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May 30, 2008
A group of around 90 Royal Dutch Marines, mostly based in Aruba, has arrived on Sint
Maarten on Tuesday May 27th 2008 for the annual Hurricane Exercise (HUREX). Some
smaller groups went on to Saba and Sint Eustatius. During this exercise, realistic
scenarios are presented to train the Marines for any kind of emergency or disaster
during the 2008 hurricane season.
HUREX is intended to familiarize the Marines with the situation in the Windward
Islands, know the locations of the hurricane shelters, know the partners in the
disaster management system and to prepare themselves in the event they will have to
render assistance if a hurricane threatens the islands. The HUREX is prepared
annually in close cooperation with the local disaster management organizations.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be used for practical classes and to familiarize
the participants with the islands. On Friday afternoon the actual hurricane
simulation will commence. Some shelters will be manned only on Sint Maarten. The
internal communication system will also be tested on Saba and Sint Eustatius.
Members of the VKS, the Fire Department and Red Cross will assist the Marines
similar to an actual hurricane situation. After the passage of the simulated
hurricane different events will occur over the whole island to which the marines
have to respond.
The public in general is hereby informed that they might notice Marines training,
guarding certain objects or firing blank shots. Any inconvenience caused is hereby
regretted. The group will leave the islands on Monday June 2nd 2008.
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