This year marks a significant milestone in international aviation safety and cooperation history as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the ICAO Annex 12, also known as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 12 to the Convention on Civil Aviation – Search and Rescue.

The Annex was approved by the ICAO council on 21 May 1950 and came into effect on 1 May 1951. There have been several amendments over the decades, and Annex 12 is now at Edition 9.

The ICAO Annex 12, which focuses on search and rescue (SAR) matters, is structured to provide comprehensive guidance on establishing, maintaining, and operating SAR services. Its main sections include:

1. Definitions: Clarifying key terms used throughout the annex.
2. SAR Services: Outlining the responsibilities of member states in establishing SAR services.
3. Coordination: Detailing the organisation and coordination of SAR operations, including the roles of Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs).
4. Procedures: Providing standardised procedures for SAR operations.
5. Communication: Highlighting the communication requirements for effective SAR operations.
6. Training and Exercises: Emphasising the importance of training and regular exercises for SAR personnel.

Since its inception in 1950, Annex 12 has been a cornerstone of the ICAO’s commitment to ensuring the safety of aviation operations worldwide. This vital document has established the global standards and recommended practices that underpin SAR operations, providing a framework for the rapid and coordinated response to emergencies and safeguarding human lives.

Over the past seven and a half decades, Annex 12 has evolved to address emerging challenges and leverage advancements in technology. It has facilitated international collaboration, uniting member states and stakeholders in their shared mission to uphold the highest standards of SAR services. Its enduring impact is a testament to the dedication and resilience of countless individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to deliver critical SAR operations across land, sea, and air.

In 1993, ICAO and the IMO jointly created the International Aviation and Maritime SAR (IAMSAR) Manuals, recognising that SAR is now considered by both organisations a holistic activity involving everyone who flies or sails over the seas and those who fly across land masses.

As we honour this important anniversary, we pay tribute to the visionaries who first shaped Annex 12, and the aviation and SAR professionals who continue to ensure its implementation.

This occasion should serve as a reminder of the importance of the collective responsibility of mariners and aviators to enhance global aviation safety, strengthen SAR capabilities, along with the collaboration between ICAO and the IMO, and uphold the principle that every life is valuable.

Together, the IMRF and ICAO celebrate 75 years of Annex 12 – a beacon of humanity in the skies. Let us look to the future with renewed dedication to innovation, cooperation, and excellence in search and rescue services.

Please click on the link to access the online reader version of CAO Annex 12: Annex 12 — Search and Rescue