Date: 16/01/2007
Source: Department of Transport
Title: Radebe: Southern Africa Sub-regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre


Remarks At the Signing Ceremony of the Southern Africa Sub-regional Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) by Mr Jeff Radebe (MP) Minister of Transport, Waterfront Cape Town

Programme Director,
His Excellency, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), MR E Mitropolis,
Ambassador F Fazeda of Mozambique,
Mr A Mouigini from the Comoros,
Mr T Sarobidy from Madagascar,
All Chief Executives Present,
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have this morning, witnessed another significant milestone in our quest to provide the Southern Africa sub-region with effective and efficient search and rescue services, namely, the signing of a multilateral agreement by four countries out of the six identified for this purpose.

I believe and hope that the other countries missing in our stable will join the bandwagon later. Information at my disposal, suggests that Namibia has confirmed that she will sign the agreement later this month.

The agreement paved the way for the establishment of the sub-regional Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in South Africa and sub-regional Maritime Sub-centres in the Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and Namibia. This is a groundbreaking development with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the region's commitment to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in terms of economic growth, trade and development as well as international trade.

I am confident that the MRCC and Africa's regional member countries will work together to address the envisaged challenges within the maritime industry. These include the establishment of appropriate institutional arrangements to monitor and oversee the implementation of the agreement. The challenges of insufficient or lack of relevant Search and Rescue (SAR) infrastructure, lack of well-trained staff and lack of SAR facilities will have to be addressed with the participation of all role-players in the maritime industry.

South Africa was proactive in approach in that the current South African MRCC was refurbished in anticipation of her extended mandate of hosting the sub-regional MRCC. The Cape Town MRCC is now ready to assume this additional responsibility.

The establishment of the MRCC will enhance the provision of a state of the art regional safer and more secure environment where life is valued and consequently attract aviation and maritime related industries.

Among others, this will promote sustainable commerce, tourism, and recreation thereby boosting the economy and a capability to respond quickly to emergencies to reduce the severity of accidents or death. I must stress that South Africa is committed to be a global player in search and rescue matters and will continue to give her unwavering support to the objectives and efforts of the IMO and the SADC region to make search and rescue a worldwide system. Today South Africa has contributed R100 000 to be used in the operations of the International Maritime Security Fund. The South African Government is looking forward to high level regional and international relations within the maritime industry and thereby enhancing global economic growth.

I thank you!

Issued by: Department of Transport
16 January 2007