International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue

The SAR Convention covers search and rescue at sea, as seen here in the rescue of shipwrecked survivors

The International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR Convention) is a maritime safety convention of the International Maritime Organization.^[1][2] It entered into force on 22 June 1985.^[1][3] The convention forms part of the legal framework covering Search and rescue at sea.^[4]

The SAR Convention was adopted on 27 April 1979.^[1][5] It entered into force on 22 June 1985.^[1]

The Convention has been amended by IMO resolutions MSC.70(69) and MSC.155(78).^[6] These respective amendments occurred in 1998 and in 2004 respectively.^[7]

Content

The SAR Convention covers coordinated Search and rescue at sea, including the organisation of Air-sea rescue services.^[1] The aim of the convention was to ensure agreed, standardised procedures for SAR around the world.

It establishes SAR regions (SARR) to allow coastal States to coordinate SAR provision.^[6][8] This includes the establishment of 13 distinct SAR areas of the world's oceans.^[6][5]

It also sets out the establishment of Rescue coordination centres around the world to control SAR operations.^[1][6]

Ratification

As of October 2022, 114 countries were party to the Convention.^[9]

References

1. "International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR)". International Maritime Organization. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
2. Brems, Eva (2013). Human Rights and Civil Liberties in the 21st Century. Springer Netherlands. p. 187. ISBN 978-9400775992.
3. 21st Century Seamanship. Edinburgh: Witherby Publishing Group. 2015. p. 703. ISBN 9781856096324.
4. "Legal Brief on International Law and Rescue at Sea" (PDF). UNHCR. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
5. Elferink, Alex G. Oude (2021). International Organizations and the Law of the Sea 1998. Brill. p. 40. ISBN 978-9004481459.
6. SAR Convention 2006 edition. London: International Maritime Organization. 2006. p. i. ISBN 978-9280142280.
7. Gallagher, Anne (2014). The International Law of Migrant Smuggling. Cambridge University Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-1107015920.
8. Roach, J.Ashley (2012). The Law of the Sea Convention. US Accession and Globalization. Brill. p. 398. ISBN 978-9004202320.
9. "STATUS OF IMO TREATIES" (PDF). International Maritime Organization. Retrieved 12 October 2022.