Rescue vessels will be out in force in the Whitsundays this weekend. Picture: Supplied. News Staff writers Premium Content Subscriber only North Queensland emergency services will join forces for the ultimate skills test this weekend, with the Whitsundays playing host to the annual Volunteer Marine Rescue Northern Zone joint search and rescue exercise, aka SAREX. Whitsunday Water Police, SES Airlie Beach, and QAS Cannonvale, are among the groups joining VMR crews from across the region in the three-day event, which kicks off this Friday, May 7. Along with Townsville Coastguard and RACQ CQ Rescue, they will run through simulated search and rescue scenarios to brush up on their skills in preparation for real-life emergencies.