Documents of relevance to SAR
This page provides maritime or joint rescue coordination centres (MRCC or JRCC), solely for their operational purposes, with a minimum list of documents which are essential for such centres to have in their possession or to have rapid and reliable access to a digital version. The list only covers search and rescue and no other tasks which RCCs may require to perform.
Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS)
1. IMO publications
All following publications are available (to be purchased) at
here.
| REFERENCE | (dd/mm/yy) where applicable | TITLE |
|---|---|---|
| IF-110 A/C/E/F/R/S | 2014 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) (Consolidated Edition, 2014) |
| IB-955 E
EB-955 A/C/F/R/S | 2006 | International Convention on Search and Rescue, 1979 (SAR 1979) (2006 Edition) |
| II-960 E/F/S | 2019 | International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual, Volume I – Organization and Management (2019 Edition) |
| IF-961 E/F/S | 2019 | International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual, Volume II – Mission Coordination (2019 Edition) |
| II-962 E/F/S | 2019 | International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual, Volume III – Mobile Facilities (2019 Edition) |
| IH-970 E | 2019 | GMDSS Manual (2019 Edition) |
| I-969 E | 1992 | GMDSS Operating Guidance Card (1992 Edition) |
| IA-987 E/F/S | 2005 | IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (IMO SMCP) – (including CD: pronunciation guide) (2005 Edition) |
| IC-908 E/F/S | 2017 | International SafetyNET Manual (2017 Edition) |
| IE-951 E/F/S | 2017 | NAVTEX Manual (2017 Edition) |
| IB-910 E/F/S | 2015 | Manual on Maritime Safety Information (Joint IMO/IHO/WMO MSI Manual) (2015 Edition) |
| IA-994 E/S, EA-994 F | 2005 | International Code of Signals (2005 Edition) |
| IL-200 E/F/S | 2018 | International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) (2018 Edition - Amendement 39-18) |
| IJ-210 E/F/S | 2018 | IMDG Code Supplement (2018 Edition) |
2. IMO documents
The following Assembly resolutions and MSC circulars are available for free at: http://www.imo.org/sites/imocloud-Dev/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/Pages/Default.aspx
COMSAR circulars are available for free at (IMODOCS):
https://docs.imo.org/Category.aspx?cid=479
MSC circulars are available for free at (IMODOCS):
https://docs.imo.org/Category.aspx?cid=106
GMDSS circulars are available for free at (IMODOCS):
https://docs.imo.org/Category.aspx?cid=133
| REFERENCE | DATE
(dd/mm/yy) where applicable | TITLE |
|---|---|---|
|
Res. A.705(17), as amended by MSC.1/Circ.1287.Rev.1 | 06/11/91, amended 24/06/13 | Recommendation on promulgation of Maritime Safety Information |
|
Res. A.706(17), as amended by MSC.1/Circ.1288.Rev.1 | 06/11/91, amended 24/06/13 | World-Wide Navigational Warning Service |
| Res. A.814(19) | 23/11/95 | Guidelines for the avoidance of false distress alerts |
| Res. A.855(20) | 27/11/97 | Standards for onboard helicopter facilities |
| Res. A.856(20) | 27/11/97 | Guidance to Administrations on development of a shore‑based SAR telecommunication infrastructure |
| Res. A.887(21) | 25/11/99 | Establishment, updating and retrieval of the information contained in the registration databases for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) |
| Res. A.919(22) | 29/11/01 | Acceptance and implementation of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979, as amended |
| Res. A.920(22) | 29/11/01 | Review of safety measures and procedures for the treatment of persons rescued at sea |
| Res. A.949(23) | 05/12/03 | Guidelines on places of refuge for ships in need of assistance |
| Res. A.950(23) | 05/12/03 | Maritime Assistance Services (MAS) |
| Res. A.954(23) | 05/12/03 | Proper use of VHF channels at sea |
| Res. A.999(25) | 29/11/07 | Guidelines on voyage planning for passenger ships operating in remote areas |
| Res. A.1051(27) | 30/11/11 | IMO/WMO Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service – Guidance Document |
| Res. A.1074(28) | 15/01/14 | Notification and circulation through the Global integrated shipping information system (GISIS) |
| Res. MSC.131(75) | 21/05/02 | Maintenance of a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16 by SOLAS ships whilst at sea after 1 February 1999 and installation of VHF DSC facilities on non-SOLAS ships |
| Res. MSC.167(78) | 20/05/04 | Guidelines on the treatment of persons rescued at sea (Also see IMO/UNHCR/ICS leaflet below) |
| IMO/UNHCR/ICS leaflet | 2015 | Rescue at Sea – A guide to principles and practice as applied to refugees and migrants https://www.unhcr.org/publications/brochures/450037d34/rescue-sea-guide-principles-practice-applied-migrants-refugees.html |
| Res. MSC.199(80) | 16/05/05 | Adoption of amendments to provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety system (GMDSS) – (resolution A.801(19)) |
| Res. MSC.305(87) | 17/05/10 | Guidelines on operational procedures for the promulgation of Maritime Safety Information concerning acts of piracy and piracy counter-measure operations |
| Res. MSC.436(99) | 24/05/18 | Amendments2 to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended
Includes amendments to chapter IV on Radiocommunications, which incorporate the changes made to accommodate recognized mobile satellite services under GMDSS. |
| COMSAR/Circ.3 | 19/04/96 | Relations between NAVAREA Coordinators and Rescue Coordination Centres |
| COMSAR/Circ.22 | 20/06/00 | Guidance on data fields for SAR databases |
| COMSAR/Circ.23 | 20/06/00 | Guidance for central alerting posts (CAPs) |
| COMSAR/Circ.25 | 15/03/01 | Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships |
| COMSAR/Circ.29 | 27/05/02 | Guidance for the voluntary use of the standardized questionnaires and formats for reporting false alerts in collecting data on false alerts |
| COMSAR/Circ.31 | 06/02/03 | Guidance for Mass Rescue Operations (MROs) |
| COMSAR/Circ.35 | 21/05/04 | Recommendations on medium frequency/high frequency (MF/HF) digital selective calling (DSC) test calls to coast stations |
| COMSAR/Circ.36 | 18/02/05 | Broadcast of warnings for tsunamis and other natural disasters |
| COMSAR/Circ.37 | 28/02/05 | Guidance on minimum communication needs of Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) |
| COMSAR.1/Circ.41 | 16/10/07 | Analysis of Maritime Safety Information Promulgated via the EGC SafetyNET system and recommendations on improving its quality |
| COMSAR.1/Circ.45 | 04/02/09 | Guidance on distress alerts |
| COMSAR.1/Circ.50/Rev.3 | 13/01/12 | Distress priority communications for RCC from shore to ship via Inmarsat |
| COMSAR.1/Circ.53/Rev.2 | 22/07/13 | List of Land Earth Station (LES) Operation Coordinators in the Inmarsat System |
| COMSAR.1/Circ.55 | 30/11/12 | Guidance for entering and updating information on search and rescue services into GISIS and on how to get access to the information for operational use |
| COMSAR.1/Circ.56 | 30/11/12 | Guidance on smartphone and other computer device SAR applications |
| MSC/Circ.805 | 06/06/97 | Guidance for the use of radio signals by ships under attack or threat of attack from pirates or armed robbers |
| MSC/Circ.892 | 16/12/98 | Alerting of search and rescue authorities |
| MSC/Circ.895 | 04/02/99 | Recommendation on helicopter landing areas on ro-ro passenger ships |
| MSC/Circ.896/Rev.2 | 26/05/16 | Interim measures for combating unsafe practices associated with the trafficking, smuggling or transport of migrants by sea |
| MSC/Circ.959 | 20/06/00 | Interim procedures for MRCCs on receipt of distress alerts |
| MSC/Circ.960 | 20/06/00 | Medical assistance at sea |
| MSC/Circ.1042 | 28/05/02 | List of contents of the "Emergency Medical Kit/Bag" and medical consideration for its use on ro-ro passenger ships not normally carrying a medical doctor |
| MSC/Circ.1043 | 31/05/02 | Guidance on ships' daily reporting of their positions to their companies |
| MSC/Circ.1073 | 10/06/03 | Measures to enhance maritime security – Directives for maritime rescue coordination centres (MRCCs) on acts of violence against ships |
| MSC/Circ.1078 | 06/06/03 | Guidelines to Administrations on reporting false alerts |
| MSC/Circ.1079/Rev.1 | 16/06/17 | Guidelines for preparing plans for cooperation between search and rescue services and passenger ships (in accordance with SOLAS regulation V/7.3) |
| MSC/Circ.1105 | 25/02/04 | Guidance on responsibility and liability issues related to the use of the emergency medical kit/bag and evaluation of its use in emergency incidents |
| MSC/Circ.1156 | 23/05/05 | Guidance on the access of public authorities, emergency response services and pilots on board ships to which SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code apply |
| MSC/Circ.1172 | 23/05/05 | Identification of passenger ships, other than ro-ro passenger ships, which should benefit from being equipped with the Emergency Medical Kit/Bag (EMK) |
| MSC.1/Circ.1182/Rev.1 | 21/11/14 | Guide to recovery techniques |
| MSC.1/Circ.1183 | 31/05/06 | Guidelines on the provision of external support as an aid to incident containment for SAR Authorities and others concerned |
| MSC.1/Circ.1184 | 31/05/06 | Enhanced contingency planning guidance for passenger ships operating in areas remote from SAR facilities |
| MSC.1/Circ.1185/Rev.1 | 30/11/12 | Guide for cold water survival |
| MSC.1/Circ.1186 | 01/06/06 | Guidelines on the training of SAR service personnel working in major incidents |
| MSC.1/Circ.1208 | 22/05/06 | Promoting and verifying continued familiarization of GMDSS operators on board ships |
| MSC.1/Circ.1210/Rev.1 | 21/11/14 | Guidance on the Cospas-Sarsat International 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database |
| MSC.1/Circ.1214 | 15/12/06 | Performance standards for the systems and services to remain operational on passenger ships for safe return to port and orderly evacuation and abandonment after a casualty |
| MSC.1/Circ.1218 | 15/12/06 | Guidance on exchange of medical information between telemedical assistance services (TMAS) involved in international SAR operations |
| MSC.1/Circ.1248 | 16/10/07 | Minimizing delays in search and rescue response to distress alerts |
| MSC.1/Circ.1287/Rev.1 | 24/06/13 | Amendments to resolution A.705(17) – Promulgation of Maritime Safety Information |
| MSC.1/Circ.1288/Rev.1 | 24/06/13 | Amendments to resolution A.706(17) – World‑Wide Navigational Warning Service |
| MSC.1/Circ.1333/Rev.1 | 26/06/09 | Recommendations to Governments for preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships |
| MSC.1/Circ.1334 | 23/06/09 | Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships |
| MSC.1/Circ.1338/Rev.1 | 21/11/14 | Guidance to search and rescue services in relation to requesting and receiving LRIT information |
| MSC.1/Circ.1365 | 24/05/10 | Commercially available locating, tracking and emergency notification devices |
| MSC.1/Circ.1382/Rev.2 | 24/06/13 | Questionnaire on the availability of shore‑based facilities in the GMDSS |
| MSC.1/Circ.1403/Rev.1 | 25/11/16 | Revised NAVTEX Manual, which will enter into force on 1 January 2018 |
| MSC.1/Circ.1412/Rev.1 | 21/11/14 | Principles and Guidelines relating to the review and audit of the performance of LRIT Data Centres and the International LRIT Data Exchange (Principles and Guidelines) |
| MSC.1/Circ.1413 | 25/05/12 | Basic safety guidance for yacht races or oceanic voyages by non-regulated craft |
| MSC.1/Circ.1447 | 14/12/12 | Guidelines for the development of plans and procedures for recovery of persons from the water |
| MSC.1/Circ.1594 | 25/05/18 | Amendments to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual |
| GMDSS.1/Circ.22 | 30/07/18 | Master Plan of shore-based facilities for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS Master Plan) |
| Current SAR.7/Circular | List of documents which should be held by a MRCC or JRCC |
3. Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS)
| REFERENCE | DATE(dd/mm/yy)where applicable | TITLE |
|---|---|---|
| Global SAR Plan module | Real time | Global SAR Plan |
| Contact Points module on Maritime Assistance Services | Real time | Contact Points on Maritime Assistance Services |
| GMDSS module | Real time | GMDSS Master Plan |
4. Non-IMO documents
| REFERENCE | DATE (dd/mm/yy)where applicable | TITLE |
| ITU List IV | 2017 (updated biennially) | List IV – List of Coast Stations and Special Service Stations [on CD-ROM]
can be purchased at: http://www.itu.int/pub/R-SP-LM/en |
| ITU List V | 2018 (updated annually) | List V – List of Ship Stations and Maritime Mobile Service Identity Assignments [on CD-ROM] can be purchased at: http://www.itu.int/pub/R-SP-LM/en |
| ITU MARS | Updated daily | Maritime mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS) containing the same information as in List IV and List V above Available for free at: http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/terrestrial/mars/Pages/MARS.aspx |
| Cospas-Sarsat –C/S G.007 | February 2018 | Handbook on Distress Alert Messages for RCCs, SPOCs and IMO Ship Security Competent Authorities (Issue 2, revision 1) Available for free at: http://www.cospas-sarsat.int/en/documents-pro/system-documents |
| List of Radio Signals | List of Radio Signals | |
| Air Navigation Plan for ICAO region the MRCC or JRCC is located in | Electronic Air Navigation Plan (eANP) available on ICAO Regional Office website located at: https://www.icao.int/NACC/Pages/namcar-eANPV1.aspx | |
| ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices ISBN 978-92-9231-384-5 | July 2004 | Annex 12 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation – Search and Rescue https://store.icao.int/en/annex-12-search-and-rescue |