Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Saudi authorities stage maritime disaster drill

Saudi authorities stage maritime disaster drill

Saudi authorities have hosted a practical exercise to prepare for maritime emergencies, boosting the Kingdom’s readiness and improving marine safety and environmental protection.
Marine accidents can cause human and material loss, water and air pollution, environmental destruction and more. Preventing accidents is a key focus of the National Plan for Marine Disaster Management.

On Wednesday the “Search and Rescue 43” practical exercise took place in the territorial water of Rabigh governorate of the Makkah region.

The drill was overseen by senior border guards, including Saudi Border Guards director general and chairman of the standing committee for the management of maritime disasters in the regional waters of the Kingdom, Gen. Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Shehri.

A further 31 members of governmental and nongovernmental agencies were also present.

It aimed to prepare for marine disasters such as collision accidents and crashes, which result in fuel spills, drownings, fire, explosion and loss of life.

The training — held on the Red Sea shore 45 miles north of Jeddah — included a two-hour scenario of a full rescue and evacuation operation on a McDonnell Douglas MD-90 aircraft carrying 150 passengers, including cabin crew.

It was implemented by the Border Guards, Civil Defense, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, General Directorate of Passport, among others, and demonstrated cooperation between Saudi national authorities.

The scenario included practice fuel spills, fires and injured passengers, with each authority demonstrating the correct procedures to respond to the emergencies.

The exercise raised the level of joint performance of governmental and nongovernmental agencies in facing accidents and disasters.

Al-Shehri said: “What we have seen today indicates good cooperation between national authorities, professionalism in performance and containment of the situation.

“Through these exercises, we aim to reach the highest international levels in search and rescue operations. A plane evacuation scenario was implemented despite the rare occurrence of these disasters. However, it was implemented by following international standards.”

He thanked the Prince Sultan Academy of Aviation Sciences for taking part in presenting the scenarios.

Al-Shehri added that it can often take multiple days to bring real marine disasters under control, but that through exercises and practice scenarios, the response and recovery time can be shortened.

“We look forward to further progress,” Al-Shehri said.

All phases of the training were managed and coordinated by the Jeddah Maritime Rescue Coordination Center to help authorities achieve their goals and objectives.

The training comes as an extension of previous meetings and efforts to assist marine disaster victims.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×