Mein Schiff 3 hosts large-scale emergency drill in Bremerhaven
About 50 emergency personnel tested medical response, inter-agency coordination and psychosocial support while the TUI Cruises ship remained in normal operation.
Emergency services and maritime authorities staged a large-scale exercise aboard TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3 while the vessel was berthed at Bremerhaven’s cruise terminal on Sunday.
The German Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, known as the Havariekommando, and TUI Cruises jointly organized the drill. Approximately 50 emergency personnel participated in a simulated incident involving multiple casualties on a passenger vessel.
Specialized firefighting units from Cuxhaven and Wilhelmshaven were deployed to evaluate the scenario and provide medical assistance to simulated casualties. Police authorities also took part, giving participants an opportunity to practice communications, operational procedures and coordination across agencies and regional boundaries.
The training additionally covered maritime psychosocial emergency care. Specialist advisers from the German Seamen’s Mission and other maritime psychosocial support organizations simulated assistance for affected people aboard Mein Schiff 3 and at the passenger terminal.
Passengers were aboard during the exercise and had been notified in advance. Normal shipboard operations continued while the drill was underway.