News Release

BALTIMORE – Coast Guard Sector Baltimore hosted eight Indonesian representatives from the National Search and Rescue Agency of Indonesia, Badan SAR National, who were given an orientation on the Coast Guard and its search and rescue operations Monday.

The representatives toured Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay, Md., and Sector Baltimore’s command center to see firsthand how the Coast Guard conducts search and rescue in the upper Chesapeake Bay.

Objectives of the visit focused on how to enhance the Indonesian government’s search and rescue capabilities which included developing a better search and rescue system, establishing training centers, improving communications systems, procuring additional assets and learning how to improve the Badan SAR National's cooperation with other Indonesian government agencies and provinces using partnership strategies of the Coast Guard.

The international maritime relationship between the U.S. Coast Guard and Indonesia has been established to help with Badan SAR National’s main functions to provide search and rescue assistance for shipping and flight accidents as well as natural disaster relief.

Badan SAR National was established in 1972 with the help of the Coast Guard and currently has approximately 1,500 members manning 48 search and rescue stations covering areas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.