Cyprus hosts oil and gas industry security drill

The Cypriot defense ministry and Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Larnaca hosted warships from France, Israel and Greece among others for the fourth consecutive exercise Nemesis 2017.

The one-day exercise took place on October 17 in 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 commercial vessels of EDT Offshore and SAIPEM S.p.A.

The exercise is aimed at developing coordination in the prompt response to emergency situations onboard merchant vessels and oil and gas platforms, as well as other humanitarian operations in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Exercise scenarios included 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.

Overall 12 warships, 8 aircraft and 3 commercial vessels took part in the drill. In addition to Cypriot Navy and police boats, the Hellenic Navy sent a frigate and a missile boat, the French Navy participated with a frigate while the Israel sent one missile and four patrol boats.

The defense ministry said the exercise was conducted under rough sea conditions and the outcomes of the exercise would 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.