Exercise Prepares For Olympic Sailing

7 June 2011, 09:40 | Updated: 7 June 2011, 09:44

Police, coastguards, firecrews and the Royal Navy are doing their first big Olympic security exercise on the water in Weymouth, where next year's sailing events will be held.

It's at the same time as the sixth ISAF Sailing World Cup Regatta, Skandia Sail for Gold, is taking place (5th - 11th June).

Over 1,000 sailors from 62 nations, including a number of World and Olympic champions, will be competing in Weymouth.

Dorset Police is taking the opportunity to use Sail for Gold as a backdrop for an exercise to help in the preparations for a safe and secure sailing event for 2012. 

This will see a number of local Dorset agencies including Dorset Police, The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, the Coastguard and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, working with the Royal Navy. 

On Tuesday 7 June, HMS Bulwark will be in Weymouth Bay and will act as the maritime control platform for these exercises. Other smaller vessels, Royal Marines, helicopters and divers will also take part.

Dorset Police is working with the organisers of Sail for Gold and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), to ensure that the exercise is not only realistic, but doesn't compromise the sailing event taking place at the same time.

When the Games are on the Royal Navy will provide specialist support on the water to help with the wider policing operation.