On 8 October 2018, there was a day of emergency response training at the facilities of Puerto Deportivo de Benalmádena, promoted by Repsol as part of its safety plans and environmental commitment. Staff from Puerto Banus, Marina del Este and, of course, Alcaidesa Marina took part in the event led by the company Cancomar, which conducted a theoretical and practical course including an onboard fire, an episode of marine pollution and a man overboard situation.
The practical training involved a series exercises and simulations, including a fire drill on a yacht after having refuelled at the marina's petrol station. What's more, there was a simulated episode of seawater contamination in which the appropriate containment methods were deployed. Last but not least, a man overboard exercise was carried out, with the subsequent in-water rescue and evacuation to dry land. The practical cases all featured the participation of the civil protection service and the fire brigade, who proved to be highly efficient in issues related to marina safety and the fight against pollution.
The importance of these training courses and drills should really be underlined, as training sessions in these kinds of emergencies are key to everyday operations and guarantee that the response to a true-life case is faster and more efficient.
The main goal is the training of staff members, as having the optimal emergency response resources doesn't in itself guarantee a successful operation if the people in charge lack the knowledge of appropriate practices.