More about the Sea (IMO/Rescue at Sea)

Question 1

What is the role of the IMO?

Answer 1

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a UN specialized agency, developed under the 1958 IMO Convention in Geneva. The IMO:

• Has developed a series of technical frameworks and mechanisms to ensure safety at sea, promote cooperation in efficiency of navigation and prevent maritime pollution from vessels
• Adopted two key conventions: 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and the 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

Question 2

What does the SOLAS Convention say about rescuing persons in distress at sea?

Answer 2

• Obligation of the master/responsible person of a vessel (whose flag state is a SOLAS ratifier) to provide aid and assistance, as well as to act if aware of information concerning persons in distress at sea.
• Obligation of ratifying Coastal States to establish search and rescue services

Question 3

What does the concept of “rescue” mean?

Answer 3

• The SAR Convention defines rescue as “an operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical treatment or other needs, and deliver them to a place of safety”

Question 4

What are SARs?

Answer 4

• Search and Rescue Regions (SARs) are areas defined by the 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR Convention), under the IMO umbrella
• Signatories of the SAR Convention have the responsibility to develop and cooperate rescue operations within their respective SARs, usually coordinated through Rescue Coordination Centers and Sub-Centers
• No matter where an accident occurs or the nationality or status of the persons in distress, rescue will be coordinated by a SAR organization and, when necessary, by cooperation between neighboring SAR organizations, in order to deliver them to a safe place
• Masters of ships are released from their obligations with minimum further deviation from the ship’s intended voyage and arrange for disembarkation from the assisting ship as soon as reasonably practicable

Question 5

Does UNCLOS say anything about rescue of persons at sea?

Answer 5

YES. In article 98 it states the:

• Obligation of a master of a ship to render assistance to any persons found at sea in a situation of peril, and responsibility to act if informed of any distress situation;
• Obligation of coastal states to promote cooperation (with third states/maritime forces) and the establishment of effective practices regarding search and rescue at the sea.

Question 6

Are there any issues regarding the rescue of persons at sea?

Answer 6

YES, mainly the following:

• Not all states are willing to disembark rescued persons due to their condition (irregular migrants), however, they should ideally identify those with refugee status and repatriate those who are not entitled to stay
• Migrant smuggling (regulated by the 2000 Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air) and human trafficking (regulated by the 2000 Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children)