Tallink Silja Line Conducts Realistic Sea Rescue Exercise
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, Tallink Grupp, in collaboration with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board and Tallinn SAR Voluntary Sea Rescue, held a full-scale sea rescue exercise in the Bay of Tallinn. This groundbreaking exercise was specifically designed to hone the skills of Tallink Silja Line’s maritime safety instructors.
Realistic Training in Challenging Conditions
The exercise focused on simulating real-life scenarios, pushing instructors to their limits in challenging offshore conditions. Twelve instructors, who also hold crucial roles in their respective ship crews, participated in the training. The event involved a simulated sea-level rescue from a life raft, where instructors practiced survival skills and first aid techniques, particularly in dealing with hypothermia.
“Marine safety is one of our most important priorities at Tallink Silja Line,” stated Rasmus Leinsalu, Project Manager at the Tallink’s Training Centre and coordinator for the joint exercise. “We ensure all crew members undergo regular safety courses mandated by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) to demonstrate their proficiency in firefighting, evacuation procedures, crisis management, and rescue equipment operation.”
Improving Crew Preparedness
The exercise involved a series of demanding scenarios: Instructors first experienced the chilling effects of cold water immersion, practicing survival techniques and assisting others experiencing hypothermia. Subsequently, they navigated a simulated abandoned ship situation, utilizing life rafts and practicing survival skills until rescue arrived. The final stage involved a realistic sea rescue operation conducted by the volunteer rescue teams in near darkness.
Leinsalu emphasized the value of these realistic exercises: “This intensive training provided our instructors with an exceptionally realistic understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in distress. The experience will allow us to better prepare our crew members for potential crisis situations, enhance our marine safety competencies, and improve cooperation with our partners.”
Partnerships and Future Training
This successful exercise involved not only Tallink Grupp’s safety instructors but also Estonian Police and Border Guard teams, volunteers from MTÜ Tallinn SAR Sea Rescue, and key members of the association’s management. Tallink Grupp has a long-standing partnership with Tallinn SAR Voluntary Sea Rescue, providing support for rescue equipment and jointly promoting sea rescue and self-rescue skills in children.
Tallink Grupp plans to continue conducting similar full-scale sea rescue exercises in the future, striving to further refine the skills of its crews. The next exercise will focus on practicing helicopter rescue from a life raft.
Learn more about Tallink Silja Line’s commitment to maritime safety and their partnership with Tallinn SAR Voluntary Sea Rescue. Visit their website today.