An extensive emergency preparedness drill was carried out on board TUI Cruises’ vessel Mein Schiff 7 while it was berthed at Warnemünde, Germany.
The exercise, coordinated by the Havariekommando in collaboration with TUI, simulated a severe onboard fire scenario involving multiple injured passengers.
Fire brigades from Rostock, Lübeck, and Hamburg participated alongside maritime rescue units. Helicopters were deployed to deliver response teams directly to the vessel, while support craft, including the tug Fairplay 35, the firefighting ship Albert Wegener, and the DGzRS rescue cruiser Arkona assisted operations from the water.
Volunteers acted as injured passengers, enabling crews to conduct search, rescue, evacuation, and medical triage procedures under realistic conditions.
According to Havariekommando director Dr. Robby Renner, the conduct of lifelike drills is essential in maintaining operational readiness. TUI added that such joint exercises are critical in ensuring both shipboard crews and external emergency services are adequately prepared for potential incidents at sea or in port.