The large scale Multinational Exercise NEMESIS-2017, has been conducted for the fourth consecutive year, today Wednesday the 17th of October 2017 from 09:00 until 14:00, within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, with the participation of SAR Units and Personnel from the Republic of Cyprus, Greece, Israel, France and the United Kingdom as well as the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and vessels of EDT Offshore and SAIPEM S.p.A.

Saipem’s giant crane vessel takes part in Multinational Exercise NEMESIS 2017 in Cyprus
Caption: Crane vessel Saipem 7000 - Image courtesy of JRCC Larnaca

The main objective of the exercise was to further develop the effective cooperation and coordination among all the involved agencies of the Republic of Cyprus and the neighboring and friendly States, on the prompt response to emergency situations onboard merchant vessels and oil/gas platforms, as well as other humanitarian operations in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Naval and Air SAR Units of the participating States took part in the exercise under the overall coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Larnaca from the new “ZENON” Coordination Center, the respective agencies of the Republic of Cyprus and the participating nations. The scenarios of the four phases included the threats and emergency situations that might occur in the Eastern Mediterranean, boarding operations on oil/gas platform, evacuation and rescue operations, massive rescue operations due to naval accident, as well as anti-pollution operations within the area of responsibility of the Republic of Cyprus.

12 warships, 8 air means and 3 vessels of the private sector, participated in the exercise. In specific, 1 Frigate and 1 Missile Boat of the Hellenic Navy, 1 Frigate of the French Navy, 1 Missile Boat and 4 Patrol Boats of the Israeli Navy, 2 Patrol Boats of the Navy Command of the National Guard and 2 of Port & Marine Police, the oil/gas platform SAIPEM 7000, the tanker of PETRONAV company «ALEXANDRIA» funded by the European Maritime Safety Agency (ΕMSA) and managed by the Department of Merchant Shipping, the support vessel “FLYING ENTERPRISE” of EDT Offshore company and 2 anti-pollution vessels of the Fisheries Department. Also, 4 Helicopters of the Republic of Cyprus (2 of CPAU and 2 of the 460 SAR SQ of the Air Force Command of the National Guard), 1 Hellenic ΑΒ-212, 1 British Bell Griffin as well as 2 Fixed winged aircrafts (1 Hellenic C-130 and 1 of the Forestry Department) took place in the exercise.

Additionally, the 31st Airborne Search and Rescue Operations Squadron of the Hellenic Airforce, the Underwater Demolition Teams of the of the Navy Command of the National Guard and the Hellenic Navy, the paramedic teams of the Ministry of Health and the Civil Defence, as well as the Search and Rescue RHIB “NIREAS” and rescuers of the Civil Defence participated with special tasks.

The exercise was successfully conducted, under rough sea conditions and the outcomes of the exercise will be evaluated and the Special National Plans “NEARCHOS” and “ORFEAS” will be amended, if necessary, for improving the planning and preparation of the governmental services of the Republic, to deal with the main threats related to maritime and energy security, within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus.

Source: mod.gov.cy