Joint search and rescue exercise in the Gulf of Trieste under MMO ADRIA 2026

The maritime authorities of Italy, Croatia and Slovenia held a joint search and rescue exercise (SARex) in the Gulf of Trieste on 22 September, with the participation of EMSA, the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The exercise took place within the framework of the Multipurpose Maritime Operation (MMO) ADRIA 2026.

The coordination room at MRSC Trieste, where the Joint Coordination Team followed the exercise

An Italian Coast Guard operator at MRSC Trieste during the exercise. Photo: @avditaly

The Italian Coast Guard hosted the exercise and coordinated it from the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in Trieste. EMSA coordinated the preparation of the exercise, together with EFCA, Frontex and the maritime authorities of Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. The scenario was a simulated collision involving a fishing vessel. It required the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres in Rome, Koper and Rijeka and MRSC Trieste to exchange information across their Search and Rescue regions, plan the search and coordinate the participating units. They followed the IAMSAR Manual and the existing bilateral agreements between Italy and Croatia and between Italy and Slovenia.

The Italian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel Gregoretti acted as On-Scene Coordinator. The other participating units included:

• EFCA's offshore patrol vessel Ocean Sentinel
• SAR units designated by the Slovenian and Croatian authorities
• Italian Coast Guard patrol boats and a helicopter

A Slovenian search and rescue unit passes EFCA's offshore patrol vessel Ocean Sentinel. Photo: @avditaly	The Italian Coast Guard OPV Gregoretti, On-Scene Coordinator, with a coast guard helicopter and rescue boat.
Aerial view of the Gregoretti with its fast rescue boat alongside. Photo: @avditaly	On the bridge of a Slovenian search and rescue unit during the exercise.

Training manikins or dummies represented persons in the water. The exercise also included a simulated medical evacuation by helicopter, following telemedical advice from Italy's Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service (CIRM).

An Italian Coast Guard helicopter crew winches a rescuer and stretcher during the simulated medical evacuation. Photo: @avditaly

A rescue boat crew recovers a training manikin from the water. Photo: @avditaly

EMSA chaired the Joint Coordination Team, which monitored the exercise and introduced additional scenario inputs to test procedures. EMSA also chaired the pre-exercise briefing and the debriefing that followed the exercise. A communications exercise (COMex) ran at the same time on the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE). The nodes of Italy, Slovenia, EMSA and EFCA exchanged situation reports, requests for assistance and images from the scene.

The Adriatic combines dense commercial traffic, cruise and leisure activity and fishing fleets, and search and rescue responsibilities are shared among several coastal States. Regular joint exercises help the authorities keep shared procedures and communication channels ready, so that they can respond together in real emergencies.

EMSA thanks the Italian Coast Guard for hosting the exercise, and all participating authorities and agencies for their contribution.

Participants from the Italian, Croatian and Slovenian authorities and the EU agencies in Trieste. Photo: @avditaly