Search and Rescue (SAR) and Lifesaving

Contents:

1. The Concerns
2. The current “Search and Rescue, and lifesaving” systems

• 2.1 Lifesaving appliances – SOLAS and LSA Code
• 2.2 Search and Rescue (SAR) Convention
• 2.3 Global SAR Plan
• 2.4 GMDSS Master Plan
• 2.5 IAMSAR Manual

3. Action requested

1. The Concerns

The INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2017 informed that:

• Fifty three (53) bulk carriers over 10,000 dwt have been identified as total losses over the years 2008 to 2017. Among them, 9 casualties of suspected cargo failure led to the loss of 101 lives against a total of 202 lives for all the 53 casualties.

Right after the tragic loss of MV “STELLAR DAISY” on 31 Mar 2017, the INTERCARGO Media Release highlighted the concern that:

• “INTERCARGO praises the Search And Rescue (SAR) efforts in response to this unfortunate incident. In its aftermath, the shipping community should be concerned about the non-availability of sufficient SAR capabilities in the vicinity of busy shipping lanes around the world and revisit this issue”.

Those incidents and the significant number of losses of lives did suggest that the current “Search and Rescue (SAR) and lifesaving” systems are not effective and adequate. There is a need of measures to be in place to save lives when similar incidents/accidents/casualties occur.