Barracuda exercises open Tuesday

Drill involves mock oil spill and search and rescue operations

KARACHI:

The 12th Barracuda exercise of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (MSA) is set to commence tomorrow (Tuesday) and will continue until January 4. These exercises will involve practical scenarios simulating a mock oil spill in both coastal and open sea environments. Search and rescue operations will also be a significant component of the exercise.

Leveraging experiences from prior Barracuda exercises, the MSA successfully executed the operation to rescue the stranded ship, ‘Hang Tong’, off the coast of Karachi in 2021, ensuring no oil spill occurred.

Captain Tayyab Wadood Anwar, Commanding Officer of Kolachi, a vessel in the MSA fleet, emphasised that the sea within Pakistan's borders covers approximately 290,000 square kilometres, constituting 37 per cent of the total area. The MSA plays a vital role in enforcing the government's maritime boundaries.

Referring to the 2003 incident involving the Greek ship ‘Tasman Spirit’, which led to a significant oil spill off Karachi's coast, Captain

Tayyab highlighted the devastating environmental impact. This incident prompted the creation of the National Maritime Country Plan in 2007, subsequently revised in 2019.

In the vast area of 290,000 square kilometres, numerous fishermen, along with hundreds of boats, engage in fishing activities. The possibility of unexpected emergencies during these operations underscores the MSA’s responsibility. Depending on the situation's sensitivity, ships, speedboats, aeroplanes, or helicopters are deployed for search and rescue operations.

The 12th Barracuda exercise is expected to host participants from various countries, building on the success of the previous exercises that attracted 25 observers from 15 nations. This year, the naval chief of Tanzania will join the exercise, enhancing international collaboration and showcasing the latest technologies.

Captain Tayyab outlined the three-day exercise, featuring a seminar on the first day addressing aquatic life and sea challenges. The second day will witness a mock oil spill demonstration near the coast of Manora, followed by a search and rescue exercise in deep-sea conditions on the final day. Practical demonstrations, including weight winching from a helicopter, will be conducted to simulate rescuing drowned fishermen.

Delegates and observers from friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania, along with representatives from oil-importing companies in Pakistan, will participate.

Captain Saqlain, Commanding Officer of Kashmir, another ship in the MSA fleet, emphasised the Barracuda exercise's primary objective — cooperation among civil and military agencies during maritime emergencies. The exercise brings together all institutions, fostering unity in addressing environmental threats, including oil spills.

Significant innovations have been introduced in Barracuda exercises, with new equipment worldwide aimed at managing and mitigating the impact of oil spills. Moreover, professional anti-piracy training will be conducted during the exercise.

Captain Saqlain clarified the distinction between piracy and ship safety measures, highlighting the importance of vigilance during ‘Go Fast Attacks’, where ships should respond to unusual behaviour of small boats leaving harbours or navigating at sea.

The article also revisits the 2018 incident where the oil spill ship, Jawaz Aljwazao, caused pollution in Mubarak village. The Pakistan Navy and MSA identified the tanker, Al-Jawaza, which had come to Gadani beach for recycling, as the source of the oil spill. The ship's crew and the related company acknowledged their mistake and compensated for the damages.