Ciudad Jardín hosts emergency spill response drill at sea

An environmental emergency simulation was successfully carried out this morning, May 22nd, along the coast of Ciutat Jardí beach. During the exercise, the State Coastal Protection Plan against Marine Pollution, the “Plan Ribera”, was activated to evaluate the response capacity to a potential marine pollution incident.

Organized by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, the drill simulated a collision between two ships off the port of Palma, resulting in a spill that reached Ciudad Jardín’s beach. This allowed the implementation of the response protocols outlined in the “Plan Ribera”.

From the Government of the Balearic Islands, the General Directorate of Emergencies and Interior participated with emergency technicians and staff from the Operational Emergency Unit (UOP), along with the deployment of the Advanced Command Unit (UMA). These teams coordinated the involved agencies once the pollution reached the shore.

Director General of Emergencies and Interior, Pablo Gárriz, emphasized: “Ultimately, what we seek with these exercises is to ensure the most effective and efficient response possible. And this is built through collaboration, cooperation, and coordination.”

Also participating were the Directorates General of Coasts and Shoreline, and Ports and Maritime Transport, aiming to reinforce interagency coordination during marine pollution incidents. Ports of the Balearic Islands (Ports IB) actively collaborated by providing two vessels: a shallow-water beach craft and a coastal boat for wider shoreline operations.

Additional entities involved included the Palma City Council, the Balearic Port Authority, Maritime Rescue Services, Maritime Captaincy, the Red Cross, the Civil Guard, civil protection volunteers from Llucmajor, Calvià, and Palma, TRAGSA, and State Civil Protection, all working together to ensure a swift and coordinated response to coastal pollution.

The simulation unfolded over two days. On the first day, a tabletop exercise was conducted at the Port Authority headquarters, focusing on activating various emergency plans in response to maritime accidents and coastal contamination, with participation from DGEI technicians.

Meanwhile, at Ciudad Jardín’s beach, a practical training session on anti-pollution materials was held, including the deployment of the UMA and a decontamination shower.

Today's live drill formed part of a series of practical simulations, furthering the training and preparedness of involved personnel. Specialized marine pollution response teams, containment and recovery vessels, floating barriers, environmental protection technicians, maritime rescue units, and emergency services were all mobilized. Systems for alerts, communication, and interagency coordination were also activated.

The “Plan Ribera” outlines preventive measures, immediate response actions, and follow-up protocols aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of accidental marine spills and safeguarding biodiversity, fishery resources, and the most vulnerable coastal areas.