Key West, March 10 (RHC-Minrex) -- Authorities of the Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue System of the Republic of Cuba (SAR-Cuba) participated in the observance of a tabletop exercise on search and rescue in Key West, Florida, in response to an invitation extended by the U.S. Coast Guard Service.

The initiative, which took place on March 6, falls within the context of the bilateral governmental cooperation after the signing of an Agreement on this field on January 18, 2017.

The Cuban delegation, headed by the Ministry of Transport, was also composed of representatives from the Ministries of the Interior, Public Health, Tourism, Foreign Affairs and the National Civil Defense General Staff. The U.S. delegation was represented by officials of the United States Coast Guard Service and by senior executives of the Norwegian cruise line.

Among the proposals of the Cuban delegation was to carry out a new exercise in Havana before the end of 2018.

Both delegations met in a respectful and professional ambiance and underscored the need to maintain bilateral cooperation. The exercise reflects the importance of cooperation to act, in a coordinated way, in the search and rescue of persons in danger as a consequence of air or maritime events that fall within the scope of this mechanism.