The Ministry of National Security, through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team (DRRMT), will conduct the Caribe Wave 25 Tsunami Exercise on Thursday, 20 March, at 11:00 A.M. local time.
This annual drill is designed to assess Bermuda’s emergency communication systems and response protocols in the event of a tsunami in order to reinforce the Island’s preparedness efforts.
Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, underscored the significance of such exercises, stating: “While the likelihood of a tsunami impacting Bermuda remains low, our commitment to readiness must remain high.
“This exercise enhances our ability to respond swiftly and effectively, ensuring we are equipped to protect lives and property should the unexpected occur.”
The exercise will simulate the impact of a powerful 8.6-magnitude earthquake in the Azores-Cape St. Vincent Ridge, triggering a series of test tsunami notifications.
The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS)—the Island’s designated Tsunami Warning Focal Point—will initiate the exercise by issuing a test tsunami watch and subsequent updates to key emergency agencies, including the Maritime Operations Centre (MAROps) and the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO).
Participating agencies will enact their tsunami contingency plans throughout the day to test the effectiveness of Bermuda’s emergency alert systems and response coordination. The drill will also evaluate public notification strategies to ensure that timely and accurate information reaches residents during a tsunami threat.
Minister Weeks added: “Exercises like Caribe Wave 25 allow us to identify gaps and refine our emergency response framework. Public safety remains our top priority, and we must continue to engage in proactive training to safeguard our community from potential disasters, however unlikely they may seem.”
Caribe Wave is a region-wide exercise coordinated by the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunamis and Coastal Hazards in the Caribbean (ICG CARIBE-EWS) under UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
Bermuda’s participation aligns with international best practices in disaster preparedness. This ensures collaboration with regional partners and agencies such as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Following the exercise, officials will conduct a virtual debrief on 27 March to review lessons learned and enhance Bermuda’s tsunami response strategies.
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