The airport conducted a sea-rescue exercise at Nai Yang Beach, just north of Sirinath National Park and close to PIA, from 4pm to 5pm. The sea rescue exercise was organised by PIA, and it was the first exercise of its kind for PIA and all six airports operated by Thai Airport Co Ltd who all carried out rescue drills.
PIA Director, Monrudee Gettuphan; director of the Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre, Acting Sub Lt Trakul Totham and Capt Pongjak Uraiman, Commander of Naval Air Section led the drill with representatives from Phuket Air Traffic Control, community leaders and officials from PIA also in attendance.
The drill also received support from Royal Navy Third Area Command who provided helicopters, and the Marine Police who brought out dinghies.
The simulated exercise involved an emergency response to a private Super King Air 350 jet carrying 10 passengers crashing into the sea because of strong winds.
The crashed was about 1 kilometres from shore and survivors were floating in the sea, while jet sunk. Sea rescue teams comprising of air rescue, divers and lifeguards were dispatch to help all passengers who were later taken to hospital.