“Its all about saving human lives. Therefore it is very important that we prioritize our resources in an optimum way.” The words come from First Lieutenant Tom Damgaard, deck officer aboard the command ship HDMS THETIS. The officer of the watch has been informed that two vessels have collided. One of them is sinking and there are wounded persons on both vessels. “We have been appointed as On Scene Commander by the Naval District Kattegat. This means we assign tasks to the assisting ships. And we lead and coordinate the common effort.” Luckily its only an exercise under DANEX 06.

A pump is being tested aboard THETIS  before being sent to LAXEN.  Photo: Michael Christiansen

It is the patrol vessels HDMS LOMMEN and HDMS SKADEN which together with THEIS are providing assistance. The damage reports state that two men are missing on one of the vessels, HDMS MSF 1, and one on the other, HDMS LAXEN. Furtermore both ships are on fire and one of them has a leak.

“We will ourselves set course towards LAXEN to send a rescue team to them by rubber dinghy, when we get there. The rescue team will consist of firemen equipped with smoke helmets (‘smoke divers’) and medical assistants. At the same time we will prepare the hospital on THETIS,” explains Tom Damgaard.

LOMMEN is ordered to search for the missing persons which possibly are in the water. “The Navy has search patterns which we use in these cases. They are corrected for current and wind. These patterns give probability of at least 78 per cent for finding a person the water, but that depends very much on human factors. If two vessels are used, the probability rises to at least 90 per cent. Therefore THETIS also participates in the search as soon as the rescue teams are sent to the damaged vessel and any wounded are evacuated to our hospital,” says Tom Damgaard.

Aboard THETIS a doctor and medical  assistants give life-saving first aid and  prepare the wounded for further  transport on helicopter to hospitals  ashore. Here doctor Ina R. Scapiro  examines an evacuated person from  LAXEN.  Photo: Michael Christiansen

Soon the ships arrive at the damaged vessels. Before this the rubber dinghies have been packed and the personnel has been given instructions. The fire aboard the two damaged ships is quickly put out. Two of the three missing persons are found, so luckily there is only one man in the water. Wounded are transported by rubber dinghy to THETIS where a doctor and medical assistants are ready to provide first aid. Badly wounded must be brought to a hospital ashore for treatment. This transport is done by helicopter.

Luckily its only an exercise. But it is a task that has a high prioirty in the Navy. Both for the ships of the Navy and the many vessels of the Naval Home Guard which are stationed all over the country and also participate in surveillance of Danish waters.

Text: Michael Christiansen, SPAO DATG