A large-scale fire drill was carried out this morning aboard a catamaran moored in the Port of Fontvieille, bringing together Monaco’s emergency services for a coordinated training exercise…
Organised by the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco (SEPM), the simulation involved the Monaco Fire Brigade, Maritime Affairs, the Maritime Police and the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The scenario simulated a serious incident on board a vessel, with a fire breaking out in the cabin area. According to the exercise script, one person was suffering from smoke inhalation while another passenger was reported missing. The harbour master raised the alarm and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene.
The exercise allowed the different teams to practise working together under realistic conditions. Firefighters, police officers and maritime authorities coordinated their response both on land and at sea, testing communication procedures, command structures and the deployment of specialised equipment. One of the main objectives was to practise locating the missing victim while simultaneously containing and extinguishing the fire.
Two exercises of this type are organised every year in Monaco’s ports, with each edition introducing more complex scenarios to test the ability of responders to adapt quickly to evolving situations.
Although incidents remain relatively rare, with only a few fires recorded each year in Monaco’s ports, authorities stress that regular drills are essential to maintain a high level of readiness and ensure the safety of people and vessels in the Principality’s busy marinas.
Image: Monaco Info