FIRE fighters from Bury took to the waves last week as they practised an emergency ship rescue operation.

The crew joined 100 staff and volunteers from seven other stations and partner organisations at the Manchester Ship Canal on April 16.

The operation, codenamed Exercise Snowdrop, simulated an engine room fire onboard a passenger ferry, and was the first of its kind to be held in the region.

The scenario also saw a series of knock-on incidents, including someone who had to be rescued after falling and injuring themselves.

The five Bury crew members, from Greater Manchester's only Environmental Protection Unit, tackled a simulated diesel leak in to the canal's waters.

Rick Taylor, watch manager at Bury Fire Station, who took part in the training, said: "We set up some oil absorbent boons that we put around the ferry with the help of the boat from the Water Incident Unit from Eccles.

"This was set up to contain any leaking engine oil. We then worked with the port authorities to set up a further boon.

"It was a really useful exercise and we are intending on returning and doing further training with the port authority in the near future."

The day-long operation was designed to test GMFRS's maritime response ahead of plans to increase shipping traffic on the canal.

Mr Taylor said: "They are looking to increase the amount of ships going up and down, so we are training to develop plans for if there was an incident.

"It's great to work with other stations, the environment agency, and the port agency."

Over the course of the training, staff from Mersey Ferries, who provided the ship, were given the opportunity to see what they would need to do in an emergency.

The boat docked at the emergency dock of American trading company Cargill where firefighters and other responders got the 36 passengers, played by volunteers, off the vessel.

Onboard smoke machines used to create the simulated fire, and GMFRS Technical Units and ambulance crews rescued a ship's engineer who had fallen down a flight of stairs and suffered back and neck injuries.

Station Manager at Eccles Community Fire Station and Exercise Coordinator, Steve Jordan, said: "The exercise was essential in testing out how we respond to this type of incident.

"The exercise went well and was a success. It offered huge learning opportunities for all parties.

"The success of the exercise could not have been achieved without the efforts of all the partners. Thank you to all of them for their assistance and to all GMFRS staff who helped with the exercise."