Chopper crews in training before busy season

VOLUNTEERS working onboard the Westpac Life Saver Rescue helicopter have been undertaking some training in the lead up to the busy summer season.

Lifesaving operations manager Greg Scott said a crew headed out on the helicopter near Fairhaven Surf Club last Friday to carry out some training.

“They were also running an educational session with the Advanced Lifesaving Camp we had occurring in the area all week,” Mr Scott said.

Volunteers are gearing up to conduct regular patrols across the Bellarine and Surf Coast in Lifesaver 36, which is based at Barwon Heads Airport from November.

During the last summer patrol season, the helicopter crew investigated shark sightings at Collendina, towards Point Lonsdale, 13th Beach, and Fairhaven, which was classified as a “hot spot”.

But while shark sightings were a big factor with summer’s patrols, they weren’t the crew’s primary focus.

“We are out there to concentrate on beach safety, keeping an eye out if anyone is in trouble in the water, or if they should be swimming in another area,” volunteer Jack Slykhuis said.