The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter will be joining forces today, Wednesday December 21, with Wild Oats XI as the maxi-yacht prepares for the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The crew of the lines honours favourite will complete rescue helicopter training at around 1.15 pm in the vicinity of Farm Cove on Sydney Harbour.

Key crew members will be briefed on rescue and recovery procedures by a Rescue Crew Officer from the Westpac Life Saver on board the yacht before the helicopter moves in and executes a ‘rescue’. To bring added realism to the scene, the crew will fire off a smoke flare prior to the helicopter arriving on the scene.

Based around a “Man Overboard” scenario, the Westpac Life Saver will locate a sailor that has fallen overboard the yacht but the yacht crew are unable to retrieve him due to the conditions.   A Rescue Crew Officer will be winched down near the yacht and secure the yachtie before they are both winched into the helicopter.

The public will be able to watch the entire exercise from the shoreline around Farm Cove.

“It is not often that we get to train with such a large and fast yacht such as Wild Oats XI and we are looking forward to the opportunity,” said Westpac Life Saver CEO, Stephen Leahy.

“We have two rescue helicopters based along the coast that are able to respond quickly to any emergency during the race from the time the gun goes on Boxing Day until the fleet are well into Bass Strait.”

“We wish Wild Oat XI and all the Rolex Sydney to Hobart fleet an enjoyable and safe race.  We really hope that the fleet don’t need our services,” said Mr Leahy.