Regulation 7
Search and rescue services
Regulation
1 Each Contracting Government undertakes to ensure that necessary arrangements are made for distress communication and co-ordination in their area of responsibility and for the rescue of persons in distress at sea around its coasts. These arrangements shall include the establishment, operation and maintenance of such search and rescue facilities as are deemed practicable and necessary, having regard to the density of the seagoing traffic and the navigational dangers and shall, so far as possible, provide adequate means of locating and rescuing such persons.*
2 Each Contracting Government undertakes to make available information to the Organization concerning its existing search and rescue facilities and the plans for changes therein, if any.
3 Passenger ships to which chapter I applies shall have on board a plan for co-operation with appropriate search and rescue services in event of an emergency. The plan shall be developed in co-operation between the ship, the company, as defined in regulation IX/1 and the search and rescue services. The plan shall include provisions for periodic exercises to be undertaken to test its effectiveness. The plan shall be developed based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.
* Refer to the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 and the following resolutions adopted by the Organization:
Homing capability of search and rescue (SAR) aircraft (resolution A.225(VII));
Use of radar transponders for search and rescue purposes (resolution A.530(13));
Search and rescue homing capability (resolution A.616(15)); and
International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual (resolution A.894(21)).
Summary
Contracting Governments must provide Search and Rescue arrangements and make available the information relating to them.
Passenger ships must have a prepared plan on board for cooperation with SAR authorities.
Guidance Notes
Regulation 7.1 and 7.2 addresses Contracting Governments requiring them to establish SAR systems covering their area of responsibility. Reference should be made to the International Convention Search and Rescue, 1979 as amended