New joint centre to boost search and rescue missions
03.08.2009
Seychelles is now better equipped to bring a high level of efficiency and reliability to search and rescue missions in its exclusive economic zone and extended region.
This follows the opening on Friday of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), at the Seychelles Coast Guard’s (SCG) naval base on Bois de Rose Avenue.
The new centre, which will be run by the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration and the SCG was opened by Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Transport Joel Morgan.
The ceremony was attended by principal secretary for natural resources and transport Veronique Herminie, chief of staff of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces Colonel Clifford Roseline, chief executive of the SCAA Gilbert Faure, high government officials, staff of the SCAA and personnel of the SCG.
Addressing those present, Mr Morgan said that despite the continual advances made in telecommunications technology, a search and rescue mission – especially at sea – remains a challenging and sometimes dangerous occupation.
He said the new centre will not only boost the search and rescue chain and cooperation that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and International Maritime Organisation have been recommending in recent years, but also marks a significant step forward not only for Seychelles but for the region and for the maritime and civil aviation communities.
Mr Morgan said the opening is also testimony to the ability of the government to envisage such a scheme and then to allow technicians and operational staff to draw up a detailed work plan that has been the key to this remarkable achievement.
“Such an achievement clearly demonstrates to the maritime and civil aviation communities that Seychelles is a serious partner and committed to development and application of new technologies,” he added.
This, he said, will help to safeguard the industry and promote its development, on a par with other regional and global service providers that specialise in search and rescue.
Mr Morgan said the centre will let Seychelles show the outside world its competence to manage and deliver in line with its commitment to continuously improve its search and rescue infrastructure to satisfy international expectations.
Mr Faure said the JRCC is a recommendation of the ICAO through the Chicago Convention signed in December 1944, which recognises the importance of cooperation in air and sea rescue.
He explained that the joint centre will ease search and rescue operations as all the agencies involved will be based at one site.