Operating Procedures On International Convention On Maritime Search And Rescue (3)

Initiation of search and rescue operations in respect of a vessel whose position is unknown
In the event of an emergency phase being declared in respect of a vessel whose position is unknown, the following shall apply:
1. when a rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre is notified of the existence of an emergency phase and is unaware of other centres taking appropriate action, it shall assume responsibility for initiating suitable action and confer with neighbouring centres with the objective of designating one centre to assume responsibility forthwith;

Initiation of search and rescue operations in respect of a vessel whose position is unknown
In the event of an emergency phase being declared in respect of a vessel whose position is unknown, the following shall apply:
1. when a rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre is notified of the existence of an emergency phase and is unaware of other centres taking appropriate action, it shall assume responsibility for initiating suitable action and confer with neighbouring centres with the objective of designating one centre to assume responsibility forthwith;
2. unless otherwise decided by agreement between the centres concerned, the centre to be designated shall be the centre responsible for the area in which the vessel was according to its last reported position; and
3. after the declaration of the distress phase, the centre co-ordinating the search and rescue operations shall, if necessary, inform other appropriate centres of all the circumstances of the state of emergency and of all subsequent developments.
Passing information to vessels in respect of which an emergency phase has been declared
Whenever applicable, the rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre responsible for search and rescue operations shall be responsible for passing to the vessel for which an emergency phase has been declared, information on the search and rescue operation it has initiated.
Co-ordination when two or more parties are involved
Where the conduct of operations over the entire search and rescue region is that responsibility of more than one Party, each Party shall take appropriate action when so requested by the rescue co-ordination centre of the region.
Termination and suspension of search and rescue operations
Uncertainty phase and alert phase:
When during an uncertainty phase or an alert phase a rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre, as appropriate, is informed that the emergency no longer exists, it shall so inform any authority, unit or service which has been activated or notified.
Distress phase:
When during a distress phase a rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre, as appropriate, is informed by the vessel in distress or other appropriate sources that the emergency no longer exists, it shall take the necessary action to terminate the search and rescue operations and to inform any authority, unit or service which has been activated or notified.
If during a distress phase it has been determined that the search should be discontinued the rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre, as appropriate, shall suspend the search and rescue operations and so inform any authority, unit or service which has been activated or notified. Information subsequently received shall be evaluated and search and rescue operations resumed when justified on the basis of such information.
If during a distress phase it has been determined that further search would be of no avail, the rescue co-ordination centre or rescue sub-centre, as appropriate, shall terminate the search and rescue operations and so inform any authority, unit or service which has been activated or notified.
On-scene co-ordination of search and rescue activities
The activities of units engaged in search and rescue operations, whether they be rescue units or other assisting units, shall be co-ordinated to ensure the most effective results.
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