| Regulation: | International Convention on maritime search and rescue |
| Short name: | SAR Convention |
| Number: | |
| Issuing entity: | International Maritime Organization |
| Date: | 1985/06/22 |
| Reference: | https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201405/volume-1405-I-23489-English.pdf |
| Hard/soft law instrument: | Hard law |
| Relevant justice questions: | human/living |
| Level: | Global |
| Remarks: | |
| Brief description: | The 1979 Convention, adopted at a Conference in Hamburg and updated on 22 June 1985, was aimed at developing an international SAR plan so that, no matter where an accident occurs, the rescue of persons in distress at sea will be coordinated by a SAR organization and, when necessary, by co-operation between neighboring SAR organizations.
The technical requirements of the SAR Convention are contained in an Annex, which was divided into five Chapters. Parties to the Convention are required to ensure that arrangements are made for the provision of adequate SAR services in their coastal waters. Parties are encouraged to enter into SAR agreements with neighboring States involving the establishment of SAR regions, the pooling of facilities, the establishment of standard procedures, training and liaison visits. The Convention states that Parties should take measures to expedite entry into its territorial waters of rescue units from other Parties.
The Convention then goes on to establish preparatory measures which should be taken, including the establishment of rescue co-ordination centers and subcentres. It outlines operating procedures to be followed in the event of emergencies or alerts and during SAR operations. This includes the designation of an on-scene commander and his duties. |