New page 27 (English version) of COMSAR/Circ.15
"3.3 SEARCH AND RESCUE
Communications related to search and rescue operations such as distress alerts, co-ordination of operations, local communications and positioning signals are never MSI, even when (for some shore-to-ship alerts) they use the international SafetyNET or NAVTEX services which are also used for MSI. This guide, therefore, does not apply to them.
Search and rescue operations may, however, involve the broadcasting of MSI in the navigational warning category in the following two cases, described in 3.1.1.6 and 3.1.1.7 of this manual:
A. "at the request of the controlling maritime rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC), notification of ships and aircraft on or over the open sea reported in distress, seriously overdue or missing (when search and rescue operations have been stood down after a hitless search, when failing to find a ship alongside in a port search, or when a ship is several days overdue and contact cannot be established)".
This type of navigational warning may seem similar to an alert message. However, it is completely different in nature. An alert message is legally binding on the captain to intervene (in accordance with the provisions of SOLAS regulation V/10 or national legislation). A navigational warning signalling the disappearance of a ship is merely a request for collaboration with the SAR service, without in any way changing the normal operation of the ship, to complement the active search in progress or when a search has been fruitless or impracticable.
B. Information on "areas where search and rescue (SAR) and anti-pollution operations are being carried out (for avoidance of such areas)";
This situation is cover by the "Miscellaneous" cases described in 3.2.3 B8 above. Such navigational warnings should only be broadcast at the request of an MRCC or at least after the broadcasting service has confirmed with the MRCC that no further assistance is requested.
