ALMOST 20 years to the day since they were involved in a real major rescue operation, the maritime authorities from Britain, France and Belgium staged an exercise in the Channel on Monday.

Co-ordinated by Dover Coastguard, it was designed to test the search and rescue capabilities of the various agencies that would be involved in such an incident, should it happen again.

It centred on the Norfolkline cross-Channel ferry Maersk Dover sailing from Dover to Dunkerque.

A Mayday call to Dover Coastguard reported that the ship had been in collision with an unidentified object.

As a result of this collision a spillage was reported from a lorry trailer carrying dangerous goods. Specialist teams from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Trust were deployed to the ferry.

The Coastguard tug Anglian Monarch and aircraft were sent to the scene, together with a Belgian Air Force rescue helicopter, Dover, Walmer and Ramsgate lifeboats as well as the lifeboat from Dunkerque.

The exercise also involved Kent Police, Kent County Council Emergency Planning Unit, Dover Harbour Board and the coastguard at Cap Gris Nez on the French coast.

Spike Hughes, Rescue Coordination Centre Manager, Dover Coastguard said: “We would like to thank Maersk for their assistance in allowing to make this exercise as realistic as possible with the use of their ferry.

“It is extremely important that all the agencies that are involved in a live incident get the opportunity to test their personnel and procedures to ensure they are as prepared as they can be for any eventuality.”

Brian Bamford, Divisional Officer Operations, Kent Fire and Rescue service, said: “This was a great opportunity for us as land-based firefighters to exercise as part of the Marine Incident Response Group and to put in to place procedures which we have helped to develop in conjunction with our colleagues in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and other fire and rescue services.”

It was reported that several changes to various procedures had been made as a result of the exercise.