DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday issued a decision (No. 147 of 2013), establishing the Doha Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
It will function under the Ministry of Defence as a legal entity and will be responsible for conducting and coordinating effective sea and air search and rescue operations according to international laws and standards.
The centre is vested with full authority to carry out this task.
More specifically, it will monitor and receive rescue calls through satellites and forward them to authorities concerned to start search and rescue operations. It will also make communication and contacts with regional and international bodies in the sector and coordinate with civil aviation and other authorities in the country.
The centre will seek to reduce accidents and their impacts through preventive measures and by reinforcing safety requirements.
It will study regional and international agreements related to search and rescue and give recommendations and propose new laws and regulations to achieve its objectives.
The centre will also work to raise awareness among workers, companies and other facilities on safety-related issues.
The Peninsula
