Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang has asked the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to better its performance and enhance operational efficiency.

Working with leaders of the centre on January 25, the minister pointed out some of its shortcomings, especially in the application of technology and its research and rescue procedures.

He said the centre staff should stay on duty around the clock to be ready to update information and give a timely response to emergencies.

The minister also asked the centre to make a specific reform plan to improve its efficiency.

Maritime research and rescue is not only humanitarian work, but also an important activity protecting national maritime sovereignty by ensuring safety for over 130,000 offshore fishing vessels, he emphasised.

He held that it is crucial to enhance international cooperation in the field through agreements with regional countries.

Such centres nationwide should exert more efforts in minimising loss while improving the capacity and sense of responsibility of all staff, he said.

According to MRCC Director General Nguyen Anh Vu, the centre manages four regional branches covering all Vietnam’s waters.

However, Vu said due to a shortage in forces, the centres are facing many difficulties, especially in safety supervision and inspection.

He proposed that the Ministry of Transport invest more in building large-capacity search and rescue vessels and improve logistical facilities for the centre.-VNA