Vessel Identity
Technical QuestionIs the vessel correctly identified?
ObjectiveSupport rapid vessel identification by SAR authorities.
Maritime Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Search and Rescue (SAR) Cooperation Plans Under SOLAS V/7.3 and IMO MSC.1/Circ.1079/Rev.1
Understanding SAR Cooperation Plan requirements, emergency information and practical Search and Rescue coordination for passenger and commercial vessels.
What Is a Search and Rescue (SAR) Cooperation Plan?
Search and Rescue (SAR) operations depend on rapid communication, accurate vessel information and effective coordination between a ship in distress and the appropriate Search and Rescue authorities.
A SAR Cooperation Plan provides a structured means of ensuring that important vessel-specific information is available to support cooperation between the ship, the company and relevant Search and Rescue services during an emergency.
For passenger vessels, RO-RO vessels and other ships carrying substantial numbers of persons, accurate emergency information can be particularly important because the potential consequences of an incident may involve the evacuation or rescue of many people.
Technical principle:
A SAR Cooperation Plan should not simply be treated as another
compliance document. Its practical value is its ability to provide
relevant and accurate information that can support SAR authorities
during an actual emergency.
SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 7.3
SOLAS Chapter V addresses Safety of Navigation. Regulation 7 concerns Search and Rescue services and requires ships to carry appropriate information concerning Search and Rescue services.
The regulatory framework recognizes the importance of cooperation between ships and the Search and Rescue organization when assistance is required.
The practical implementation of SAR information and cooperation arrangements should therefore be considered together with the vessel's operating profile, communication arrangements, emergency procedures and applicable flag State requirements.
Important distinction:
SOLAS establishes the mandatory regulatory framework, while applicable
IMO guidance provides additional technical direction for developing
practical SAR cooperation arrangements.
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1079/Rev.1
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1079/Rev.1 is associated with the development and use of Search and Rescue Cooperation Plans. Its purpose is to support effective cooperation between ships and Search and Rescue services.
The underlying concept is straightforward: SAR authorities should be able to obtain useful information about the vessel and its operational circumstances so that appropriate assistance and coordination can be arranged when necessary.
A well-structured plan should therefore be practical, vessel-specific and maintained so that important information remains current.
What Information Should Be Considered in a SAR Cooperation Plan?
The exact information applicable to a vessel depends on its type, operation, flag requirements and trading area. However, a technical review should consider whether the relevant categories of information are properly identified and maintained.
Vessel Identification
Accurate vessel identification and principal particulars should be available so that SAR authorities can quickly establish the identity and characteristics of the vessel requiring or providing assistance.
Vessel Characteristics
Principal dimensions, vessel type, passenger-carrying capability, vehicle capacity and other relevant characteristics may form part of the emergency information required for SAR coordination.
Communication Information
Relevant maritime communication information should be identified so that contact between the vessel and the appropriate SAR authorities can be established and maintained.
SAR Authorities
Applicable Rescue Coordination Centre and relevant SAR contact information should be considered according to the vessel's operating area and established arrangements.
Emergency Information
Information that may assist SAR personnel in understanding the vessel's situation and potential assistance requirements should be appropriately identified.
Document Control
SAR information should be reviewed and updated when vessel particulars, communication arrangements, operating areas or relevant emergency information change.
SAR Planning for RO-RO Passenger Vessels
RO-RO passenger vessels require particular attention to emergency information because they can combine passenger transportation with significant vehicle-carrying operations.
As an example, a project reviewed by PAMS involved a RO-RO passenger vessel with a length overall of 78.92 m and a beam of 14.94 m. The vessel has a carrying capacity of 512 passengers and a vehicle deck designed to accommodate 24 trucks or buses.
These characteristics demonstrate why vessel-specific information is important when preparing emergency and SAR documentation. The information available to SAR authorities should accurately reflect the vessel's actual operational configuration.
RO-RO passenger vessel consideration:
Passenger capacity and vehicle-deck arrangements are important vessel
characteristics that should be accurately reflected in relevant
emergency documentation where applicable.
SAR Cooperation Plan Technical Review
Vessel Particulars Verification
Confirm that vessel identification, dimensions and other principal particulars contained within the SAR documentation correspond with current vessel information.
Passenger Information
Review the passenger-carrying characteristics relevant to the vessel and emergency response requirements.
Communication Arrangements
Review the information necessary to support emergency communication between the vessel and relevant SAR services.
SAR Contact Information
Review applicable SAR authority and Rescue Coordination Centre information against the vessel's operational arrangements.
Emergency Coordination
Assess whether the information is presented in a way that can support effective coordination during an emergency.
Document Currency
Identify information that may require updating following changes to vessel particulars, operation or communication arrangements.
Common SAR Cooperation Plan Weaknesses
From a technical documentation perspective, the effectiveness of a SAR Cooperation Plan can be reduced when information is incomplete, inconsistent or outdated.
Outdated Vessel Particulars
Changes to vessel configuration, dimensions, passenger capacity or operational characteristics may not always be reflected promptly in emergency documentation.
Incorrect Contact Information
SAR coordination information should be reviewed periodically to ensure that applicable emergency contact details remain appropriate.
Poor Document Accessibility
Important emergency information becomes less useful if crew or emergency-response personnel cannot locate it quickly.
Inconsistent Documentation
Differences between SAR information, vessel particulars, emergency plans and communication records can create unnecessary uncertainty during an emergency.
SAR Cooperation Plan Review Matrix
Vessel Particulars
Technical QuestionAre principal dimensions and characteristics current?
ObjectiveProvide accurate vessel information for emergency coordination.
Passenger Capacity
Technical QuestionIs relevant passenger information properly reflected?
ObjectiveSupport assessment of potential persons requiring assistance.
Vehicle Operations
Technical QuestionAre relevant RO-RO vehicle arrangements identified?
ObjectiveProvide SAR authorities with appropriate operational context.
Communications
Technical QuestionAre relevant emergency communication arrangements identified?
ObjectiveSupport effective communication with SAR services.
SAR Coordination
Technical QuestionIs applicable SAR authority information available?
ObjectiveFacilitate emergency coordination.
Document Control
Technical QuestionIs the information periodically reviewed?
ObjectiveMaintain current and reliable SAR information.
Relationship Between SAR Plans and GMDSS
Search and Rescue cooperation and maritime distress communications are closely connected. The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) provides the communications framework used to support distress alerting, safety communications and coordination.
A SAR Cooperation Plan does not replace the vessel's GMDSS equipment, certificates, operating procedures or required emergency communications. Instead, SAR documentation should be considered as part of the wider emergency-response and communication framework.
Practical approach:
SAR documentation, GMDSS arrangements, emergency procedures and vessel
particulars should be internally consistent so that emergency
information can be communicated accurately when required.
SAR Cooperation Plan – Technical Review Process
Collect Current Vessel Information
Establish the current vessel particulars, operating profile and available emergency documentation.
Review Regulatory Framework
Identify the applicable SOLAS, IMO, flag State and operational requirements relevant to the SAR arrangements.
Cross-Check SAR Information
Compare SAR documentation against current vessel and emergency information.
Identify Gaps
Identify incomplete, inconsistent, outdated or unclear information requiring attention.
Technical Recommendations
Provide practical recommendations for improving the accuracy and usability of the SAR Cooperation Plan.
Why Periodic SAR Plan Review Matters
SAR documentation can become outdated even when the vessel itself remains fully operational. Changes in vessel particulars, ownership, management, communication arrangements, operating areas or emergency contacts can affect the accuracy of the information contained within the plan.
Periodic review therefore forms an important part of maintaining the practical effectiveness of emergency documentation.
Vessel Changes
Review following modifications, conversions or changes to
principal vessel characteristics.
Operational Changes
Review when trading patterns, operating areas or operational
profiles change.
Communication Changes
Review when relevant communication equipment or arrangements
change.
Contact Information
Verify applicable emergency and SAR contact information.
Applicable Technical Framework
SOLAS Chapter V
Safety of Navigation requirements applicable to Search and
Rescue services and information.
SOLAS Regulation V/7.3
Relevant SOLAS requirement concerning Search and Rescue
services and information carried by ships.
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1079/Rev.1
IMO guidance concerning Search and Rescue Cooperation Plans.
GMDSS
Maritime distress and safety communication framework relevant
to emergency coordination.
Flag State Requirements
Applicable national requirements and approval arrangements
relevant to the vessel.
Vessel Emergency Procedures
Applicable onboard emergency preparedness and response
arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions – SAR Cooperation Plans
What is a SAR Cooperation Plan?
A SAR Cooperation Plan is a structured set of vessel-specific information intended to support cooperation and communication between a ship and Search and Rescue authorities during an emergency.
What is SOLAS V/7.3?
SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 7.3 forms part of the Safety of Navigation requirements concerning Search and Rescue services and relevant information carried by ships.
What is IMO MSC.1/Circ.1079/Rev.1?
It is IMO guidance associated with the development and use of Search and Rescue Cooperation Plans for ships.
Are SAR Cooperation Plans important for passenger vessels?
Yes. Passenger vessels may carry significant numbers of persons, making accurate emergency information and effective SAR coordination particularly important.
Does a SAR Cooperation Plan replace GMDSS?
No. A SAR Cooperation Plan does not replace GMDSS equipment, certification or operating procedures. It supports the wider emergency communication and Search and Rescue coordination framework.
Should a SAR Cooperation Plan be reviewed periodically?
Yes. SAR information should be reviewed when relevant vessel, operational, communication or emergency-response information changes and should be maintained in accordance with applicable regulatory and company requirements.
PAMS SAR Cooperation Plan Technical Consultancy
PAMS Pacific Admiralty Maritime Services provides independent marine technical consultancy for vessel inspections, marine engineering, maritime regulatory compliance and technical documentation review.
SAR Cooperation Plan consultancy can include technical review of vessel information, emergency documentation, SAR coordination information and related maritime communication arrangements within the agreed project scope.
Independent technical approach:
PAMS focuses on technical accuracy, regulatory alignment and practical
usability of maritime documentation. The applicable flag State,
statutory, class and operational requirements remain controlling for
the vessel concerned.
About the Technical Author
Technical Content Review
Last Technical Review
August 2026
Review Frequency
This technical article is reviewed periodically to reflect applicable international maritime regulations, IMO guidance and recognized marine technical practices.
Referenced framework:
SOLAS Chapter V, SOLAS Regulation V/7.3, IMO MSC.1/Circ.1079/Rev.1,
GMDSS requirements, applicable Flag State requirements and relevant
emergency-response arrangements.
Engineering Reference Notice
This article provides general technical information concerning Search and Rescue Cooperation Plans and should not be interpreted as a substitute for the applicable SOLAS requirements, IMO instruments, Flag State requirements, statutory approvals, classification requirements or vessel-specific emergency procedures. The applicable regulatory requirements depend on the vessel, flag, operating area and circumstances. Vessel-specific SAR arrangements should always be verified against current approved documentation and applicable authorities.
Need a SAR Cooperation Plan Review?
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