A simulation of a collision between two ships and a response to an oil spill in the Danube River was played out within the framework of the joint exercise "Danube 2024".< br />
Representatives of more than ten institutions took part in it. The action is organized under the leadership of the regional governor Dragomir Draganov in the water area of the port terminal "Ruse-Zapad".
During the exercise, a simulation of the evacuation of a casualty with the provision of medical assistance took place. "Given the military actions in Ukraine, a large part of the fuels is transported along the Danube River.
We are doing the exercise to prevent possible future incidents and to have the experience to learn from the mistakes that can be made to limit pollution of the river. We have engaged all the institutions, including companies from Varna, which are specialized in these operations and can provide assistance," said Draganov.
Captain Kamen Ivanov - head of the department "Emergency and rescue activity - Danube river" to the Main Directorate "Emergency and Rescue Activity", explained that the simulation is of a serious spill, which, fortunately, has not yet happened in the river.
"That doesn't mean we shouldn't be proactive and simulate these types of incidents," he commented. "In smaller incidents, which happen not often, but for example once every two or three months, it is a matter of ship collisions, but not of spills, the institutions react immediately," Captain Ivanov also said.
He explained that at the RIS center in Ruse there are people on duty around the clock, and in the event of any incident with a ship, when the captain gives a signal, the people on duty receive it and within three to five minutes the institutions, such as " River supervision-Ruse" to the "Maritime Administration" Agency and Main Directorate "Emergency and rescue activity" are familiar with the case, analyze it and take appropriate appropriate actions.
Captain Ivanov also indicated that the last incident between ships in the Bulgarian part of the Danube River was on the night of March 8 this year. "In the same place where we are doing the simulation today, two ships collided in the dark part of the day.
Fortunately, there was no spill. One ship was carrying fertilizer and the other was carrying oil. There was no spill because the ships are also protected - they have double sides, double bottoms. By law, not every ship can carry fuel", explained the captain.
According to him, the incident caused a breach in one of the ships and water intrusion. Within minutes, the information about the situation was distributed to the competent authorities.
Teams have reached the ship, and the necessary measures have been taken to prevent the vessel from sinking. Captain Ivanov also said that the investigation of the incident continues.