LIVEX 2024: Large-Scale Maritime Rescue Exercise Strengthens Cooperation at Sea
On Saturday, June 1, 2024, hundreds of rescue workers, vessels, and aircraft took part in LIVEX 2024, a large-scale maritime evacuation exercise off the Dutch coast near IJmuiden.
The operation simulated a mass evacuation from a passenger vessel at sea, offering emergency services a realistic opportunity to train together under challenging conditions.
The operation simulated a mass evacuation from a passenger vessel at sea, offering emergency services a realistic opportunity to train together under challenging conditions.
The scenario centered on the evacuation of a passenger ferry, with over 500 volunteer passengers acting as evacuees.
Using lifeboats, helicopters, and support vessels, participants practiced transferring people safely from ship to shore, followed by medical assessment and registration at designated reception centers on land.
The exercise was active from 09:00 to 14:30, covering both sea and shore operations.
Using lifeboats, helicopters, and support vessels, participants practiced transferring people safely from ship to shore, followed by medical assessment and registration at designated reception centers on land.
The exercise was active from 09:00 to 14:30, covering both sea and shore operations.
LIVEX 2024 brought together a wide range of organizations, including the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM), the Dutch Coastguard, Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Services, Rijkswaterstaat, the Red Cross, and regional safety authorities such as Veiligheidsregio Kennemerland.
The complexity of the scenario tested coordination across sea, air, and land domains — ensuring that all partners could communicate effectively and respond as one in case of a real maritime emergency.
The complexity of the scenario tested coordination across sea, air, and land domains — ensuring that all partners could communicate effectively and respond as one in case of a real maritime emergency.
