2023-05-11 20:30:00
In the harbor of Hyères, a dozen nautical means, including Italian and Monegasque ships, scan the Mediterranean in a well-organized ballet.
While the sea is very rough, they are at work to absorb four layers of hydrocarbons, today simulated by the husk of rice, which would have been voluntarily rejected by a boat in 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, France is activating a request for aid from Italian and Monegasque partners. It is also she who coordinates the resources. “Explains to us the maritime prefect, vice-admiral Gilles Boidevezi.
In the harbor of Hyères, a dozen nautical means, including Italian and Monegasque ships, scan the Mediterranean in a well-organized ballet.
While the sea is very rough, they are at work to absorb four layers of hydrocarbons, today simulated by the husk of rice, which would have been voluntarily rejected by a boat in 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, France is activating a request for aid from Italian and Monegasque partners. It is also she who coordinates the resources.“Explains to us the maritime prefect, vice-admiral Gilles Boidevezi.
If the sequence of the day is an exercise (RAMOGEPOL23), the threat is very real. In October 2018, a Tunisian vessel Ulysses collided with the Cypriot container ship CLS Virginianorth of Cap Corse on the high seas.
At the time, the accident caused no injuries but more than 520 cubic meters of hydrocarbons, 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.
Historic oil spill in 1991
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 common actions to limit marine pollution, this historic tragedy will allow the creation of a common intervention plan : RAMOGEPOL.
Aboard the Chartered Support and Assistance Vessel (BSSA) Pioneer the admiral says: The objective of this exercise is to strengthen our links between partners. People meet, work together and discuss. ”
Among the other objectives of the day, to ensure the efficiency of the device and the equipment.
Thus, the stern of the BSSAPioneer leaves trailing behind it red buoys, “arms”, whose role is to drag the pollutants to a pocket called the “swimming pool”.
Where does the collected hydrocarbons go?
If the device seems effective,quidof the 1,000 cubic meters of hydrocarbons that thePioneerhas the ability to recover? The four-star says: “We work with a company in Marseilles which is used to treating polluted products. We have the guarantee that, whatever its nature or its quantity brought ashore, the product will be treated.” He concludes: “they also have the ability to clean the boat and the facilities that we used.”
This type of exercise takes place approximately every 6 months, in different areas of the Mediterranean.
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