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• 3 min de lectura
With the aim of evaluating the response to possible security threats, the Maritime Authority carried out the "Protectio" exercise in conjunction with Puerto Ventanas S.A. (PVSA). The maneuver tested the operational application of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) in maritime terminals.
"This exercise involved simulating the discovery of armed individuals aboard an international traffic vessel, which immediately activated the deployment of specialized resources and coordination between the Maritime Authority, the Port Terminal, and the various participating organizations," reported the Chilean Navy.
"The training began upon receiving a call from Puerto Ventanas S.A. indicating that there were armed individuals aboard a vessel located at Site 5 of the port; therefore, the Maritime Authority activated the corresponding protocol, initiating the operation," it added.
The naval command requested the support of the Navy's Immediate Response Group (GRI), whose personnel boarded the vessel with the deployment of two General Service Boats, two "Arcángel" type boats, and one Maritime Police boat. In addition, a naval helicopter provided air cover and continuous monitoring during the exercise.
"Once on board, GRI personnel neutralized and detained two individuals; while a third jumped into the sea and was detained by personnel in the boats, who captured him and transferred him to the pier to be handed over to the Maritime Police," the Maritime Authority reported.
In this regard, the Port Captain of Quintero, Frigate Captain LT Rafael Quijada, indicated that "in conjunction with Puerto Ventanas, we have developed a comprehensive security and ISPS exercise, in which units, personnel from the Maritime Authority, the Immediate Response Group, personnel from Naval Aviation, and Puerto Ventanas participated; all in coordination with the different shipping agencies."
"The objective of this activity was to strengthen coordination and response capacity to eventual threats to maritime and port security, testing the established procedures and protocols to face this type of situation," he added.
For his part, the Seremi of Public Security of Valparaíso, Hernán Silva, noted that "it is very gratifying to see how the Chilean Navy, applying all international protocols, takes charge of all possible risks involved in maritime transport, which has its demands in this matter. We have been able to verify the capacity of Chilean sailors to intervene in these situations both by air and by sea, with all the professionalism and capacity necessary to board a vessel facing an imminent threat."
Meanwhile, the Sustainable Operations Manager of Puerto Ventanas S.A., Luis Fuentes, mentioned that "this exercise we carried out today is very important for us, as the port has been certified in the ISPS Code for 24 years, and this practical exercise allows us to visualize our organizational response capacity and communication with the Maritime Authority to face a contingency. It was a very successful exercise that allows us to test our preparedness for a contingency."
Finally, it should be noted that this type of exercise allows for on-site evaluation of procedures, communication systems, and the reaction capabilities of the Maritime Authority, strengthening joint preparedness and contributing to maintaining safer ports and adequate protection of vessels, their facilities, and the people who work in the port sector.
