On Tuesday, April 14, the inner waters of the Port of Arrecife will be the focal point for Scenario XI of the MARSEC-26 exercise, an initiative by the Spanish Navy designed to evaluate and enhance emergency response capabilities in maritime environments. This drill will simulate the discovery and subsequent deactivation of an explosive device, activating relevant maritime security protocols.
The coordination of this significant exercise falls under the Arrecife Naval Command, and will involve a wide array of entities. These include units from the Armed Forces, various civil organizations, and private companies, all working collaboratively to ensure the success and effectiveness of the drill.
The main objective of Scenario XI of the MARSEC-26 exercise will be the deactivation of an explosive device found in the inner waters of the Port of Arrecife.
In addition to explosive deactivation, the drill will address other crucial objectives for port security. These include activating port security protocols, closing inner navigation zones, evacuating personnel from docked vessels, and evacuating an injured person during diving operations, followed by their admission to the hyperbaric chamber at the Hospital Insular de Lanzarote. These scenarios will allow for the practice of coordination between public and private actors.
A total of sixteen entities will participate in the exercise. The Navy will contribute operational units such as the Arrecife Naval Command, COVAM in Cartagena, the Canary Islands Diving Unit, MARCAN, and the Maritime Action Ship “RELÁMPAGO”. The Army will provide a helicopter from BHELMA VI. Institutions such as the Maritime Captaincy, the Port Authority, the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Security and Emergency Consortium, the Hospital Insular de Lanzarote, the Arrecife City Council, and Cruz Roja will also be present. The list is completed by the Arrecife Pilots and private companies like HIPEROX Lanzarote, TELAMON Maritime Services, and Naviera Global Ports.
MARSEC-26, part of the Navy's annual exercises, aims to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation in maritime emergencies. The drill in Arrecife will provide a vital opportunity for all participants to practice their response to a critical event, ensuring the protection of maritime spaces and the safety of people and assets in the port. This exercise is fundamental to the national maritime security strategy, addressing risk prevention, protection of port infrastructures, and institutional coordination against potential threats.
