The presence of a SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) helicopter on Fish Hoek Beach last week had social media groups buzzing.

Some said it was part of a film shoot while others speculated that there had been an emergency at the beach.

However, it turned out to be an air-sea rescue exercise, according to AMS spokesperson Venessa Horn.

Ms Horn said the exercise, which involved the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness Emergency Medical Services, Lifesaving South Africa (LSA), and the South African Police Service Diving Unit, in partnership with AMS, took place on Friday, January 17.

It was a collaborative multi-disciplinary rescue operation aimed at testing and enhancing the emergency response capabilities of all the organisations involved.

She said the focus was on sea rescues, with the primary goal of ensuring that all participating organisations, including air and sea rescue units, medical personnel, and ground support teams, are fully prepared to respond efficiently to emergencies along the treasured Western Cape coast.

“The exercise proved vital for refining operational procedures, improving inter-agency coordination, and testing the readiness of equipment and personnel in realistic, high-pressure scenarios,” she said.

Participants worked together to test not only the technical skills of the rescue teams but also the coordination between diverse groups, including communication protocols and decision-making processes in time-sensitive situations as well as assessing how well various teams can collaborate in a real- world emergency, ensuring a seamless response to critical incidents.

AMS, she said, plays a pivotal role in emergency responses in the Western Cape.

As the sole aero-medical contractor for the Western Cape Department Department of Health and Wellness, AMS assists in conducting search and rescue operations and transferring critically ill or injured patients across the province.

“As Southern Africa's only provider of a comprehensive suite of air-ambulance, rural health outreach, and rescue services, AMS is an essential partner in delivering life-saving medical care to both urban and remote communities,” she said.

AMS operates a fleet of one fixed-wing aircraft based in Cape Town and two helicopters - one in Cape Town and another in Oudtshoorn - ensuring rapid access to advanced medical care across the province.

The organisation, she said, regularly engages in joint training exercises with EMS and other key stakeholders to ensure their teams are well-prepared for any emergency.

AMS CEO Farhaad Haffejee said that these exercises are crucial for maintaining high standards of readiness and ensuring that AMS can continue to deliver vital services to the people of the Western Cape.

“Whether it's a mountain rescue, sea rescue, or air ambulance operation, AMS is committed to saving lives and ensuring that critical patients receive the best possible care,” he said.

The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) helicopter on Fish Hoek Beach. Picture: Liezel Genis

Participants in the multi-disciplinary rescue operation, including members of the South African Police Service Diving Unit, with the AMS helicopter. Picture: Liezel Genis

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AMS helicopter rescue exercise sparks social media buzz