The Search Mission Coordinator (SMC) course, aligned with IMO Model Course 3.14 standards established by the International Maritime Organization, equips participants with the essential knowledge and skills required to plan, coordinate, and manage maritime search and rescue (SAR) missions at the coordination- centre level.
Interactive sessions enable participants to assess distress information, determine search areas, and evaluate environmental and operational factors such as weather, drift, and available SAR resources, supported by practical examples and case studies. The course progresses to mission planning and coordination techniques essential for effective SAR operations, covering search action plan development, selection and tasking of SAR units, and information management.
The course begins with the fundamental principles of SAR coordination, highlighting the SMC’s critical role in managing search missions, including understanding SAR organisation, alerting and reporting procedures, communication systems, and the coordination structure between RCCs, sub-centres, and supporting agencies.
Emphasising post-mission responsibilities, the course addresses effective mission review, documentation, evaluation of outcomes, and identification of lessons learned to enhance future SAR operations. The programme concludes with a comprehensive debrief, providing feedback on participant performance and reinforcing readiness to undertake real-world duties as a Search Mission Coordinator.