The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) participated in the annual BREEZE 2026 operational exercise near Burgas, Bulgaria, on 17 July.

The exercise was organised jointly by the Bulgarian Navy and the Bulgarian Maritime Administration. EMSA’s contribution focused on the mobilisation and deployment of oil spill containment and recovery capabilities.

For the exercise, the agency activated the stand-by oil spill recovery vessel Amalthia, which is based in Constanta, Romania. During the operation, the vessel simulated an oil spill recovery response using its sweeping arms.

EMSA also provided a Current Buster 4 high-speed oil containment and recovery system. The equipment was drawn from the agency’s Equipment Assistance Service stockpile in Varna, Bulgaria, and was deployed at sea by the exercise organisers.

The participation of the vessel and specialised equipment demonstrated the mobilisation of response resources from locations in both Romania and Bulgaria for an exercise conducted in the waters near Burgas.

According to the supplied information, the exercise activities were observed by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria. The source does not identify the president by name and provides no further details about the observation programme.

The available source material also does not specify the simulated pollution scenario, the number of participating vessels or personnel, the duration of the wider exercise, or any conclusions drawn from the deployment. It does not report whether additional response assets were involved or provide an assessment of the equipment’s performance.

BREEZE 2026 adds to EMSA’s participation in operational activities involving marine pollution preparedness and response equipment. The agency’s role in the Burgas exercise included both a stand-by recovery vessel and a containerised high-speed system intended for containing and recovering oil at sea.

EMSA published its notice on the exercise on 21 July 2026.