Naval, air and land resources will participate on 8 September in 'SAREX 2026' a complex search and rescue exercise in the Black Sea initiated and coordinated by the Romanian Naval Authority (ANR).

The ANR informed on Wednesday that the Black Sea will become the setting on 8 September for one of the largest intervention exercises. The ANR, as the national specialist authority responsible for navigational safety, has initiated and will coordinate the 'SAREX 2026' maritime search and rescue exercise.

'Designed to test Romania's response capacity at strategic and operational level in major maritime crisis situations, the exercise is being led directly by the Maritime Coordination Centre through the MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) Service within the ANR. The exercise brings together, in a joint effort of command and cooperation, naval, air and land resources provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (the Coast Guard, the Inspectorate General for Emergency Situations - IGSU, Dobrogea Inspectorate for Emergency Situations - ISU, General Inspectorate of Aviation - IGAv and Constanta County Gendarmerie Inspectorate) and the Ministry of National Defence (Romanian Naval Forces and Air Force),' an ANR release sent on Wednesday informed.

The main objective of the exercise is to assess, optimise and update the National Cooperation Plan on coordinated intervention at sea, ensuring that national protocols are fully aligned with the latest regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

'During the exercise, participating teams will be put to the test in dynamic simulations that faithfully reproduce the complex risks of a real maritime emergency. Under the command and real-time tactical instructions issued by the MRCC Constanta, the intervention forces will practise: Air-sea command and coordination: detecting damaged vessels, rapidly locating people in distress and directing rescue resources; Emergency response and medical evacuation: combined missions to extinguish fires aboard vessels, carry out medical triage and evacuate casualties to shore against the clock; Security and public order: ensuring the logistical chain for receiving rescued people and managing security in the port disembarkation area; Special inter-institutional procedures: managing information flows and applying legal protocols in unforeseen situations at sea,' the release also said.

According to the quoted source, by initiating and coordinating the 'SAREX 2026' exercise, the Romanian Naval Authority reaffirms its central role in coordinating maritime search and rescue operations, ensuring the rapid intervention of the Maritime Coordination Centre to protect and save human life within Romania's area of responsibility in the Black Sea. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Nona Jalba; EN - writing by: Rodica State)