On 28, 29 and 30 May 2024, the waters off the coast of Viareggio were the scene of the anti-pollution exercise RAMOGEPOL, the most relevant multinational training activity in the Tyrrhenian Sea which saw the participation of the offshore patrol vessel Orione (P 410) of the Navy.
The edition of the Versiliana 2024 environmental emergency exercise - organized by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, represents the annual appointment of the activities at sea envisaged by the cooperation plan of the Agreement Ramoge. Framed in the broader framework of international cooperation in the sector of maritime environmental protection of the Barcelona Convention of February 1976, the Agreement takes its name from the first syllables of the cities of Saint-Raphael, Monaco e Genova which at the time of signing delimited its field of action, establishing the principle of cooperation between France, the Principality of Monaco and Italy in the fight and prevention of pollution of the waters of the Upper Tyrrhenian Sea.
It is in this context that the support of the Navy is inserted, which already carries out surveillance activities for the prevention of pollution of marine waters by hydrocarbons and harmful substances in accordance with the regulatory provisions in force. The six units dependent on the first patrol squadron, belonging to the class Constellations The first and second series are called to intervene directly in operations to combat marine pollution. In particular, they are equipped with floating pneumatic barriers capable of circumscribing the area affected by the spill and a skimmer for the removal and recovery of oily substances. They are also equipped with a chemical laboratory, in which it is possible to carry out a rapid analysis of the polluting agent, as well as dispersant rods and foam cannons that can be used in accordance with the provisions received from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Safety in the event of spills of particularly serious hydrocarbons.
The Navy continues to pay particular attention to anti-pollution capabilities. In fact, the renewal of the anti-pollution breakdowns started on the classroom units fits into this context Constellationi I Series, with the support of ship efficiency service of the Augusta naval station command, the introduction of special clothing and portable kits with absorbent products for the containment of accidental oil spills, as well as the start of the course Oil pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation (OPCR), recognized by the IMO and provided by Saipem with the aim of instructing operators on the characteristics of oily substances in the sea and on response activities coordinated with other institutional entities, which can be activated in the context of Local and National Emergency Plans.
The waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea were the stage that saw maritime professionals apply their seafaring skills in the peculiar context of combating maritime pollution. The dedication and professionalism that emerged during the exercise underline the importance of continuous improvement of skills and technologies for the protection of the marine environment, in the peculiar context of international cooperation promoted by the Navy.
