Maritime Security Exercise MARSEC-22

Exercise MARSEC-2022 is an advanced maritime security exercise organized by the Spanish Navy, which brings together the endeavors of different civilian and military organizations and agencies to achieve the common goal of safeguarding national interests in different maritime areas.

As part of the MARSEC-2022 exercise, thirteen scenarios are being considered in different locations of Spain (Cartagena, Motril, Asturias, Canary Islands, Alicante, Malaga, Galicia, etc.)

On May 10th, off the Ibiza coast, a drill was carried out implementing the NCAGS procedure (Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping). Its purpose was to facilitate the normal development of military operations in the presence of (or with the participation of) merchant vessels, as well as to avoid interferences to shipping in the areas of military operations or exercises. This mutual support benefits both merchant ships and the different military navies.

On May 11th, another exercise was conducted in which a Navy OPV, the ‘Infanta Cristina’ while on a maritime surveillance mission in waters of the Alboran Sea, located a skiff adrift with 50 sub-Saharan immigrants. Several of them had fallen into the water and due to the bad weather conditions, it was decided to rescue them immediately and not wait for the services of the responsible agency: SASEMAR (Rescue and Maritime Security Organization in its Spanish initials). In addition, in waters of the Miño River (NW Spain), another exercise was also carried out in which the disappearance of a yacht and her occupants was simulated after an accident in the river. On this occasion, it is worth mentioning the participation in the drills of the ‘Marinha Portuguesa’, all this to improve the coordination and cooperation between the different administrations and agencies involved in the international section of the Miño River.

Another exercise carried out yesterday morning was the simulation of the discovery of an unexploded bomb on the beach of Arnao (Asturias), which was deactivated by divers from the Ferrol EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Diving Unit. This exercise was performed in order to put into practice the procedures of the inter-agency coordination system in case of finding unexploded ammunition near the coast.

On the other hand, another exercise took place this morning in the port of Cartagena (SE Spain). It consisted of a fire drill on a ship anchored nearby and the subsequent treatment of injured personnel at the pier of the cruise terminal. The main purpose of this exercise was to improve the coordination and cooperation between the different authorities involved in a maritime emergency in waters of the port of Cartagena.