Nearly 400 personnel from Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Germany and Sweden took part, supported by dozens of vessels as well as specialist rescue and environmental teams. The exercise began on Tuesday and included both maritime and land operations.
Scenarios tested by crews involved ship collisions in the Baltic Sea, fuel spills, and water pollution between Świnoujście and Międzyzdroje, contaminating part of the coastline and affecting local bird populations.
During the international BALEX DELTA 2025 exercises in Świnoujście, north-western Poland, 400 specialists from various countries tested how to effectively cooperate in combating marine environmental pollution. Photo: PAP/Marcin Bielecki
For the purpose of the drills, about 200 metres of beach in Świnoujście, in north-western Poland, were closed to the public, according to Adam Rudawski, governor of the West Pomeranian region, who shared footage of the event on social media.
“In these challenging times it is vital to strengthen safety and public preparedness. The more we practise, the more effective we will be,” the politician said.
The exercises were organised by Poland’s Maritime Search and Rescue Service, with the land component coordinated by the West Pomeranian Voivodeship Office.
BALEX DELTA 2025 exercises in the Baltic Sea involved experts from Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Germany and Sweden. Photo: PAP/Marcin Bielecki
Poland was able to host BALEX DELTA 2025 as a signatory to the 1992 Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Baltic Sea Environment.
The treaty created HELCOM – the Helsinki Commission – a regional body that monitors the Baltic Sea ecosystem and coordinates international efforts among member states to prevent and respond to marine hazards and environmental pollution.
One of the main organizers of the drills was the Polish Martime Search and Rescue Service. Photo: PAP/Marcin Bielecki
(mp)
Source: BALEX DELTA 2025/PAP/Facebook.com/rudawskiadam