch skills to the test

The exercise ensures the pilots and aircrew officers are always ready to respond to any emergency, which may occur on the water. Bundaberg RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crews have performed more than 15 missions involving rescues or searches, over water, since the beginning of the year, including rescuing a fisherman who was trapped in mangroves and helping Volunteer Marine Rescue to save two people from a sinking vessel off the coast.

The crew completed several scenarios, including dropping a life raft from the helicopter, winching to and from a Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) vessel, as well as to and from the rescue chopper.

Training technical complex tasks

"Water winching is the skill we need to practice the most," LifeFlight's Chief Aircrew Officer Simon Gray, said. "This type of training is probably some of the most technically complex tasks that we do, it really takes a lot of skill, and it's something that we have to practice, all the time."

Port of Bundaberg Manager Jason Pascoe said Gladstone Ports Corporation is proud to support RACQ LifeFlight Rescue with critical funding and training resources. “This team never stops. They are constantly updating their skills and GPC is humbled to be able to support the unique training required,” he said.