Operating Procedures On International Convention On Maritime Search And Rescue (1)

Information Concerning Emergencies
Parties shall ensure that such continuous radio watches as are deemed practicable and necessary, are maintained on international distress frequencies. A coast radio station receiving any distress call or message shall:
Immediately inform the appropriate rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre;
Rebroadcast to the extent necessary to inform ships on one or more of the international distress frequencies or on any other appropriate frequency;

Information Concerning Emergencies
Parties shall ensure that such continuous radio watches as are deemed practicable and necessary, are maintained on international distress frequencies. A coast radio station receiving any distress call or message shall:
Immediately inform the appropriate rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre;
Rebroadcast to the extent necessary to inform ships on one or more of the international distress frequencies or on any other appropriate frequency;
Precede such rebroadcasts with the appropriate automatic alarm signals unless this has already been done; and
Take such subsequent action as decided by the competent authority.
Any authority or element of the search and rescue organization having reason to believe that a vessel is in a state of emergency should give as soon as possible all available information to the rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre concerned.
Rescue co-ordination centres and rescue sub-centres shall, immediately upon receipt of information concerning a vessel in a state of emergency, evaluate such information and determine the phase of emergency in accordance with paragraph 5.2 and the extent of operation required.
 Emergency phases
For operations purposes, the following emergency phases shall be distinguished:
 Uncertainty phase:
When a vessel has been reported overdue at its destination; or when a vessel has failed to make an expected position or safety report.
Alert phase:
When, following the uncertainty phase, attempts to establish contact with the vessel have failed and inquiries addressed to other appropriate sources have been unsuccessful; or
When information has been received indicating that the operating efficiency of a vessel is impaired but not to the extent that a distress situation is likely.

Distress phase:
When positive information is received that a vessel or a person is in grave and imminent danger and in need of immediate assistance; or
When, following the alert phase, further unsuccessful attempts to establish contact with the vessel and more widespread unsuccessful inquiries point to the probability that the vessel is in distress; or
When information is received which indicates that the operating efficiency of a vessel has been impaired to the extent that a distress situation is likely.