Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) (MRCC)

A shore facility that coordinates maritime search-and-rescue operations within an assigned search-and-rescue region.

An MRCC receives distress alerts, assesses the incident, develops a search-and-rescue plan and tasks or coordinates suitable rescue units, vessels, aircraft and supporting services. It may work with adjacent centres and aeronautical rescue coordination centres.

The centre coordinates rather than necessarily carrying out the rescue itself. Its geographic responsibility, communications and naming vary by state; some facilities are joint rescue coordination centres.