Pollution risks at the Port: our teams are receiving training for a more effective response
25 October 2022
On 12 October, a full-scale exercise was conducted at the Port of Nice to train its teams and stakeholders in preparation for a water pollution incident.
Clean-up exercises have been organised at the Port of Nice since 2008. In connection with its ISO 14001 environmental certification, actions are regularly conducted by the Port of Nice, including increasing awareness amongst teams of environmental risks, purchasing clean-up equipment and organising training exercises. These periodically organised exercises aim to prevent a serious water pollution situation.
Reducing water pollution and avoiding an impact on biodiversity
The aim of the exercise? Test the system for conveying alerts and the equipment at the Port of Nice, and identify any areas in need of improvement. The goal was a quicker or more effective response to minimise water pollution and avoid an impact on biodiversity. Several teams participated: SDIS* fire brigade, port services (Leisure Boating, Technical and Commercial) and port subcontractors (Security, Cleaning, Safety).
Simulation of a hydrocarbon spill
The scenario for each exercise is a pollution incident. This year, it was carried out on 12 October, with the following storyline: at 10 am, the SDIS issued a warning on a hydrocarbon spill originating from the Tour Rouge basin rainwater outfall. The role of the response teams? To contain the spill in the Tour Rouge basin, check the state of the boom stored at Quai Île de Beauté and handle the deployment manoeuvre. The relaying of information and chain of response to deploy the boom and provide assistance proved effective. Some potential sources of improvement have been identified and will be implemented before the next exercise (update of the pollution emergency instructions – phone numbers, stakeholders, alert system for each entity; yearly check of the padlock allowing access to the boom since it gets easily damaged by salt spray, and making sure all stakeholders have a key).
This training exercise was also a good way to bring teams together and develop relations between all stakeholders.
* Services Départementaux d’Incendie et de Secours (Firefighting and Rescue services for the Département)