Don't let floating objects alarm you: Marine search and rescue exercise near Porirua

Don't be alarmed if you spot objects bobbing off the coast of Porirua tomorrow, it's a Marine Search and Rescue exercise.

Wellington Police Maritime Unit Sergeant Craig Pickering said they will be holding their Marine SAREX, a day-long marine search and rescue exercise based on the Mana coastline.

"We want to advise the public that there will be props or objects in the water. They will be clearly labelled and have contact details attached."

Teams will be deployed into search areas determined by weather and tide conditions on the day.

"This is an opportunity for Wellington District Police to engage with SAR partners in planning, implementing and evaluating a functional SAREX.

"It's our major training event for the year and will require police to collaborate with our SAR partners to manage the real deployment of SAR resources to a simulated incident, set in an operational environment."

The exercise involves up to 25 volunteers from Coastguard and Surf Lifesaving on the water and another 10 involved in exercise planning and control.

It will be used as an opportunity to organise and deploy resources in the initial response, and develop an effective action plan for managing a coordinated response from all teams involved.

"If found please leave them where they are, but if anyone thinks that there's something that looks real or may involve a real marine emergency, it should be reported to police by calling 111."