**** Info via Halifax SAR
Sonar training exercise results in large Search and Rescue Exercise in Kearney Lake
HSAR participated in a Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREx) which was conducted in the Kearney Lake area of Halifax on Saturday, May 7.
HSAR has been involved with several searches where it was highly likely the subject was in one of the regions many lakes.
While team members have been actively engaged searching shorelines and surface searching via boat, visual surface searches come with a very low probability of detection of a finding a submerged subject, unless, on, or near, the surface of the water.
It was determined from ten years of data that the HSAR deployed our Marine Unit on 23 incidents involving bodies of water.
Ten of these involved significant water searches where sonar may have been utilized to advantage. To increase effectiveness and efficiency in search operations and guided by the support of Councilor Tony Mancini and all HRM councilors, HSAR added sonar search capability to our Marine unit recently.
During a training exercise with the new unit, a kayak belonging to the MASKWA Aquatic Club was located in approximately 50’ of water. The boat has an approximate replacement value of $7,500.
An independent dive operation led by Torpedo Rays Scuba Adventures will be working with HSAR to locate the boat and bring it to the surface, where it can be placed back in service for the community with Maskwa.
Representatives from Halifax Search & Rescue, Maskwa Aquatic Club, and Torpedo Rays Scuba Adventures were involved during the scenario.
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