Gulf of Cagliari to host SQUALO 2026 international rescue drill

The SQUALO 2026 international maritime search and rescue (SAR) exercise is scheduled to take place in the Gulf of Cagliari on September 24. Coordinated by the 13th Maritime Rescue Sub Centre of the Cagliari Coast Guard, the drill is part of the SARMEDOCC cooperation agreement between Italy, France, and Spain.

The exercise will simulate a complex emergency involving the water landing of a Boeing 737-800 carrying 55 passengers following a hydraulic failure on a flight from Tunis-Carthage to Alghero. The scenario includes a ‘MAYDAY’ call, loss of radio contact, aircraft search, survivor recovery, helicopter intervention, underwater operations, and the management of a simulated fuel spill.

Participating organizations include the Coast Guard, Air Force, Finance Guard, Carabinieri, Firefighters, State Police, Civil Protection, and the Italian Red Cross, alongside various international observers and agencies.