By By: Staff Writer
Monrovia — Liberia is set to ramp up its maritime rescue capabilities, with Maritime Commissioner Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr. vowing to lead a bold overhaul of the country’s maritime emergency response systems.
Speaking during celebrations marking the 16th anniversary of the Monrovia Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRMRCC) on Bushrod Island, Commissioner Lighe committed to pushing for a new coordinated rescue regimen that reflects Liberia’s status as the world’s largest flag state.
“The key word here is coordination,” he said, emphasizing the need for a standardized operating plan among maritime stakeholders. He revealed plans to form a technical committee that will spearhead the effort, which he intends to elevate to a National Maritime Security Committee with backing from the presidency.
“Our rescue operations must be swift, unified, and lifesaving. I want to leave the sector better than I found it,” Lighe declared.
He also called for better equipping the Liberia Coast Guard, suggesting stakeholders pool resources to procure patrol boats amid budget constraints. “The government can’t do it all—we must step up,” he added.
Former IMO Assistant Secretary-General Lawrence Barchue, the event’s keynote speaker, recounted Liberia’s resilience in securing the MRMRCC during the civil war, despite international skepticism. He praised the center’s enduring regional importance and urged greater recognition of its work.
Stakeholders from defense, fisheries, and maritime agencies attended the event, with calls for the MRMRCC to expand its regional presence as it continues to serve six West African countries.
