IMO is supporting Myanmar’s efforts to improve its national search and rescue (SAR) services with an IMO-led needs assessment mission (17-18 October). Experts are analysing the current structure of the country’s SAR organization as well as the available SAR facilities, and shore-based infrastructure of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Under the GMDSS, all passenger and cargo ships over 300 gross tonnage on international voyages have to carry specified terrestrial and satellite radiocommunications equipment for sending and receiving distress alerts and maritime safety information, as well as for general communications. Find out more about IMO’s work relating to radiocommunications, here.
The needs assessment will be followed by a national SAR seminar on 19 October. IMO is represented by Hans van der Graaf and a team of consultants.