ANNEX 1
Draft MSC Circular
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT SEA AND IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE OF TELEMEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES
1 Introduction
1.1 General
There is now a general tendency to regard medical assistance at sea as an integral part of rescue. This approach is consistent with the SAR Convention which provides (paragraph 1.3.3) that the "search and rescue service" consists of "the performance of distress monitoring, communication, co-ordination and search and rescue functions, including provision of medical advice, initial medical assistance or medical evacuation..."
It seems important for the International Maritime Organization to take this fact into account and to work, as in its other fields of action, to put in place arrangements and procedures aimed at effective enhancement of the protection of human life at sea.
1.2 Purpose of the circular
An optimal arrangement for medical assistance at sea is based on the following five elements:
- one or more RCCs;
- a telemedical assistance service (TMAS);
- means of intervention at sea;
- shore-based arrangements;
- common operational procedures.
The purpose of this circular is to inform or remind States of the elements of a global system of medical assistance at sea and to encourage those which have not yet done so to set up such a system (which to a large extent uses existing elements), including an officially designated maritime telemedical assistance service.
1.3 General remarks
1.3.1 A system of medical assistance at sea applies in theory to ships that do not have a doctor on board. It may, however, be requested in certain circumstances by a ship's doctor.
1.3.2 In this circular, RCC should be understood to include MRCC (maritime rescue co-ordination centres) and JRCC (joint rescue coordination centres of aeronautical and maritime organizations) or even, if applicable, MRSC or JRSC (maritime or joint rescue secondary centres).
1.3.3 Although professional seafarers are the principal beneficiaries of the system of medical assistance at sea, it is also true that in some areas such a system may also benefit passengers on ships that do not satisfy the conditions because they have a doctor on board, as well as pleasure craft.
