Police warn a marine search and rescue exercise will take place in the Foxton area this Saturday the June 18, between 3-7pm, weather permitting.

The final part of the exercise will involve the launching of up to five red parachute flares, five red handheld distress flares, orange smoke distress signals and red laser pin point distress flares.

The flares will be launched from a position directly off the Manawatu River mouth several kilometres out to sea and be managed from the local Surf Life Saving premises.

This culmination of the exercise will take place between 5-7pm and is an excellent opportunity for members of the public to familiarise themselves with what distress flares look like.

This operation is being run by Manawatu Police Search and Rescue (SAR) in conjunction with Manawatu and Wanganui Coastguard and Surf Life Saving units.

Source: New Zealand Police.