Maritime Safety in Oostende

16 September 2025

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde made a visit to Ostend that was all about maritime safety on the North Sea. 

They started at the Maritime Safety and Coordination Centre (Maritiem Reddings-en Coördinatiecentrum MRCC), the first point of contact for incidents at sea. Philippe & Mathilde where they were given a tour. A safety exercise was demonstrated. 

Then they went on to Flanders Marine Institute (Vlaams Instituut voor de zee VLIZ) where they were shown the underwater sound library that helps to facilitate research into biodiversity and maritime safety.

At the Marine Robotics Centre the royal couple was explained the use of drones at sea.

The visit ended with a walkabout and a lunch at the Kursaal.