Successful Cyprus Response Exercise

The spill response exercise NIRIIS 2011, held in Cyprus on 6th October 2011, was completed successfully. It was organised by the Ministry of Communications and Works in cooperation with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and aimed to examine the national capability of the Republic of Cyprus to mobilise its anti-pollution resources, respond to a major oil spill and to test the communication and emergency response mechanism. 

It was the first anti-pollution exercise in Cyprus, which took place with the participation of sea vessels and aircraft of the Republic of Cyprus and the anti-pollution vessel Alexandria, chartered by the EMSA.

The exercise followed an imaginary scenario involving an oil spill. A Cyprus-bound tanker was suffering serious structural damage. A tank containing about 1,800 tonnes of oil is damaged, immediately releasing heavy fuel oil only 22 nautical miles away from the Limassol port.

 

The response was two-fold: notifying all relevant authorities and collecting the spilled oil.

The notification exercise involved response teams, the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism and operators of shore installations including naval bases, power stations and water desalination units.