Rear Admiral, the Administrator of U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) visits Regional Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre No.I (Haiphong MRCC)

As part of the 7th Vietnam-U.S. Maritime Transport Agreement consultations, on August 13, 2024, a U.S. delegation led by Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration, visited the Regional Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre No. I (Haiphong MRCC) in Haiphong.

Attending the meeting were representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of State, and the Vietnam Maritime Administration. The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (Vietnam MRCC) was represented by Deputy Director Nguyen Van Tinh, Head of the Rescue Coordination Department Nguyen Quoc Thuy, and Director of Haiphong MRCC, Bui Hoang Tiep, along with the leadership team of Haiphong MRCC.

Overview of the U.S. delegation's meeting at RCC I

Deputy Director Nguyen Van Tinh emphasized the strong relationship between the two countries in international maritime events, particularly in search and rescue cooperation. He highlighted the development of Vietnam MRCC’s maritime search and rescue operations, its strengths, and ongoing challenges. As a coastal nation with over 3,200 km of coastline, Vietnam faces significant difficulties from natural hazards like typhoons and monsoons. Despite having advanced search and rescue vessels, their range is limited. To address these issues, the centre has focused on personnel training, technical improvements, and international cooperation, especially seeking continued support from the U.S. in human resources training, technology adoption, and equipment investment to enhance search and rescue capabilities in Vietnam's maritime SRR.

Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips and her delegation at the meeting

Rear Admiral Phillips expressed her gratitude for the warm and thoughtful reception by the leadership of the centre. She affirmed that the friendship between Vietnam and the United States has been nurtured and developed over many years, with search and rescue being a crucial aspect of their cooperation. She praised the centre for its successful efforts in rescuing those in distress at sea, regardless of their vessel, skin colour, or nationality, and acknowledged the bravery of the centre's rescue personnel. As the U.S. Maritime Administrator, she expressed her desire to find more ways to strengthen this partnership and provide maximum support for the development of maritime search and rescue activities in Vietnam.Photo caption 3: The delegation tours SAR 27-01 at Haiphong MRCC’s dock

The working group takes a commemorative photo with the centre's leadership and the crew of the SAR 27-01 search and rescue vessel.

The U.S. delegation visits the SAR 27-01 vessel.

Exchange of commemorative gifts at the end of the meeting

Group photo at Haiphong MRCC