Jawar Al Khaleej Maritime L.L.C. (JAK Maritime) has joined the Maritime Search and Rescue Council (MSAR Council) as an Organisational Member and has become the Council’s first Approved Training Centre (ATC) in the Middle East.
The new partnership marks an important step in strengthening maritime search and rescue training capability in the region, providing JAK Maritime with the ability to deliver MSAR Council-certified training programmes internally through its own qualified instructors.
As part of the approval process, JAK Maritime’s search and rescue personnel completed a series of MSAR Council training programmes, including Train the Trainer courses. The organisation also underwent an Approved Training Centre inspection and quality assurance process covering its training facility within its Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC).
JAK Maritime can now deliver approved MSAR Council-certified training programmes directly to its personnel, creating a sustainable in-house training capability to support the continued professional development of its search and rescue services. Further training programmes are already progressing through the approval process.
Captain Matthew Schanck, Chairman of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, said:
“We are proud to welcome JAK Maritime as both an Organisational Member and our first Approved Training Centre in the Middle East. This partnership is about much more than delivering training courses; it is about creating a sustainable, in-house capability.
“Through their commitment to instructor development, quality assurance and professional standards, JAK Maritime is now equipped to deliver Maritime Search and Rescue Council-certified training programmes internally using its own qualified instructors, with additional programmes already progressing through the approval process.
“This partnership strengthens operational readiness today while building the long-term search and rescue capability needed for the future.”
Matthew Evans, SAR Manager at JAK Maritime, highlighted the challenges that many search and rescue organisations face in accessing appropriate training, particularly those operating in remote or challenging regions.
“Training remains one of the most persistent challenges facing SAR organisations. While the number of available training programmes continues to grow, many organisations struggle to access them effectively, particularly when teams are geographically remote or operate in regions affected by regional tensions that limit conventional training delivery.
“The Maritime SAR Council has distinguished itself by addressing this challenge directly, offering practical guidance and tailored solutions that reflect the day-to-day realities SAR organisations face. This is an issue we believe resonates across the global SAR community, and one where the Council’s approach offers a model worth highlighting.”
The partnership forms part of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council’s wider work to support professional standards, training and capability development across the international SAR community.
The Council is also continuing to develop its Maritime Emergency and Coastguard Centre of Excellence (MECCOE) network, supporting organisations seeking to strengthen maritime emergency response and coastguard capabilities.
For more information about MSAR Council training programmes, Organisational Membership, the Approved Training Centre programme or the MECCOE network, contact council@maritimesar.org.
