Africa-Press – Mauritius. The National Maritime Search and Rescue Plan (NMSARP), for the first time in Mauritius, carried out a mass casualty evacuation at sea simulation exercise, today, near the Christian Decotter Cruise Terminal in Port Louis.
The aim was to enable all stakeholders to better understand their roles, responsibilities and actions for saving and minimising loss of human lives during an incident at sea as well as to develop the NMSARP capacity for a mass rescue and evacuation at sea.
The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo; the ChargeĢ d’Affaires of the United States (US) Embassy, Mr Satrajit Jitu Sardar; the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Officer-in-Charge, of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre, Mr Premanand Budhoo; experts of US Africa Command team; and other personalities were present.
It is recalled that following the MV Wakashio incident, the US Government provided technical assistance to Mauritius to better deal with maritime accidents.
Last year, a one-week training workshop was carried out by the experts of US Africa Command and in its continued efforts, this year the US is extending its assistance to enhance the relevant stakeholdersā capabilities to deal with mass casualty and evacuation at sea.
In a statement to the press, the Vice-Prime Minister said that Mauritius is a gateway to many vessels including ships and cruises. The exercise, he underlined, will better prepare the concerned authorities to act promptly in the advent of a real incident.
He remarked that an exercise of such scope is very important to identify bottlenecks and enhance the preparedness response of Mauritius adding that same should be carried out annually. As for ACP Budhoo, he highlighted that the mass casualty evacuation simulation exercise will help to reinforce the NMSARP capacity and capability.
He expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders including the Mauritius Ports Authority, the National Coast Guard, the Police, the Shipping Division, SAMU, and all those who participated and contributed to the success of the exercise.
Also present, the Commander of the US Coast Guard, Mrs Danielle Shupe, expressed satisfaction as regards the effectiveness of the exercise conducted by the NMSARP, adding that Mauritius will certainly be able to carry a mass evacuation at sea in the face of any similar incident.
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