When the IMRF started this journey to find a H.E.R.O. we had no choice but to set a time limit and look for nominations, that were based on one mission, one invention, one idea or one moment that deserved recognition. We were overwhelmed with the response, but if you have been following the nomination stories, you will realise that SAR is never about just one event! So many of our nominations have been about people who have dedicated their lives to maritime search and rescue and today’s story is no different.

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Mr Mohammed Drissi first became aware of search and rescue in 1996 when his 148m RORO (Roll-on/roll-off) ship rescued 12 people that had been aboard a small wooden vessel that was in distress in rough seas.

This was his very first search and rescue mission and it would not be his last…it inspired him to learn more.

After joining the Moroccan Ministry of Fisheries in 1998 he soon became a SAR regional coordinator and by 2000 he was overseeing the development of the Moroccan SAR services as part of RMRCC Rabat.

To this day he continues to dedicate himself to search and rescue as the Regional Coordinator for IMO for the Rabat SAR region. This region links 6 countries and he works across the borders and boundaries demonstrating true leadership in guiding the SAR development across the Regions of Africa.

This post is just a small glimpse at the influence that Mohammed has had on search and rescue and over 20 years after his first encounter with search and rescue he is still sharing his experience and knowledge with the search and rescue community.

The H.E.R.O. Awards 2016 were created to recognise outstanding contributions that help to save lives and, as this story shows, Mohammed Drissi’s contribution has been nothing but outstanding.

More About Mohammed Drissi

Website: NW Africa Maritime SAR Region Website (new window)

Short List: H.E.R.O. Awards Short List (new window)