GSB 7.1 Standardlösung

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General Informations

Illustration showing the MSSC in the shape of a house comprising a roof and substructure. Illustration of the MSSC (Vergrößerung öffnet sich im neuen Fenster) Illustration of the MSSC | Source: Administration Department of the MSSC

The Joint Emergency Reporting and Assessment Centre Sea (JERACS) forms the operational core of the MSSC. This is where the work carried out by the partners for ensuring maritime safety and security is coordinated and pooled.

The JERACS is like an open-plan office. Around the clock, 365 days a year, the employees of the maritime security authorities work there closely together. JERACS is staffed by 70 people who work in shifts.

The pooling of expertise and allocation of responsibilities enables the optimal flow of information and ensures maximum flexibility. This guarantees optimal monitoring of shipping along the entire German coast and at the seaward port entrances.

The Tasks

The partners of the Federal Republic and coastal states represented in the MSSC are responsible for general police-related emergency response, the prosecution of criminal and administrative offences, maritime emergency prevention and response, large-scale maritime disaster response, maritime law enforcement, border protection, customs supervision, fishery protection and maritime safety and security surveillance-related tasks.

The associated operations are always managed by the respective agency that is technically and locally responsible both during day-to-day operations as well as in special situations. To manage extremely serious incidents, the MSSC resorts to special organisational structures and police tactics. Complex disaster scenarios are managed by the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies.

JERACS partners facilities

For optimal task management, the JERACS comprises the following control stations and facilities merged together.

Diagram showing JERACS as an oval. The inside of the oval shows the inside of JERACS. JERACS is where the associated control centres and agencies are pooled and come together to collaborate. The edge of the oval shows the agencies involved. JERACS partner facilities | Source: Administration Department of the MSSC

Advantages of the collaboration within JERACS

  • Provision of relevant data and information for all partners
  • Initial joint assessment and discussion of incidents
  • Provision of mutual assistance (administrative assistance) in handling incidents to the legally permitted extent and subject to available resources
  • Coordination of seafaring and aerial units by some of the partners on the basis of joint risk analyses and assessments

The cooperation works smoothly under consideration of the federal structures of the Federal Republic of Germany in the JERACS. Incidents are managed in accordance with the partners’ areas of responsibility.
There is no head of all operations with the authority to direct the federal authorities and the five coastal states in JERACS. But there is a "JERACS Coordinator" from among the partners who changes annually in a fixed rhythm and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the general service operations within JERACS.