A live airborne search and rescue exercise is being staged on Hove Lawns in Brighton on Wednesday lunchtime.
The demonstration, from 12.50pm to 13.30pm, is part of a two-day search and rescue conference, SAR 2015, for maritime and aviation professionals including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, HM Coastguard and members of the search and rescue community from across the world.
The city council’s convention bureau, VisitBrighton, secured the bid to bring the conference to the city for a second time after a successful event was held at the Grand Hotel in 2013. The business is said to be worth an estimated £500k of economic benefit to the city.
This year’s two day programme will take place at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Tuesday and Wednesday and include an exhibition, live and static demonstrations, keynote speakers, workshops and panel debates.
Topics for discussion will include humanitarian and disaster response, migrant offshore aid station (MOAS) and the role of non-Government organisations in SAR and SAR Operations in Offshore Oil & Gas.
Sophie Spence, Operations Manager, from Tangent Link, the organisers of the conference, said: “This important event in the international SAR calendar coincides with major changes in SAR developments in the UK and worldwide focus on the tragic events in the Mediterranean.
“The Hilton offers first-rate facilities and the space needed to accommodate the increased number of delegates the event now attracts and its seafront position makes it the perfect base from which to demonstrate first-hand the most up-to-date search and rescue techniques and training.”
VisitBrighton’s Sales Manager, Darren Johnson, adds:” Brighton’s coastal position lends itself perfectly to this event so we’re delighted to be welcoming the search and rescue delegation to the city for a second time.
“The live exercise is a spectacle in itself and highlights how these skilled professionals from the world over work to save the lives of those in danger both on land and at sea.”
Well, it’s 13.20 on Wednesday and I’ve brought my daughter to see the drama. But no search, no rescue, no helicopter! 🙁
we been up and down the beach, but no sign of this, got some very sad kids in tow
I’ve just spoken to the council press office – it’s been delayed, and should now be on at 2pm 🙂
2 very upset kids. Spent lunchtime on the beach waking up n down. Paid for 2 hours parking… Nothing
It was a demo as part of a professional conference. Not a children’s show with a curtain up time.