IMO SAR Guidance – September 2014

IMO SAR Guidance – September 2014
The International Maritime Organization provides guidance in two ways:
1. in publications available for purchase in hard copy or electronic versions; and
2. as Resolutions and Circulars, which are freely available for download in pdf format.
This document is intended to list all the guidance currently available which is relevant to SAR. It
includes all the IMO documents recommended to be held by an MRCC in Circular SAR.7/Circ.11,
where still applicable.
Guidance available for purchase
Please note that IMRF Members may purchase IMO publications at a 20% discount by using our online
bookshop: see www.international-maritime-rescue.org/index.php/support-us/imrf-book-order-form.
IMO Conventions



International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) – consolidated edition 2014
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea – consolidated
edition 2003
International Convention on Search and Rescue (SAR Convention) – 2006 edition
SAR




1
International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual Volume I,
Organization and Management – 2013 edition1
International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual Volume II,
Mission Coordination – 2013 edition3
International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual Volume III,
Mobile Facilities – 2013 edition3
Pocket Guide to Recovery Techniques – 2007 edition2
A revised edition of the IAMSAR Manual is currently published every three years: the next edition will be
available in 2016.
2
The main text of this Pocket Guide is available in MSC Circular 1182. A revision of this Circular is expected to
be approved by the Maritime Safety Committee in November 2014, and a revised edition of the Pocket Guide
will be published thereafter.
Medical


ILO/IMO/WHO International Medical Guide for Ships – 3rd edition
Pocket Guide to Cold Water Survival – 2012 edition3
Communications








Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Manual – 2013 edition
Guidance on GMDSS Distress Alerts Cards – 2013 edition
GMDSS Operating Guidance Card – 1992 edition
IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases – 2005 edition
International Code of Signals – 2005 edition
International SafetyNET Manual – 2011 edition4
IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information (MSI) – 2010 edition
NAVTEX Manual – 2012 edition5
Other information




International Lifesaving Appliances (LSA) Code – 2010 edition
Guidelines for Ships Operating in Polar Waters – 2010 edition
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code – 2012 edition
IMDG Code Supplement – 2010 edition
Model Courses
















3
Radar, ARPA, Bridge Teamwork and Search and Rescue – 1999 edition
Elementary First Aid – 2000 edition
Medical First Aid – 2000 edition
Medical Care – 2000 edition
Personal Survival Techniques – 2000 edition
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting – 2000 edition
Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (other than Fast Rescue Boats) – 2000 edition
Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats – 2000 edition
General Operator’s Certificate for GMDSS – 2004 edition
Restricted Operator’s Certificate for GMDSS – 2004 edition
Proficiency in Crisis Management and Human Behaviour Training including Passenger Safety,
Cargo Safety and Hull Integrity Training – 2000 edition
Leadership and Teamwork – 2014 edition
Advanced Training in Fire Fighting – 2000 edition
Maritime Search and Rescue Administration – 2003 edition
SAR Administration (IAMSAR Manual Volume I) – 2014 edition
SAR On-Scene Coordinator (IAMSAR Manual Volume III) – 2014 edition
The main text of this Pocket Guide is available in MSC Circular 1185: see list of Circulars.
See also Circular MSC.1/Circ.1364.
5
See also Circular MSC.1/Circ.1403.
4
IMO Resolutions
IMRF Members may find copies of these Resolutions on the IMRF website, www.international-maritimerescue.org.
SAR







A.894(21): International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual –
adopted 25 Nov 1999
A.919(22): Acceptance and implementation of the International Convention on Maritime
Search and Rescue, 1979, as amended – adopted 29 Nov 2001
A.920(22): Review of safety measures and procedures for the treatment of persons rescued
at sea – adopted 29 Nov 2001
A.949(23): Guidelines on places of refuge for ships In need of assistance – adopted 5 Dec
2003
MSC.167(78): Guidelines on the treatment of persons rescued at sea – adopted 20 May 2004
MSC.239(83): Adoption of amendments to the SOLAS Convention – adopted 12 Oct 20076
MSC.346(91): application of SOLAS regulation III/17-1 to ships to which SOLAS chapter III
does not apply – adopted 30 Nov 20127
Communications








A.801(19): Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) – adopted 23 Nov 19958
A.814(19): Guidelines for the avoidance of false distress alerts – adopted 23 Nov 1995
A.856(20): Guidance to Administrations on development of a shore-based SAR
telecommunication infrastructure – adopted 27 Nov 1997
A.887(21): Establishment, updating and retrieval of the information contained in the
registration databases for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) –
adopted 25 Nov 1999
MSC.131(75): Maintenance of a continuous listening watch on VHF channel by SOLAS ships
whilst at sea and installation of VHF DSC facilities on non-SOLAS ships – adopted 21 May
2002
A.954(23): Proper use of VHF channels at sea – adopted 5 Dec 2003
MSC.199(80): Adoption of amendments to provision of radio services for the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) – adopted 16 May 20059
A.1001(25): Criteria for the provision of mobile satellite communication systems in the
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) – adopted 29 Nov 2007
Maritime Safety Information (MSI)

6
A.705(17) amendments: promulgation of MSI – adopted 9 Dec 200810
Relates to GMDSS satellite providers.
See Circular MSC.1/Circ.1447.
8
See also Resolution MSC.199(80).
9
Amends Resolution A.801(19).
10
See Circular MSC.1/Circ.1287/Rev.1.
7



A.706(17) amendments: World-Wide Navigational Warning Service – adopted 9 Dec 200811
MSC.305(87): Guidelines on operational procedures for the promulgation of MSI concerning
acts of piracy and piracy counter-measure operations – adopted 17 May 2010
A.1051(27): IMO/WMO Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service – guidance
document – adopted 30 Nov 2011
Other information




A.855(20): Standards for on-board helicopter facilities – adopted 27 Nov 1997
A.950(23): Maritime Assistance Services (MAS) – adopted 5 Dec 2003
A.999(25): Guidelines on voyage planning for passenger ships operating in remote areas –
adopted – adopted 29 Nov 2007
A.1044(27): Piracy and armed robbery against ships in waters off the coast of Somalia –
adopted 30 Nov 2011
IMO Circulars
IMRF Members may find copies of these Circulars on the IMRF website, www.international-maritime12
rescue.org.
SAR administration




COMSAR.1/Circ.52: Questionnaire on the availability of SAR services – 17 Mar 2010
SAR.8/Circ.4: Availability of SAR Services – 1 Dec 201213
COMSAR.1/Circ.55: Guidance for entering and updating information on SAR services into
GISIS and on how to get access to the information for operational use – 30 Nov 2012
SAR.7/Circ.11: List of IMO documents and publications which should be held by a Maritime
Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) – 24 May 201314
SAR operations




11
COMSAR/Circ.22: Guidance on data fields for SAR databases – 20 Jun 2000
COMSAR/Circ.23: Guidance for Central Alerting Posts (CAPs) – 20 Jun 2000
COMSAR/Circ.31: Guidance for mass rescue operations – 6 Feb 2003
MSC/Circ.1073: Directives for maritime rescue co-ordination centres (MRCCs) on acts of
violence against ships – 10 Jun 2003
See Circular MSC.1/Circ.1288/Rev.1.
‘SAR.1’ Circulars report IMO Member Government accessions and successions to/from the SAR Convention.
‘SAR.6’ Circulars report agreements on SAR Regions. These Circulars are not on the IMRF website but may be
obtained on request from [email protected]. Other numbers in the ‘SAR’ series are not currently in use.
13
This is the last update on the status of the Global SAR Plan issued as a Circular. Henceforward users should
refer to the Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue module of IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping
Information System (GISIS), available at www.imo.org. IMO Member Governments are requested to keep this
module up to date: see COMSAR.1/Circ.55.
14
Note that this Circular is updated fairly frequently and that, at time of writing, an update is required. The
latest editions of the IMO documents and publications listed in this Circular are also included in this list.
12







MSC/Circ.1079: Guidelines for preparing plans for co-operation between SAR services and
passenger ships – 10 Jul 2003
MSC.1/Circ.1182: Guide to recovery techniques – 31 May 200615
MSC.1/Circ.1183: Guidelines on the provision of external support as an aid to incident
containment for SAR authorities and others concerned – 31 May 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1186: Guidelines on the training of SAR service personnel working in major
incidents – 1 Jun 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1338: Guidance to SAR services in relation to requesting and receiving longrange identification and tracking (LRIT) information – 1 Mar 2011
MSC.1/Circ.1447: Guidelines for the development of plans and procedures for recovery of
persons from the water – 14 Dec 2012
COMSAR.1/Circ.57: Guidance on the use of the graph at figure N.14 in Appendix N of
IAMSAR Manual, volume II – 24 Jun 201316
Medical






MSC/Circ.960: Medical assistance at sea – 20 Jun 2000
MSC/Circ.1042: List of contents of the “emergency medical kit/bag” and medical
consideration for its use on ro-ro passenger ships not normally carrying a medical doctor –
28 May 2002
MSC/Circ.1105: Guidance on responsibility and liability issues related to the use of the
emergency medical kit/bag and evaluation of its use in emergency incidents – 25 Feb 2004
MSC/Circ.1172: Identification of passenger ships, other than ro-ro passenger ships, which
should benefit from being equipped with the emergency medical kit/bag – 23 May 2005
MSC.1/Circ.1218: Guidance on exchange of medical information between telemedical
assistance services (TMAS) involved in international SAR operations – 15 Dec 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1185/Rev.1: Guide for cold water survival – 30 Nov 2012
Communications – systems





15
COMSAR/Circ.37: Guidance on minimum communication needs of Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) – 28 Feb 2005
MSC.1/Circ.1208: Promoting and verifying continued familiarization of GMDSS operators on
board ships – 22 May 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1210: COSPAS-SARSAT international 406 MHz beacon registration database – 11
July 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1382/Rev.2: Revised questionnaire on shore-based facilities for the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) – 24 Jun 2013
COMSAR.1/Circ.53/Rev.2: List of Land Earth Station (LES) operation coordinators in the
Inmarsat system – 22 July 201317
A revision of this Circular is expected to be approved by the Maritime Safety Committee in November 2014.
See also Resolution MSC.346(91), Circular MSC.1/Circ.1447, and the Pocket Guide to Recovery Techniques.
16
This Circular will be revoked when the 2016 edition of the IAMSAR Manual is published.
17
Note that this Circular is updated fairly frequently.

GMDSS.1/Circ.16: Master plan of shore-based facilities for the Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS Master Plan) – 5 Feb 201418
Communications – procedures











MSC/Circ.892: Alerting of SAR authorities – 16 Dec 1998
MSC/Circ.959: Interim procedures for MRCCs on receipt of distress alerts – 20 Jun 2000
COMSAR/Circ.25: Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships – 15 Mar 2001
COMSAR/Circ.29: Guidance for the voluntary use of the standardized questionnaires and
formats for reporting false alerts in collecting data on false alerts – 27 May 2002
MSC/Circ.1078: Guidelines to administrations on reporting false alerts – 6 Jun 2003
COMSAR/Circ.35: Recommendations on medium frequency/high frequency (MF/HF) digital
selective calling (DSC) test calls to coast stations – 21 May 2004
MSC.1/Circ.1248: Minimizing delays in SAR response to distress alerts – 16 Oct 2007
COMSAR.1/Circ.45: Guidance on distress alerts – 4 Feb 2009
MSC.1/Circ.1365: Commercially available locating, tracking and emergency notification
devices – 24 May 2010
COMSAR.1/Circ.50/Rev.3: Distress priority communications for RCCs from shore-to-ship via
Inmarsat – 13 Jan 2012
COMSAR.1/Circ.56: Guidance on smartphone and other computer device SAR applications –
30 Nov 2012
Maritime Safety Information (MSI)









COMSAR/Circ.3: Relations between Navarea co-ordinators and rescue co-ordination centres
– 19 Apr 1996
COMSAR/Circ.36: Broadcast of warnings for tsunamis and other natural disasters – 18 Feb
2005
COMSAR.1/Circ.41: Analysis of MSI promulgated via the EGC SafetyNET system and
recommendations on improving its quality – 16 Oct 2007
COMSAR.1/Circ.46: AIS safety-related messaging – 4 Feb 2009
MSC.1/Circ.1364: Revised International SafetyNET Manual – 24 May 2010
MSC.1/Circ.1403: Revised NAVTEX Manual – 23 May 2011
MSC.1/Circ.1287/Rev.1: Promulgation of Maritime Safety Information – 24 Jun 2013
MSC.1/Circ.1288/Rev.1: World-Wide Navigational Warning Service – 24 Jun 2013
COMSAR.1/Circ.51/Rev.5: List of Navarea coordinators – 31 Mar 201419
Other information


18
19
MSC/Circ.895: Recommendation on helicopter landing areas on ro-ro passenger ships – 4
Feb 1999
MSC/Circ.896/Rev.1: Interim measures for combating unsafe practices associated with the
trafficking or transport of migrants by sea – 12 Jun 2001
Note that this Circular is updated fairly frequently.
Note that this Circular is updated fairly frequently.








MSC/Circ.1043: Guidance on ships' daily reporting of their positions to their companies – 31
May 2002
MSC/Circ.1156: Guidance on the access of public authorities, emergency response services
and pilots on board ships to which SOLAS chapter xi-2 and the ISPS Code apply – 23 May
2005
MSC.1/Circ.1184: Enhanced contingency planning guidance for passenger ships operating in
areas remote from SAR facilities – 31 May 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1214: Performance standards for the systems and services to remain operational
on passenger ships for safe return to port and orderly evacuation and abandonment after a
casualty – 15 Dec 2006
MSC.1/Circ.1333: Recommendations to Governments for preventing and suppressing piracy
and armed robbery against ships – 26 Jun 2009
MSC.1/Circ.1334: Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on
preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships – 23 Jun 2009
MSC.1/Circ.1412: Principles and guidelines relating to the review and audit of the
performance of long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) data centres and of the
International LRIT Data Exchange – 28 May 2012
MSC.1/Circ.1413: Basic safety guidance for yacht races or oceanic voyages by non-regulated
craft – 25 May 2012

Download Report