MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine and Chilean navies in Beagle channel joint sea and air exercise

“After 15 years of this exercise which means 'confidence' between our navies, the purpose is greater combined operation capability” said captain Galeazzi.

Argentina and Chile are holding their annual joint naval exercise in the Beagle channel, in the framework of the 1984 Friendship Treaty, to test their combined sea an air capabilities in the region. This includes emergency and humanitarian situations; maritime traffic control as well as search and rescue operations, operating from Puerto Williams in Chile.

 According to a Chilean navy report this year the “Viekaren XV” combined exercise consists of locating a vessel in emergency distress, with the purpose of containing a potential major contaminating spill.

“After fifteen years of this exercise which means 'confidence' between the two navies, the purpose is to create a greater combined operation capability, and to know us better”, said Argentina's Austral Naval Area chief of staff Captain Gabriel Galeazzi.

“We face common challenges in the area regarding maritime traffic, and it is essential to share experiences and standardize procedures and this exercise increases our capacities in standing procedures to face emergencies in the Beagle Channel”, added Galeazzi.

Chilean navy Captain Patricio Espinosa, head of Chile's Beagle Naval District, said that the exercise has been planned and ready since 20 July, and once vessels are out at sea, “all situations become real and the units will have to know how to react, with the exception of the contamination test which is a simulation. Nevertheless vessels will have to display contention floaters and barriers with the purpose of attenuating the emergency impacts”.

Among the main challenges are weather and geography factors in the area since there are situations with life risk and also environment disasters, “and since they are accidents, it's never scheduled when they are going to happen and we must be ready”, said Captain Espinosa.

Given the characteristics and conditions of this year's operations there will be an increase in the number of divers and rescue experts, “since it's going to be a challenging scenario”.