Adriatic SAR Drill Tests Cross-Border Rescue Readiness
Italy, Croatia and Slovenia conducted a joint search and rescue exercise in the Gulf of Trieste on 22 September to test.
Maritime authorities from Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia carried out a joint search and rescue (SAR) exercise in the Gulf of Trieste on 22 September. The drill tested cross-border coordination following a simulated collision involving a fishing vessel, bringing together national agencies and European bodies to strengthen emergency response protocols.
The Italian Coast Guard hosted the operation, coordinating efforts from its Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in Trieste. The scenario required the three nations’ Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres—in Rome, Koper, and Rijeka—to share information across their respective search and rescue regions, plan the response, and deploy participating units. Procedures followed the IAMSAR Manual and existing bilateral agreements between Italy and its neighbors.
How the Exercise Was Conducted: Rescue
The Italian offshore patrol vessel Gregoretti served as the On-Scene Coordinator, while other assets included EFCA’s Ocean Sentinel, Slovenian and Croatian SAR units, and Italian Coast Guard patrol boats and a helicopter. Training manikins represented individuals in the water, and the exercise incorporated a simulated medical evacuation by helicopter, guided by telemedical advice from Italy’s Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service (CIRM).
EMSA led the Joint Coordination Team, overseeing the drill and introducing additional challenges to test procedures. The agency also managed the pre-exercise briefing and post-drill debriefing. Simultaneously, a communications exercise (COMex) took place on the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE), with nodes from Italy, Slovenia, EMSA, and EFCA exchanging real-time situation reports, assistance requests, and images from the scene.
The Strategic Importance of the Gulf of Trieste
The Gulf of Trieste, a high-traffic area in the northern Adriatic, presents unique challenges for maritime safety. The region combines dense commercial shipping, cruise and leisure vessels, and active fishing fleets, with search and rescue responsibilities divided among Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia. Regular joint exercises like this one ensure that shared procedures and communication channels remain effective, enabling a coordinated response during real emergencies.
EMSA expressed gratitude to the Italian Coast Guard for hosting the event and acknowledged the contributions of all participating authorities. The exercise falls under the Multipurpose Maritime Operation (MMO) ADRIA 2026 framework, with further drills planned to enhance interoperability between national and EU-level maritime agencies.
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