Progress in maritime SAR from the latest IMO Working Group discussions

The 12th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) took place from 13 to 19 May 2025. Among its working groups, Group 3, chaired by Mr. F. Liu (China), focused primarily on Search and Rescue (SAR) matters. While other groups addressed ship routeing measures and maritime communications, Working Group 3 concentrated on key developments in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), proposed amendments to the SOLAS Convention, improvements in global SAR coordination, and the inclusion of psychological aspects within emergency response planning. 

The meeting saw further refinement of the implementation roadmap for NAVDAT, a radio broadcast data system that offers greater bandwidth than NAVTEX, and a review of the draft NAVDAT Manual. These revisions clarified message priority levels, particularly regarding distress communications and the handling of meteorological forecast and urgent weather broadcasts. Additionally, the group finalised draft amendments to SOLAS regulations IV/5, V/4, and V/5, aimed at ensuring that Maritime Safety Information (MSI) is disseminated through all Recognized Mobile Satellite Services (RMSS), currently Inmarsat and Iridium. These changes seek to guarantee that mariners receive timely and reliable safety information regardless of location. 

Important progress was made in relation to search and rescue operations, particularly in response to evolving maritime challenges. The group considered a paper submitted by Australia on homing operations for 406 MHz distress beacons, a topic the IMRF has been following closely and has provided briefing materials on to its members. In light of recent incidents involving submersible vessels, Chile proposed the development of specific guidance for SAR operations involving submarines and passenger submersibles. This initiative was well received, reflecting a growing recognition of the unique challenges posed by deep-sea emergencies. The group also endorsed a newly renamed document, the “General Overview of SAR Issues,” which provides a strategic outlook on global SAR challenges and will guide discussions within the ICAO-IMO Joint SAR Working Group. 

Efforts to improve coordination between neighbouring SAR regions also gained momentum. Colombia submitted a proposal for amendments to Volume I of the IAMSAR Manual, aimed at improving communications and information-sharing between neighbouring SAR services. This initiative responds to the increasing need for streamlined, transboundary operations and was welcomed by the group. 

Another significant area of discussion focused on the psychological dimension of emergency response. Acknowledging the emotional toll that emergencies can have on both survivors and SAR personnel, the group supported the development of guidance to address psychological considerations within SAR operations planning. This guidance will initially be incorporated into the IAMSAR Manual, with a subsequent IMO circular expected to follow. The integration of psychological preparedness into SAR training and documentation marks a vital step forward in ensuring comprehensive and human-centred rescue operations. 

The group approved the updated agenda for the 32nd meeting of the ICAO/ and IMO Joint Working Group on SAR, which will take place in Sydney. It also considered proposals aimed at strengthening SAR cooperation between passenger ships and coastal services, particularly in relation to existing IMO regulations that call for the creation of SAR Cooperation Plans for all passenger ships. As part of this, the group reviewed potential revisions to IMO document MSC.1/Circ.1079/Rev.1 to better support the development and implementation of these cooperation plans. 

The IMRF welcomes these developments, which represent meaningful progress in the global effort to enhance maritime safety.  

A detailed IMRF members’ report from NCSR 12 Working Group 3 will be available in the Members Area in the coming weeks.