A roll-on-roll-off ferry is to declare a "Mayday" alert while en route from Dublin Port to Liverpool this morning. "Seriously injured" passengers will be airlifted to safety. It is expected to be one of the largest rescue exercises of its type in Dublin Bay.
The Irish Coast Guard advised that the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire would provide a good vantage point.
The "major maritime emergency situation" due to start in Scotsman's Bay has been designed as a training exercise for all the units involved with sea safety, and emergency support ashore. It is expected to serve as a test for the Dublin Metropolitan Major Emergency Plan.
Irish Coast Guard units from Dun Laoghaire, Greystones and Howth will be mustered, along with the Dublin-based Sikorsky helicopter, the RNLI lifeboats, the Commissioners of Irish Lights tender Granuaile, Dun Laoghaire Garda, the Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire harbour companies, Dublin Fire Brigade, Dublin Civil Defence, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the reserve Defence Forces.
Merchant Ferries is providing the "guinea pig", its ro-ro ferry, Dawn Merchant, along with master and crew. The Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre will direct operations from Department of the Marine headquarters in Leeson Lane.
The Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey, has appealed for calm in advance. "I want to assure members of the public, who see rescue helicopters, emergency service vehicles, lifeboats and personnel in the area that they should not be alarmed."
