Several personnel and units from ten Nato and partner nations have commenced the annual multinational maritime search and rescue (SAR) exercise, Dynamic Mercy, in the Atlantic.

Led by the Nato’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the exercise is being held in the Norwegian Sea and will conclude on 17 May. It began on 19 April.

Dynamic Mercy is witnessing the participation of Nato’s SAR units and facilities along with the member nations of Nato’s Partnership for Peace programme.

The ten nations are France, Iceland, the UK, the US, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Faroe Islands.

Dynamic Mercy 2022 iteration will take place in three different areas including Atlantic North, Atlantic Middle and Atlantic South.

The exercise in the Atlantic North region is scheduled to take place on 19 and 20 April and on 11 May in the northern part of the Norwegian sea.

The Atlantic Middle region exercise was conducted on 26 April in and around the southern part of Norwegian Sea, Skagerrak and the northern parts of the North Sea.

Meanwhile, the exercise in Atlantic South will be carried out on 16 and 17 May in the middle and southern regions of the North Sea and the English Channel.

Throughout the exercise, the personnel and units from the participating countries will train together, in compliance with the procedures and standards mentioned in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) manual.

Dynamic Mercy exercise offers an opportunity for the participating nations to develop cross-boundary and inter-regional cooperation between the Rescue Coordination Centres of Nato’s allies in the Northern region.

The exercise also strengthens the coordination between the Nato’s partner nations that have similar Search and Rescue Region (SRR) boundaries.