Yes, it's a story in its own right, probably worth investigating because the basic concept was sound. Drag a rope over the target and drop the gear.
I think there were incidents of life threatening nature around Merimbula at the time that could have been addressed but powers to be stopped it.
Similar thing happened when a twin engine helicopter couldn't be found and a circling F27 had to leave left some poor sod to drown in Bass Strait. There were a stack of single engine machines ready, available, and willing to help.
Perhaps someone else can shed some light.
The end result of these examples is that instead of "fostering" to help improve the basic principles the "regulator" just worked on what was in black and white and people died.
No flexibility, no common sense, no duty of care above beyond the dogmatic written word of the day. Remember the definition of a "MERCY FLIGHT"- Pull that one today and see what happens.
Stupidity still happens and in logarithmatically increasing proportions perpetrated by mindless narrow minded overpaid dimwits.