MSC 69/3/1
ANNEX
.9 "Alerting post". Any facility
intended to serve as an intermediary between a person
reporting an emergency and a rescue co-ordination centre
or rescue sub-centre.
.10 "Emergency phase". A generic term
meaning, as the case may be, uncertainty phase, alert
phase or distress phase.
.11 "Uncertainty phase". A situation
wherein uncertainty exists as to the safety of a vessel
and the persons on board.
.12 "Alert phase". A situation wherein
apprehension exists as to the safety of a vessel and of
the persons on board.
.13 "Distress phase" A situation
wherein there is a reasonable certainty that a vessel or
a person is threatened by grave and imminent danger and
requires immediate assistance.
.14 "On-scene co-ordinator". A person
designated to co-ordinate search and rescue operations
within a specified area.
.15 "Secretary-General".The
Secretary-General of the Intemational Maritime
Organization."
CHAPTER 2
ORGANIZATION AND CO-ORDINATION
2.1 Arrangement for provision and co-ordination
of search and rescue services
2.1.1 Parties shall, as they are able to do so
individually or in co-operation with other States and, as
appropriate. with the Organization, participate in the
development of search and rescue services to ensure that
assistance is rendered to any person in distress at sea. On
receiving information that any person is, or appears to be,
in distress at sea, the responsible authorities of a Party
shall take urgent steps to ensure that the necessary
assistance is provided.
2.1.2 Parties shall, either individually or, if
appropriate, in co-operation with other States, establish the
following basic elements of a search and rescue service:
.1 legal framework;
.2 assignment of a responsible authority;
.3 organisation of available resources;
.4 communication facilities;
.5 co-ordination and operational functions; and
