The Spanish Navy will carry out two training exercises in waters around Gran Canaria and La Palma later this month, which are known as MARSEC-23 that will focus on the fight against drug trafficking and pollution in the Canary Islands.
The Ministry of Defence issued a statement yesterday (Tuesday), informing that the exercise to fight drug trafficking will take place in the waters off the south of Gran Canaria from Monday 22nd May to Friday 26th.
In this exercise, the efforts of the Deputy Directorate of Customs Surveillance (DAVA) and the Navy will work together by simulating an operation to intercept and board a ship suspected of carrying drugs from South America.
The second exercise, in La Palma, will take place on Wednesday May 31st when they will simulate an incident at a thermal power plant where injuries and a fuel spill will occur, both at sea and in the inland waters of a port.
The objective of this exercise is to improve coordination and collaboration in emergencies involving a large number of casualties and the fight against marine pollution.
In both exercises, the Navy will work in coordination with different entities including DAVA, the Maritime Safety and Rescue Services (SASEMAR), the Emergency and Rescue Group (GES), and the Air Force. Medical evacuation procedures will also be practiced if necessary.
