5 However one could try to improve the way information from COSPAS-SARSAT is disseminated to the SAR community as a whole.
6 With this in mind, it is propose to create a special series of IMO circulars which would allow COSPAS-SARSAT, under its own responsibility, to disseminate information on the functioning of the system to all IMO Member States and observers. Such a special series of circulars would appear to be justified by the fact that COSPAS-SARSAT is one of the components of the GMDSS and that the IMO is co-depository of its intergovernmental founding agreement.
7 Such a special series of circulars would have the following advantages:
.1 It would allow COSPAS-SARSAT to pass on information to the world maritime community without waiting for the next COMSAR meeting (which is normally the only distribution channel for such information), thus reducing the delay in dissemination by between four months and a year;
.2 Even if the question of urgency does not arise, it would be a more appropriate and more effective context for some of the information than mere distribution via COMSAR document z/y/x or COMSAR z/INF.x, which are addressed primarily only to those participating in or preparing for the session of the Sub-Committee;
.3 It would demonstrate the fact that COSPAS-SARSAT is at the service of the entire world maritime community, and not just at the service of those States that explicitly help to finance it;
.4 It would demonstrate the bonds of complementarity and cooperation between the two organizations, IMO and COSPAS-SARSAT.
8 It should be noted that there has already been a special series of IMO circulars numbered "COS-SAR/Circ.x" intended to notify members of information concerning the accession of new participants to COSPAS-SARSAT. This method of dissemination seems to have been replaced by letters from the Secretary-General.
It is thus proposed to number the new series as "COSPAS-SARSAT/Circ.x".
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
9 The Sub-Committee is invited:
.1 to adopt in principle the above proposal for special circulars providing information on the COSPAS-SARSAT system, published at the request of and under the responsibility of COSPAS-SARSAT.
.2 to obtain the opinion of the Secretariat on how it would be implemented and decide accordingly.
