Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

VI Shipping Registry to develop Rescue Coordination Centre

VI Shipping Registry to develop Rescue Coordination Centre

The Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR) is in the process of developing a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) with assistance by AMP Global Strategies.

According to a press release from the Government of the [British] Virgin Islands on October 28, 2021, an RCC is a facility that acts as the national central point for executing and managing a nation’s maritime safety and communication obligations.

Gov't has responsibility under International Convention


These obligations, according to the press release, are outlined in the “International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea” (SOLAS), which states that contracting Governments should ensure that arrangements are made for distress communication and co-ordination in their area of responsibility and for the rescue of persons in distress at sea around its coasts.

Noting that SOLAS was extended to the Virgin Islands on June 10, 2004, the Director of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry, Mr John M. Samuel, said, “As a party to the convention, the Virgin Islands should implement laws and policies which enforce their obligations as agreed under the convention.”

Our duty as the 'Sailing Capital of the World'- John M. Samuel


He added, “The Virgin Islands boast the title “Sailing Capital of the World”, and it’s our duty to keep our waters safe for all users. SOLAS requires that we protect the lives at sea. With its sophisticated communication networks and state of the art software capabilities, an RCC will improve the communication range of our safety systems and this, along with other VISR operational improvements, will improve our ability as a Territory to respond to both short and long-range emergencies within the maritime areas of Virgin Islands responsibility.”

According to the press release, the proposed RCC in the VI will be housing various modes of vessel communication, including Very High Frequency (VHF), Medium and High Frequency (MF/HF) radios and Satellite communication (SAT-C). The distress alerts from vessels will be processed by advanced software systems, which will improve search and rescue response and success. The RCC will also be provided with facilities for transmitting urgent coastal marine safety information to vessels for warning ships of any imminent navigational or meteorological hazard.

Rescuing at sea is currently mainly coordinated and executed by Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR).


RCC to go out to both local & international tenders


Mr Samuel explained that AMP Global Strategies are leaders in providing world-class communication systems, infrastructure, equipment, cybersecurity, and consulting services to Governments and the private sector.

He elaborated by saying, “AMP have been engaged to assist us in transforming our requirements into quantifiable and measurable technical specifications that can be communicated through a tender process to prospective bidders. AMP Global Strategies will be instrumental in formulating the final technical specification for the global tender of the RCC buildout and assist the Government in evaluating the tenders prior to award.”

In the coming months, VISR and AMP will be working alongside the Ministry of Finance’s Procurement Unit throughout the bidding process for the building of the RCC, which will be open to both local and international tenders.

The Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR), according to the press release, maintains high standards of marine safety, and is continuously working towards a safer and more secure environment for maritime related industries in the Virgin Islands.

Rescuing at sea is currently mainly coordinated and executed by Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR).

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
OpenAI’s Bold Bet: Teaching AI to Think, Not Just Chat
Tesla Seeks Shareholder Approval for $29 Billion Compensation Package for Elon Musk
Nvidia is cutting prices on its RTX 50-series graphics cards after sales slowed and inventories piled up
Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred to Minimum-Security Prison Amid Ongoing DOJ Discussions
U.S. Tariffs Surge to Highest Levels in Nearly a Century Under Second Trump Term
Matt Taibbi Slams Media for Role in Russiagate Narrative
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
×