A delegation from Joaan bin Jassim Academy for Defence and Security Studies (Joint Command and Staff College), headed by Colonel Abdul Hadi Al Dossari, visited the Maritime Security Centre (MSC) in the Sultanate of Oman.

The delegation was greeted upon arrival at the MSC by Commodore Mohammed Hamoud Al Zedjali, Head of the MSC, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

Members of the visiting delegation were briefed on the tactical roles and tasks carried out by the centre in the safety of the maritime environment. They also toured the centre’s facilities and viewed its latest equipment and technologies used in carrying out its national duties.

The MSC coordinates with the Omani concerned agencies of the maritime security. In addition, the Centre collects and analyzes received data. It also shares such data with a number of international maritime security agencies that are monitoring threats to maritime security.

MSC operates around the clock by an Omani crew from various military, security and civilian agencies that are related to maritime security. The Centre receives incident reports through several available means and channels in order to provide proper and rapid response to the incident. The crew monitors constantly and 24/7 the Omani Maritime zone through specialized systems and equipment in order to maintain safety and stability.

The duties and responsibilities of the Centre include:

• Unity of efforts of all related agencies to maritime security
• Provision of capabilities and facilities such as systems, hardware, reconnaissance flights and marine vessels
• Drawing plans for action to combat illegal activities and any sort of organized maritime crimes in ports, installations and coastal line
• Take precautionary action that contribute directly in the protection of fish stock, natural resources and marine reservation
• Active response to environmental and humanitarian disasters by utilizing capabilities and facilities available in Oman
• Participating in the planning process of maritime crisis and disasters management in addition to the preparation of future scenarios of maritime risks
• Public awareness of the importance of maritime security and their cooperation to preserve marine natural resources of the Sultanate
• Monitoring and follow up navigation routes via the available systems, hardware and other resources
• Strengthening cooperation and information exchange with friendly and brotherly countries, in addition to international and regional organizations and agencies related to maritime security

The following risks fall under the responsibilities of MSC: SAR, piracy, illegal immigration (infiltration), illegal fishing and overfishing. sea pollution; hindering international navigation routes, tampering and vandalism of oil installations as well as organized crimes, illegal trades and smuggling.