EMSA participates in Operation Breeze
Date
On 12 July, in the vicinity of Burgas, Bulgaria, EMSA participated in the operational exercise Breeze 2024 organised by the Bulgarian Navy together with the Bulgarian Maritime Administration and attended by the President of Bulgaria.
EMSA mobilised the stand-by oil spill recovery vessel Galaxy Eco, based in Varna, Bulgaria.
The vessel simulated oil spill recovery deploying its sweeping arms. During this exercise, the Galaxy Eco also demonstrated its at-sea dispersant spraying capabilities.
The onboard RPAS streamed video and data live to an observation vessel.
EMSA also mobilised for Breeze 2024 the high-speed oil containment and recovery system Current Buster 4 from its Equipment Assistance Service (EAS) stockpile in Varna, Bulgaria, which was deployed at sea by the organisers.
In order to provide additional support to the EU Member States’ pollution response mechanisms in a cost efficient way, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) operates, in European waters, a range of pollution response services consisting of a Network of Standby Oil Spill Response Vessels, the Equipment Assistance Service (EAS) including specialised stand-alone equipment arrangements, as well as dispersant stockpiles. In addition the Agency is tasked to support Member States in case of marine incidents involving chemicals. Since 2009, EMSA is providing expert advice fohazardous and noxious substances (HNS) through its MAR-ICE Network.
To achieve the level of performance for pollution response required by the Agency, the contracted services have to perform regular training, drills, Equipment Condition Tests and exercises.
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