Last Wednesday, the Galisbay nautical base has transformed into a full-size training ground. Twenty-two students from Mont des Accords College participated in a tsunami simulation exercise, supervised by their teachers and the base teams. Purpose of the exercise: to test evacuation reflexes and to remind students of the importance of preparation for natural hazards.
As soon as the alert signal was given, the students left the facilities to reach a secure high point in Agrément, protected from possible marine submersion. Timed at ten minutes and thirty seconds, the exercise demonstrated good coordination between students and supervisors. “Save lives before equipment”: this was the central instruction of this training.
The operation took place in the presence of Prefect Cyrille Le Vély, Vice-Rector Harry Christophe and the 2nd VP of the COM, Bernadette Davis, who came to salute the mobilization and rigor of the participants. This exercise was part of the National Resilience Day, dedicated to raising public awareness of major risks.
Classified in seismic zone 5, the highest national level, the island of Saint-Martin is exposed to several natural risks: earthquakes, cyclones, submersions and landslides. Hence the need for these regular training sessions: In the case of a local earthquake, a tsunami could hit the coast in less than fifteen minutes..
On Wednesday morning, a similar simulation was held in Friar's Bay. New tsunami exercise will take place on October 30, this time on a larger scale, with activation of the alert chain and complete evacuation of a beach. _Vx
See also: https://www.faxinfo.fr/journee-nationale-de-la-resilience-2025-focus-sur-le-risque-tsunami-2/
https://faxinfo.fr/en/exercice-tsunami-apprendre-les-bons-reflexes-pour-sauver-des-vies/
