In the harbor of Hyères, a dozen nautical means, including Italian and Monegasque ships, scan the Mediterranean.
While the sea is very agitated, they are at work to absorb four layers of hydrocarbons, today simulated by rice husk, which a boat deliberately rejected during the night.
Prior to these movements, the alert was given, on Wednesday May 10, to the operations center (CENTOPS) for the Mediterranean shortly before 6 a.m. thanks to satellite detection.
From this moment, it is the maritime prefecture of the Mediterranean which has the hand on the operations: “It all depends on the area where the pollution is. Today, it is France which is requesting assistance from Italian and Monegasque partners. It is France which is coordinating the means.” explains the maritime prefect, vice-admiral Gilles Boidevezi.
Historic oil spill in 1991
If the sequence of the day is an exercise (RAMOGEPOL23), the threat is very real. In October 2018, a Tunisian vessel, Ulysses, collides with the Cypriot container ship CLS Virginia, north of Cap Corse on the high seas.
At the time, the accident caused no injuries but more than 520 cubic meters of hydrocarbon, or 520,000 liters, had escaped from the holds.
If only 10% of the spilled fuel reached the coast, it is probably thanks to the work and coordination of the French, Italian and Monegasque authorities.
In 1991, it was the tanker Haven which causes a giant oil spill, the largest in the Mediterranean, following its explosion regarding ten kilometers from the coast of Genoa.
While France, Italy and the Principality of Monaco had already concluded an agreement, in 1976, to implement joint actions to limit marine pollution, this historic tragedy will allow a joint intervention plan called RAMOGEPOL.
Where do the hydrocarbons go?
Aboard the Chartered Support and Assistance Vessel (BSSA) Pioneer, the admiral says: “The objective of this exercise is to strengthen our bonds between partners. People meet, work together and discuss.” This test also aims to ensure the effectiveness of the device and equipment.
Thus, the stern of the BSSA Pioneer leaves behind her red buoys, “bras”whose role is to drag the pollutants to a pocket called “pool”. If the device seems effective, what regarding the 1,000 cubic meters of hydrocarbons that the Pioneer is able to recover?
The four-star claims: “We work with a company in Marseilles that is used to treating pollutants. We have the guarantee that, whatever the product or the quantity that we bring back to earth, everything will be treated.”
Then he concludes: “They also have the ability to clean the boat and the facilities that we use.”
This type of exercise takes place approximately every 6 months, in different areas of the Mediterranean.
