1 Introduction
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1248 – Minimizing Delays in Search and Rescue Response to Distress Alerts – (16 October 2007) - Annex - State Obligations Under the SAR Convention and Other International Instruments - 1 Introduction

1 Introduction

  1.1 The purpose of this circular is to minimize delays in SAR response to distress alerts, and in particular, distress alerts received by the COSPAS-SARSAT system. It reminds States of their obligations under the SAR Convention and other relevant international instruments. Selected extracts from these documents are listed indicatively as means of better understanding State obligations and how such obligations can be met individually or in co-operation with other States. Whereas the conventions and similar instruments provide the standards and recommendations, the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual contains detailed guidance on how to attain them.

  1.2 Definitions of particular relevance and as defined in the IAMSAR Manual:

- Rescue co-ordination centre (RCC): A unit responsible for promoting efficient organization of SAR services and for co-ordinating the conduct of SAR operations within a SAR region.
- Search and rescue region (SRR): An area of defined dimensions, associated with a rescue co-ordination centre, within which SAR services are provided.
- Search and rescue service: co-ordination and search and rescue functions, including provision of medical advice, initial medical assistance, or medical evacuation, through the use of public and private resources, including co-operating aircraft, vessels and other craft and installations.
- Search and rescue point of contact (SPOC): RCCs and other established and recognized national points of contact which can accept responsibility to receive COSPAS-SARSAT alert data to enable the rescue of persons in distress.

  1.3 Whether or not a State is signatory to a convention with SAR provisions, the State nonetheless takes on certain responsibilities when it declares an SRR. A key purpose of declaring an SRR is to ensure that distress alerts are routed to the correct RCC in a timely manner so that proper operational co-ordination is conducted. This does not necessarily mean that an RCC or SPOC has to conduct all of the response effort; however, it does mean it will co-ordinate the response effort. This co-ordination role could include serving as a point of contact to advise that the RCC needs further support or, at times, that another unit may be better able to serve that purpose. Mutual co-operation and co-ordination among States and between maritime and aeronautical SAR authorities can further support the provision of adequate and prompt SAR services.

Parent topic: Annex - State Obligations Under the SAR Convention and Other International Instruments
Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.