The Solomon Islands Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was given a huge boost in capacity last week as a result of RAMSI sponsored training in the latest search and rescue software. MRCC’s training in the software, Search And Rescue Mapping Analysis Program (SARMAP), was then tested almost immediately with a successful search and rescue situation initiated just two days after training was completed. RAMSI’s Maritime Team Leader, Jim Guthrie, praised the MRCC team for their efforts in the pursuit of building local search and rescue capacity. Jim said “I was impressed with the team’s level of enthusiasm and commitment to this training and to their role in maritime safety”. Gold Coast Manager of RPS APASA, (who distribute the software), Sasha Zigic, travelled to the Solomon Islands to deliver the training. He said “delivering SARMAP and providing the training was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in regards to implementing SARMAP. The MRCC team overcame many obstacles to take part in this training and have demonstrated their commitment and passion to maritime safety in the Pacific.” SARMAP is a software program that rapidly provides search and rescue modeling over time. Training in SARMAP has been long awaited by the MRCC which has been hampered by funding, timing and resourcing issues. Earlier this year, RAMSI recognized the essential need for this training and facilitated the workshop. The two-day workshop, held on 24 and 25 June 2014, was eagerly anticipated by MRCC staff. The SARMAP training, and the MRCC’s commitment to implementing the training, positions the Solomon Islands as the leading South Pacific island nation in coordinating maritime search and rescue operations. SARMAP models the movements of people and vessels in the water based on real time environmental conditions including wind and water currents. This modeling has the potential to vastly reduce the time taken to locate and rescue victims at sea as it plots a search area to which sea and air assets can be directed. SARMAP’S ability to assist in a search and rescue situation was tested just two days after the training when 10 fishermen went missing at sea. The fishermen’s last known position was reported to the MRCC who promptly used SARMAP to plot their potential drift movements. An international operation was initiated between MRCC, RAMSI and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Rescue Coordination Centre which resulted in a successful rescue. The fishermen were found by a vessel from a fishing fleet directed into the search area identified by the MRCC using SARMAP. The MRCC is staffed on a 24/7 basis by five Solomon Islanders who are dedicated to keeping the vast waters of the country as safe as possible. Given that the country comprises more than 900 islands, this is a mammoth task. RAMSI anticipates its long time association with the MRCC will continue into the future as the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Authority continues to enhance its capabilities.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 03:33:02 +0000
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