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30-05-2023. The Spanish Navy recently carried out Operation MARSEC-23, an advanced maritime drill, in the Port of Castellon.
The Port Authority of Castellon, the Civil Guard, the Spanish National Police and the fire brigade all participated in this operation. The Navy was represented by the Infanta Cristina deep-sea patrol boat, the Navy Diving Centre Diving Unit (CBA) and the Valencia and Castellon Naval Command.
This MARSEC-23 scenario in PortCastelló consisted of two drills. First, the Civil Guard received a warning that a bomb had supposedly been placed on board the Infanta Cristina, docked at the port’s Levante Quay. The Civil Guard’s Dog Unit went to search for the alleged explosive device.
Another call alerted of an explosive device in port waters. The Civil Guard and Navy diving units carried out a joint underwater search for the explosive.
The main objective of this exercise was to improve coordination at sea between Navy units, and governmental and non-governmental organisations with responsibility for or related to this type of action at sea. It is important to emphasise that each scenario is managed by the civilian or military body that would be responsible for dealing with this case in real life, in accordance with Spanish legislation.
Other objectives of these drills were to improve coordination in the fight against drug trafficking, public health emergencies, port protection, control of hazardous substances in port facilities, maritime pollution, cooperation with the Spanish Army and Air and Space Force in controlling maritime areas of national interest, fishing inspection and surveillance, shipping traffic guidance, and rescue and assistance at sea.
The naval commander, Jesús Otero, pointed out at a press conference the importance of “joining forces to deal with all types of emergencies”. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Port Authority of Castellon, Enrique Vidal, thanked the authorities for choosing the Port of Castellon to carry out the MARSEC-23 drills which are been staged throughout the country.
