8.3 A paper was presented in which a SAR awareness training for merchant ship personnel was described. It was noted that MSC/Circ.864 recommended that SAR seminars and refresher seminars were held for key personnel on board passenger ships and their companies to further the awareness of shipboard emergencies. The JWG noted the benefits of such an initiative and agreed that the development of SAR training for co-operating agencies, companies and Organizations, in co-operation with ILF, should be pursued.
Recommendation 6/18 - Seminars for users of the SAR system
That, a working paper be prepared regarding the usefulness of seminars for users of the SAR system, to be presented to JWG/7.
9. Agenda Item 9 - Any other business
9.1 Information was provided regarding the formation of the International Search and Rescue Society Inc. which would the incorporated as a non-profit organization under Canadian law. The initial funding for true society had been provided and an introductory membership fee of US $ 10 would be requested when memberships were accepted. The JWG congratulated Canada for the initiative and members of the group were encouraged to join the society.
9.2 A presentation was made on the safety of recreational boating in Canada. It was noted that only 15 per cent of all recreational boaters had any form of training. The present programme was aimed at getting more boaters to get the training and was also attempting to educate beaters regarding bolting and alcohol. A boating safety programme involved three components of operator proficiency: skill to operate; knowledge about boating safety; and proper on-the-water attitude. The Canadian Coast Guard in its present programme focused on the knowledge about boating safety in which courses were provided.
9.3 Turkey brought the attention of the Group to the composition and number of members of the Joint Working Group. That issue had also been raised by Greece in MSC/69. The Chairman informed the group that this issue was not on the agenda of the JWG and that it would be discussed at COMSAR 4.
9.4 The JWG noted that, in the Indian Ocean Maritime SAR Conference, a Resolution relating to the establishment of an international SAR fund had been agreed. In the resolution, IMO was invited, in co-operation with the aviation and maritime communities and for the purpose of assisting countries, in particular developing countries, to fulfil their obligations under the SAR and SOLAS Conventions, to consider establishing an International SAR Fund. The JWG was of the opinion that this resolution should again be brought to the attention of the COMSAR Sub-Committee.
10. Agenda Item 10 - Report to ICAO and the COMSAR Sub-Committee
10.1 The JWG agreed that the report be submitted to ICAO and IMO for action.
10.2 Since there was no COMSAR Meeting with a following meeting of the MSC before the next proposed meeting of the Joint Working Group, the IMO Secretariat was invited to bring paragraph 0.3 to the attention of the MSC for the approval of the holding of the next JWG meeting.
