Russia and Norway ready for joint Arctic emergency drills

The Exerceise Barents 2011 takes place on June 8 in the outer parts of the Varanger fjord and include units and vessels from the Norwegian Coast Guard, the Northern Fleet and FSB’s Coast Guard Service, among others. Rescue helicopters from both countries also take part in the exercise.

Exercise Barents has been conducted annually since the 1980-ies. The traditional main partners in these exercises are the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Northern Norway in Bodø and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Murmansk.

Planning of the exercise alters between the two countries every year, This year’s exercise is planned by the Russian side and will include search and rescue of the crew of a Russian fishing vessel and cleanup of some 250 tons of diesel oil leaking from the shipwreck.

Cooperation between the rescue coordination centers in Bodø and Murmansk has also proved to be fruitful during real accidents. Norway has on several occasions saved Russian sailors in distress, even on Russian territory. In December 2007 twelve Russian sailors were saved from a sinking cargo vessel outside the Rybachi Peninsula by a Norwegian rescue helicopter. The Norwegian crew was later awarded with the Russian medal for noble deed.

Norway and Russia also cooperate in Russia’s largest international rescue exercise Barents Rescue, where also Finland and Sweden participate.