Pacific search and rescue capacity to improve through cooperation and coordination

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A Regional workshop on Search and Rescue is currently being held in Auckland, New Zealand.  The aim of this workshop is to improve regional collaboration through formal protocols and communication to ensure the SAR response in countries is the same throughout the Pacific.

In his opening address, Director Maritime New Zealand, Keith Manch said “the Pacific’s wild weather and vast distances make it a challenging location for search and rescue. We’re privileged to host this workshop – it’s a key event for building SAR relationships and capability across the region.”

SPC Deputy Director Transport, Thierry Nervale in his keynote address said: “an effective and successful search and rescue operation is always founded on good coordination and cooperation between leading and supporting agencies, at national, regional and international levels.”

“No single agency can effectively deliver search and rescue services. It requires many partners, agencies and volunteers to share willingness to help and a cooperative spirit,” said Mr Nervale.

“This regional workshop is very vital as it would provide an opportunity for those who have responsibilities in search and rescue, to discuss their common issues and share some best practices on how to resolve them,” says IMO’s Head of the Latin America and Caribbean Section, Technical Cooperation Division, Carlos Salgado.

“The work done at this workshop will improve Pacific SAR responders’ ability to comply with international rules and standards around search and rescue activities,” said Mr Salgado.

The Pacific Search and Rescue (PACSAR) Steering Committee is also seeking participants’ endorsement of their Strategic Plan 2017–2021.

The workshop has attracted more than 100 participants, including government representatives of seventeen Pacific Island countries and territories and four Pacific Search and Rescue principals (Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, New Caledonia Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and the United States Coast Guard).

Solomon Islands is also represented at this workshop.

ENDS///

More on Solomon Islands update in this sector can be found in the country report available through this link: http://www.spc.int/edd/en/section-01/transport/341-seventh-pacific-regional-search-and-rescue-sar-workshop

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