A supposed submarine accident, contradictory information, media pressure and uncertainty among family members... It seems real, but it is actually the Cartago 25 crisis communication simulation exercise organised by the Spanish Navy Submarine Fleet and the UCAM Faculty of Communication.

More than 50 third- and fourth-year students studying Journalism, Audiovisual Communication, and Advertising and Public Relations have participated in this immersive experience, which took place on 20 and 21 May at the Submarine Base in Cartagena.

In the simulated crisis, an Armada submarine disappears during an operation. Faced with uncertainty about the crew's whereabouts, emergency protocols are activated while rumours, leaks on social media and intense media pressure emerge. The students must react by applying their knowledge to manage information, provide real-time coverage and evaluate the role of institutional spokespersons. Press conferences, urgent statements and communication strategies are combined in a highly demanding and realistic environment.

The activity is part of the Radio Information, Television Information, and Communication and Image Management subjects. José Manuel López, Frigate Captain and spokesperson for the exercise, explained that the aim was ‘to simulate a critical situation such as the loss of a submarine so that students could experience first-hand how to manage a real communications crisis, with all the pressure that this entails and using tools such as press conferences and social media’.

For many years, UCAM has worked closely with the Armada on educational, cultural and social projects. This initiative reinforces the university's commitment to practical teaching, connected to the professional world and key institutions in the region.