There'll be a number of rescue vessels on the water near Motiti Island as the Police Search and Rescue Team, Coastguard and Surf Life Saving Clubs are hold the annual Search and Rescue Exercise on Sunday.

The exercise tests the intergroup coordination of a multi-agency event both at a management level and with the search assets, says sergeant Craig Madden of Police Search and Rescue.

Teams from the Mount Omanu and Papamoa surf life saving clubs, and coastguard units from Tauranga Waihi Beach and Maketu will be involved.

'The exercise is very timely as it is the start of our summer when there is a remarkable increase in the amount of water based activities, which inherently means more incidents requiring Search and Rescue,” says Craig.

'If the public took some simple precautions it reduces the chances of getting into trouble. Telling someone where you are going and when to expect you back means if you do get into trouble we can get to you quicker.

'Skippers are also reminded to check the marine weather forecast before you leave home and make sure you have lifejackets for everyone on board.”