Crisis management exercises are regularly conducted by Seychelles maritime authorities, with the support of international organisations, namely European Union. The European Union is particularly involved in strengthening the maritime security in the Indian Ocean with EUNAVFOR Atalanta operation (European Navy vessels patrolling and monitoring the IO waters), and the Critical Maritime Routes programme, including the EU CRIMARIO project.
In collaboration with CRIMARIO, Seychelles authorities have organised a crisis management exercise, simulating an oil spill pollution in Seychellois waters. Following this crisis scenario both animation and coordination cells activated the national contingency plan. Several agencies participated to the simulation: DRDM (Division of Risk and Disaster Management), SMSA (Seychelles Maritime Security Administration), Coast guard, Port Authority, Ministry of Environment, Fishery, Seypec, Vessel charter, etc. At the end of the exercise, a debriefing was conducted to identify possible avenues for enhancement and to further update the national urgency plan. This table-top exercise benefited from the expertise of Cedre, a French organisation specialised in response to accidental water pollution, of French Navy and Italian Coast Guard.
For further information about the CRIMARIO project, visit Twitter, LinkedIn and the CMR website.
