The Navy of Montenegro in Planning a Multi-Agency Exercise of Search and Rescue and Emergency Response in Case of Sea PollutionAuthors: Marinko Aleksić, Oto Iker, Dražen Božović, Sead Cvrk, Michail Chalaris

This research aimed to provide a comprehensive and practical model for planning, executing, and analyzing multi-agency maritime exercises in Montenegro, focused on search and rescue operations and emergency response to sea pollution from vessels. The primary aim is to improve coordination among various government entities, drawing upon the expertise of the Montenegrin Navy Command's staff and adhering to military standards and the framework of national emergency plans. The study employs a systemic and hierarchical approach, utilizing NATO military methodologies adapted for civilian use, combined with flow modeling and SWOT analysis. The results highlight the importance of improving institutional and legislative frameworks to ensure effective and synchronized operations during maritime incidents. The proposed model was validated through a multi-agency exercise involving 19 national and civilian organizations, demonstrating its practical applicability and potential for future scalability in larger regional exercises. Key findings underline the necessity for enhanced interoperability, optimized resource use, and stronger regional collaboration in the event of major maritime incidents. Additionally, readiness preparations for III mission tasks involving the Navy, Air Force, and Maritime Security Administration forces were emphasized. The model offers a flexible solution for addressing Montenegro’s maritime security challenges, with the potential for expansion to international exercises involving neighboring countries and NATO.