A new building for the Maldives Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) has been inaugurated in Villimalé, marking a boost to the country’s maritime emergency response capabilities.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), inaugurated the facility.
The ceremony was attended by Japanese Ambassador Ishigami Rumiko and senior Maldivian officials. Speaking at the ceremony, Ishigami highlighted the strong Maldives-Japan ties and reaffirmed Tokyo’s support for the Maldives’ development efforts.
The centre will serve as a key hub for coordinating operations to protect lives and property during maritime and aviation emergencies.
Funded by the Japanese government, the facility includes a modern operations room, classrooms and an auditorium to support training and capacity development. The project was coordinated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with technological support from Australia.
The foundation stone for the facility was laid on 23 June 2022, though construction was delayed. After taking office, President Muizzu prioritised the project as part of efforts to strengthen MNDF Coastguard capabilities.
The new MRCC building houses a modern operations room, classrooms for trainings, and an auditorium.
The Maldives’ maritime rescue services date back to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, with the first centre established in Villimalé in January 2006 and later renamed the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in 2012.
According to the MNDF, the centre has responded to 3,713 emergencies over the past decade, helping rescue 8,359 people, vessels and property through coordinated search and rescue operations.
