MSA’s three-day Barracuda exercises conclude

Drills included oil spill response, anti-piracy measures, and search and rescue operations

KARACHI:

The Maritime Security Agency's three-day Barracuda exercises successfully concluded on Thursday. The last day featured various professional drills, including oil spill response, anti-piracy measures, and search and rescue operations in the North Arabian Sea. Several demonstrations of professional training were showcased during the culmination of Barracuda, the flagship exercise of the MSA.

Sindh's Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony where Provincial Interior Minister Brig (retd) Haris Nawaz was also in attendance. Noteworthy activities on the last day included a mock oil spill response, where modern equipment efficiently collected and transferred spilled oil from the sea to designated tanks.

The search and rescue operation showcased the effective retrieval of individuals who had drowned at sea, utilising weight winching from Sea King and Alouette helicopters. In the sea phase of the exercise, commandos executed precision landings on a ship's deck using a Sea King helicopter, demonstrating their capability to take control during anti-piracy exercises.

Read Barracuda exercises open Tuesday

Barracuda also featured a naval fast attack action exercise in both port and sea. Air assets from the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force were engaged throughout the exercise.

The CM commended the successful execution of the exercise by the MSA's DG and praised the dedication of all participants. He emphasised the global concern of marine pollution and highlighted Pakistan's commitment to protecting the seas from further environmental degradation.

During a media interaction, DG MSA Rear Admiral Imtiaz Ali lauded the commendable response time exhibited by the teams during the mock exercises in Barracuda's Harbour Cruise phase. Over the next three days, recommendations will be collaboratively prepared with international delegates, ensuring the further enhancement and approval of this exercise in the coming two years as needed.

Certificates of appreciation were distributed to the delegates and observers from participating guest countries at Barracuda, acknowledging their valuable contributions.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2024.