Manston airport played a critical role as 20 specially-trained marine firefighters were taken by helicopter from the air base to a passenger ferry in on fire in mid-Channel.

The team from Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s Maritime Incident Response Group was airlifted onto the Norfolkline vessel Maersk Delft en route from Dover to Dunkerque to confront flames on the car deck.

Fortunately the scenario awaiting the crews on Tuesday (February 24) was an exercise carried out with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency that pushed firefighters’ skills to the limit as they used marine equipment to help deal with the emergency.

The 'may day’ was thought up to allow KFRS to test out equipment specifically designed for firefighting at sea, including adapted hose reels and heat-sensing devices. Passengers on board were made aware that it was only a drill.

Gavin Hayward, of KFRS’ training and development department, said: “We are required to test our maritime response to incidents at sea on a regular basis, working with our partner agencies the MCA and RAF. Norfolkline very kindly hosted the exercise which allowed Kent firefighters to work alongside staff from Norfolkline, not only in firefighting, but with communications to the Coastguard and issues such as ship stability and tactical planning.

“This type of realistic scenario is vital to ensure the effectiveness of any future response to maritime incidents.”

Kent has 139 miles of coastline – meaning that the brigade must be prepared to respond to an emergency in the Channel at any time.

Adrian Bates, Coastal Safety Manager South East from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: “The Maritime Incident Response Group will strengthen our capability to respond to fires and other emergencies that occur at sea, with highly-trained teams able to be deployed by helicopter at short notice.

“Marine Incident Response Teams now form an integral part of the United Kingdom’s search and rescue response. They also have the air-borne capacity to react to incidents anywhere in the country, not just at sea.”

Marine Incident Response Groups are based in 15 counties throughout the UK, with about 50 firefighters in each team.

Kent has 63 marine-trained firefighters.

Teams are equipped with lighter, more compact equipment and can not only fight fires but also deal with chemical hazards and free any trapped personnel.