A Multipurpose Maritime Operation, led by EMSA in cooperation with the maritime authorities of Belgium and France and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), has been launched today in La Manche and the southern section of the North Sea.

The operation aims to support the maritime authorities of Belgium and France across a variety of coast guard functions and has been launched on their request.

Until 19 September, EMSA, together with EFCA, will provide enhanced support for search and rescue, maritime surveillance, environmental protection and fisheries control in the operational area.

This support includes the provision of services such as: EMSA’s satellite imagery and vessel detection; EMSA’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for multipurpose maritime surveillance and environmental monitoring; and the provision of EMSA’s Integrated Maritime Services (IMS) and operational tools for reporting and data exchange.

The operation will be coordinated from EMSA’s headquarters in Lisbon.

A Multipurpose Maritime Operation (MMO) is a coordinated activity in a specific maritime area and for a defined period of implementation, aimed at supporting national authorities carrying out coast guard functions at national, Union, and international levels.

MMOs involve at least two coast guard functions falling under the mandate of multiple agencies and can be launched upon request from Member States or EFCA, EMSA, or Frontex. The involved Agencies may provide assets, services, or experts, which can be supplemented by the Member States.

The participating Belgian authorities are: the Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services; the Agency for Agriculture and Fisheries; the Scientific Service MUMM (Institute of Natural Sciences); the Directorate-General for the Environment; the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport; the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Ostend, and the Maritime Information Crossroads (MIK) in Zeebrugge.

The participating French authorities are: the Secretariat General of the Sea; La Manche and North Sea Maritime Préfecture; the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture; the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Etel; and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Griz-Nez.