The Maritime Search and Rescue Council  is delighted to announce that JAK Maritime has joined the Council as an Organisational Member and has become the first Approved Training Centre in the Middle East, marking a significant milestone in strengthening regional maritime search and rescue capability.

The achievement follows a comprehensive programme of instructor development, quality assurance and organisational approval, during which JAK Maritime personnel successfully completed Maritime SAR Council training programmes, Train the Trainer qualifications, and an independent assessment of their training systems, facilities and instructional standards.

As an Approved Training Centre, JAK Maritime is now authorised to deliver Maritime Search and Rescue Council-certified training programmes internally using its own qualified instructors, ensuring a sustainable approach to developing and maintaining operational competence. Additional training programmes are already progressing through the Council’s approval process, further expanding the organisation’s in-house capability.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to raising professional standards, strengthening operational readiness and developing long-term maritime SAR capability across Iraq, the Middle East and the wider international maritime community.

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.”

Matt Evans, SAR Manager at JAK Maritime, said:

“As the operating environment for Maritime Search and Rescue grows increasingly complex, the need for collaboration between organisations has never been greater. SAR organisations achieve far greater impact when they standardise practices and share knowledge through established professional networks rather than operating in isolation.

Working with the Maritime Search and Rescue Council has enabled us to develop a practical, sustainable training solution that reflects both our operational requirements and budgetary realities. As a direct result of this partnership, we have successfully developed a fully certified team of Iraqi SAR Mission Coordinators and instructors, creating an enduring in-house capability to deliver training and maintain professional standards.

Becoming the Council’s first Approved Training Centre in the Middle East is an important milestone for our organisation. Building on this achievement, we are already progressing towards approval of additional Maritime Search and Rescue Council training programmes, including On-Scene Coordinator certification, further strengthening our long-term search and rescue capability. We encourage other organisations facing similar capability and training challenges to explore the value that collaboration and professional partnerships can provide.”

The Maritime Search and Rescue Council’s Approved Training Centre programme enables recognised organisations to deliver internationally proven Maritime Search and Rescue Council training programmes using their own instructors while operating under a robust quality assurance framework. The programme supports the development of sustainable organisational capability, ensuring that knowledge, competence and professional standards continue to grow long after initial training has been completed.

The Council continues to expand its global network of Organisational Members, Approved Training Centres and Maritime Emergency and Coastguard Centres of Excellence (MECCOE), supporting governments, coast guards, navies, NGOs and commercial organisations in strengthening maritime search and rescue capability through professional development, internationally recognised training, consultancy and strategic collaboration.