2017 RAMOGEPOL Exercise 4 and 5 October in the Bay of Hyères

La « Vigilante », navire de sauvetage monégasque © Secrétariat Ramoge Monaco

Every year, in connection with the RAMOGE Agreement, the States parties undertake a joint training exercise to prepare for dealing with a large-scale marine pollution incident

The forthcoming "RAMOGEPOL 2017" exercise will be held on 4 and 5 October 2017. It is being organised by the Mediterranean Maritime Prefecture and will take place off the coast of the Var, in Hyères harbour, an area that is very strategic environmentally and with regard to tourism.

This new exercise, in an operational format, will enable each country to mobilise its anti-pollution resources on site; a crisis unit will also be activated. In addition, the POLMAR* Terre plan will be enacted in association with the Prefecture of the Var, making it possible to train personnel in land-based pollution control methods.

Italy and Monaco, which are involved as part of the mutual assistance framework set out in the RAMOGEPOL plan, will each send maritime resources to strengthen the French resources that are available to treat the simulated pollution. Monaco's Marine and Airport Police Division will mobilise the "Vigilante" rescue ship, with the aim of containing this pollution in a delineated area (cf photo1).

Finally, on 5 October, the Prefecture of the Var will undertake the land-based crisis management training component by activating its departmental operational centre, with the deployment of POLMAR Terre resources.

The aim of this type of exercise is to activate all potential players, so that together they can achieve the best possible operational result for the protection of our waters and coastline. These training sessions improve the ability of the pollution response team to react to and combat pollution.

The numerous joint operational and cooperation activities undertaken since 1976 bear witness to the long-term sustainability of this Agreement with regard to protecting the marine environment and combating pollution at sea.

Scenario: On 4 October, at around 2 a. m., the deep-sea tug "ALTIMAR", towing a barge of heavy fuel oil, decides, in disregard of the regulations, to enter Hyères harbour to shelter from very bad offshore sea conditions. A breach occurs on the barge, releasing 450 tonnes of oil into the harbour. The convoy manages to reach the port of Toulon at 4 a.m. The commander of the "ALTIMAR" does not report the breach to the authorities immediately. At 7 a.m., the first signs of the presence of oil on the surface of the water become apparent. The pollution is then confirmed by CROSS MED in La Garde and the Porquerolles signalling station by sending POLREP messages.

* The Plan Polmar (pollution maritime) (maritime pollution) is a French emergency plan that is triggered in the event of accidental marine pollution. It was established in 1978 following the Amoco Cadiz disaster off the coast of Brittany in France. It is used to coordinate personnel and mobilise anti-pollution resources. It includes both a marine and a land-based component:

The maritime Polmar Mer plan is activated by the maritime Prefects when intervention at sea is required.
The land-based Polmar Terre plan is activated by the Prefects of the Departments concerned by the pollution, under the authority of the Minister of Interior, when the pollution reaches the shoreline. When coordination is necessary, it is led by the Prefects in the defence area.

Further Information:

RAMOGE Secretariat
Tel. (+377) 98 98 42 29

contact@ramoge.org

www.ramoge.org

PhotoCaption: The "Vigilante" Monegasque rescue ship ©DPAM