On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the Principality of Monaco participated in a large-scale international maritime search and rescue exercise off the coast of Menton and Monaco, simulating a dramatic air crash at sea…
Organised by the Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean, in coordination with the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes and Monaco’s authorities, the SAMAR MED 25 exercise brought together over 300 personnel, 19 vessels, and five aircraft to rehearse a highly realistic crisis scenario.
The simulation involved a mid-air collision between a commercial airliner en route from Venice to Nice, carrying 106 passengers, and a military helicopter deployed for the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), with ten people on board. Designed to replicate an emergency during a major international event, the exercise tested the entire rescue chain—from the triggering of alerts via distress beacons and coastal observers to maritime and land-based victim response.
A central objective was to test coordination between French, Monegasque, and Italian rescue teams under the SAR MEDOCC agreement, a tripartite cooperation framework between France, Italy, and Spain for maritime rescue in the Western Mediterranean. Monaco’s participation included both operational resources and land-based services for victim care, working in tandem with regional French authorities and Italian partners such as the Guardia Costiera and Italian Air Force.
The exercise also served as a full-scale trial of crisis protocols in anticipation of UNOC in June. Officials praised the professionalism, efficiency, and cooperation demonstrated by all parties involved. SAMAR MED 25 not only reaffirmed Monaco’s role in regional maritime safety but also strengthened international readiness for joint operations during large-scale events. The lessons learned will contribute to improving future interoperability and response capabilities across borders.
Images: Marine Nationale
