Officer-in-charge of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Captain Ahmed Shiyam revealed plans to establish 10 monitoring stations across Maldives to reduce the incidence of marine accidents.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Boat Operators Training Programme, Captain Shiyam stated that 10 stations capable of receiving distress signals sent via VHF radio systems would be established prior to the end of 2019. The MRCC head asserted that the monitoring stations would be able to provide immediate assistance upon receiving distress messages.
Shiyam noted that most people did not know how to utilize safety equipment despite such implements being installed aboard the majority of vessels. For example, he noted that MRCC surveys revealed that people were often unaware of how to use VHF radios.
Highlighting that VHF systems could be used to transmit and pick up various types of distress and warning signals, Shiyam stated that accidents were still likely to occur due to lack of information.
In 2018, a total of 394 marine accidents were reported to have occurred in Maldives.
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