Red Sea nations step up search and rescue coordination

A Regional Search and Rescue (SAR) workshop in Mombasa, Kenya (24-28 February 2025) focused on enhancing maritime safety and security in the region, with participants sharing experiences, challenges and best practices in SAR operations.Discussions covered the latest developments on SAR procedures, techniques and equipment, including recent amendments to SOLAS Chapter IV regulations, related to modernizing the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and the recognition of new mobile satellite services.

Seventeen officers, radiocommunication experts, marine engineers and Port State Control officers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen took part, alongside representatives from the EU Mission in Somalia (EUCAP), reinforcing IMO’s efforts to bolster coordination in maritime rescue operations.

The activity was delivered as part of the EU-funded Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area (‘Red Sea Project’). Under the Project, IMO works with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to support participating countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The goal is to improve the capacities of port and land-based law-enforcement authorities in these countries to implement global maritime security and safety standards, while also promoting regional dialogue at the operational-level, based on sound maritime domain awareness (MDA). These efforts align with the objectives of Africa’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS).