OneX at the 2024 BALEX Delta Exercise

New HNS games added to Sea Alarm’s OneX tabletop exercise package were trialled at the August 2024 BALEX Delta exercise held in Lithuania. The new additions allow participants to delve into the behaviour of several real HNS products and engage in scenario-based discussions on the challenges, safety concerns and limitations of responding to incidents with these substances. A large group of international participants from Baltic authorities and other stakeholders took part in the discussions, which were lively and engaging. Having some knowledgeable persons in the room also helped to inform those less familiar about HNS response.

During the week, Sea Alarm also observed the wildlife response elements of the main BALEX exercise and had the opportunity to exchange with Lithuanian wildlife response organisations (Lithuanian Sea Museum) on the challenges and modalities of responding to a wildlife incident in Lithuania.

BALEX exercises are hosted by the Contracting Parties of the Helsinki Convention, according to a schedule agreed on by the HELCOM Response Working Group. BALEX has been held every year since 1989 and this edition was hosted by the Lithuanian navy. Thanks go to Igor Kuzmenko for creating space for the exercise and providing an opportunity to use OneX in such an important international event.