Marine rescue services run big practice

February 1998

MARINE rescue and emergency services, north and south, combine forces to test the reaction to a seaborne disaster.

An extensive exercise is the first time the Warrenpoint marine major accident plan is put into action, and so large is the scale of activity, members of the public are advised not to be alarmed.

It involves a simulated collision between a rollon roll-off ferry approaching Warrenpoint, and an Omeath passenger ferry which sinks.

The ro-ro vessel sustains damage and leaks thousands of gallons of oil into Carlingford Lough, while a fire as it comes alongside Warrenpoint harbour, requires the rescue of six crew members.

The early-morning exercise is co-ordinated by Belfast Coastguard and the Irish Marine Emergency Service, and includes ambulance services, gardaí, RUC, Louth county council, civil defence, coastguard units and lifeboats, among others.

A major search and rescue operation takes place in the area, with joint cross-border co-operation, and casualty reception areas are set up in Omeath and Warrenpoint.

As Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Michael Woods TD would be visiting the site in a real-life situation, so he attends the exercise.

‘Cross-border co-operation is already a vital part of marine emergency cover on the island of Ireland,’ he says.

‘ Testing that co-operation answers important questions on the adequacy of emergency response, particularly in shared areas or in the event of a call for assistance from either service.

‘We would all prefer to resolve these questions now, and not to wait for a real emergency,’ Minister Woods adds.