© FPS Public Health
According to the scenario, a large oil slick was detected about 7 nautical miles (12 km) off the coast. The aim was to remove it quickly before it could reach vulnerable natural areas such as the Zwin and the Scheldt estuary, and to limit disruption to port activities. Instead of oil, straw was used, as it behaves similarly on the water.
Belgian and foreign vessels
In total, seven vessels took part in the exercise, including both Belgian and foreign specialised ships. Among them was the Arca, a vessel from the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat, equipped with sweeping arms that can collect oil. Belgium deployed the Zeetijger and the Sirius. These vessels from the Fleet (Flemish Department of Mobility and Public Works) can be equipped to remove oil in the event of a major incident.
The Interballast III also participated. This vessel, originally a sand dredger from Group De Cloedt, is deployed by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) during major incidents in the North Sea. It can also be fitted with sweeping arms to recover oil. Its hold is heated so that the collected oil remains liquid and can be pumped out once the vessel is full.
Cooperation between coast guard partners and countries
The oil spill response exercise was coordinated by the Marine Environment Service of the Federal Public Service for Public Health and carried out by Belgian coast guard partners in cooperation with Dutch and European organisations.
The Belgian Coast Guard is a cooperative network responsible for tasks at sea related to safety, surveillance and assistance. Seventeen Flemish and federal government services and the Governor of West Flanders are part of the Coast Guard. By working together, these services ensure that these tasks are carried out efficiently and in a well-coordinated manner in the North Sea.
The exercise took place within the framework of the Multipurpose Maritime Operation (MMO), an annual large-scale and multifunctional maritime operation in the North Sea, coordinated by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), with the support of the European Union. Member States work closely together on coast guard tasks such as maritime safety, environmental protection and border control.
International attention for the BBNJ candidature
The exercise was attended by the Minister of Justice and North Sea, Annelies Verlinden, together with Dirk Ramaekers, President of the FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment; Pierre Kerkhofs, Director-General for Environment; and Sophie Mirgaux Dillien, Belgium’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. Their presence—on board the research vessel RV Belgica—was linked to Belgium’s candidacy to host the secretariat of the new UN Ocean Treaty (BBNJ, Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction). In that same context, several foreign diplomats also observed the exercise. The BBNJ treaty aims to better protect and sustainably manage biodiversity on the high seas, including through marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and agreements on the use of marine genetic resources.
Annelies Verlinden, Minister of Justice and North Sea:
"The ocean does not stop at national borders, and neither does oil pollution. This exercise shows how crucial cooperation is to protect the ocean. Belgium invests in equipment, capacity and knowledge to keep the sea safe and clean, as well as in national and international partnerships. With its candidacy for the BBNJ secretariat, Belgium aims to use its expertise and bridging role to better protect biodiversity on the high seas."
After the exercise: evaluation
Two weeks after the exercise, an evaluation will be carried out with all partners. This will assess what went well and what can be improved. The lessons learned will be incorporated into the Oil Spill Response Intervention Plan.
