REMPEC organises a Sub-Regional Training Course on Marine Emergencies in Slovenia – Nov 11, 2008

A Sub-Regional Training Course on Marine Emergencies was organised by REMPEC in Izola, Slovenia between the 11 and 13 November 2008 in co-operation with the Slovenian Maritime Administration and the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief of Slovenia.

The Course was organised within the framework of REMPEC’s programme of activities 2008/2009 approved by the 15th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and it  followed a specific proposal made by Slovenia during the last Meeting of REMPEC Focal Points held in Malta in May 2007.  

The Sub-Regional Training Course, which focused on various aspects related to emergencies at sea (with particular reference to the ship casualty side) including inter alia the legal background, the public authorities involvement in marine emergencies, the ship’s interests, and the handling of the media, was aimed at Maritime Administration officials, harbour masters, and other persons involved in immediate intervention after a maritime casualty such as civil protection and coast guard officers.  Participants from Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia attended the training course whilst a number of experienced professionals, including Sir Robin Middleton, the former UK Secretary of State Representative (SOSREP), lectured during the course. Two case study presentations on the shipping casualties involving the MSC Napoli and the MV Und Adriatic were also delivered. Participants also had the opportunity to take part in a table top exercise related to the topic of the training course.  

At the closure of the Training Course, Mr Bruno Potokar, Director of the Slovenian Maritime Administration, expressed his appreciation to REMPEC for organising this course and to the lecturers for their input.