Improved Collaboration on Search and Rescue (SAR) in Antarctica
The Representatives,
Recalling Resolutions 6 (2008), 6 (2010), 7 (2012) and 8 (2012) regarding search and rescue in Antarctica;
Concerned about the tragic loss of life in several vessel incidents in Antarctica in recent years;
Noting the commitment of all Antarctic Treaty Parties to promoting safety with regard to activities taking place within the Antarctic Treaty area;
Mindful that anticipated increases in human activity in the Antarctic including national program operations, shipping, fishing and tourism, will add to the challenges and risks associated with Antarctic search and rescue (SAR) operations;
Expressing appreciation to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties that operate Rescue Coordination Centres (“RCCs”) with Antarctic responsibilities for the benefit of all persons in distress in their respective SAR regions;
Recognizing the high level of coordination that already exists with respect to SAR in Antarctica among the RCCs with Antarctic responsibilities, including through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP), and between the RCCs and the national Antarctic programs operating within their areas of responsibility;
Recalling the commitment of relevant Parties to the 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue and the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Annex 12 - Search and Rescue, to cooperate in the execution of SAR missions and activities;
Noting the importance of discussions among experts held at the ATCM XXXVI Special Working Group on Search and Rescue; and
Desiring to increase the success and efficiency of SAR operations in the Antarctic.
Recommend that the Parties:
1. continue to collaborate actively on search and rescue in the Antarctic Treaty area;
2. commit to share best practices related to SAR in Antarctica, taking advantage of expertise developed by each of the five RCCs with Antarctic responsibilities;
3. cooperate as appropriate at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other relevant fora to promote the implementation of SAR protocols and practices that would be beneficial in the Antarctic context;
4. request that the Executive Secretary provide a copy of this Resolution and the section on the Special Working Group on Search and Rescue from the Final Report of ATCM XXXVI to the Secretaries General of the IMO and ICAO for information;
5. invite the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to consider appropriate means within its jurisdiction to support SAR efforts and to improve fishing vessel safety within the CCAMLR Convention Area;
6. urge their National Antarctic Programs to provide annually updated information on assets that could be used for SAR purposes to COMNAP;
7. support COMNAP to continue to foster collaborative discussions and vital sharing of information regarding SAR matters including through:
a. holding triennial workshops on search and rescue, that include representatives of the RCCs, National Antarctic Programs, relevant experts, private operators as well as commercial emergency notification service providers, and inform future ATCMs on the results of these workshops;
b. establishing a web portal that promotes information exchange between RCCs on shared SAR goals and best practices,; and
c. ensuring that other information on National Antarctic Programs, including assets, that could be used for SAR purposes be available to RCCs through the COMNAP website, and linked to the Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES).
8. encourage RCCs with Antarctic responsibilities to conduct SAR exercises with each other, National Antarctic Programs, IAATO, and other relevant entities to continually improve SAR cooperation and response.
The Representatives,
Recalling Resolutions 6 (2008), 6 (2010), 7 (2012) and 8 (2012) regarding search and rescue in Antarctica;
Concerned about the tragic loss of life in several vessel incidents in Antarctica in recent years;
Noting the commitment of all Antarctic Treaty Parties to promoting safety with regard to activities taking place within the Antarctic Treaty area;
Mindful that anticipated increases in human activity in the Antarctic including national program operations, shipping, fishing and tourism, will add to the challenges and risks associated with Antarctic search and rescue (SAR) operations;
Expressing appreciation to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties that operate Rescue Coordination Centres (“RCCs”) with Antarctic responsibilities for the benefit of all persons in distress in their respective SAR regions;
Recognizing the high level of coordination that already exists with respect to SAR in Antarctica among the RCCs with Antarctic responsibilities, including through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP), and between the RCCs and the national Antarctic programs operating within their areas of responsibility;
Recalling the commitment of relevant Parties to the 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue and the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Annex 12 - Search and Rescue, to cooperate in the execution of SAR missions and activities;
Noting the importance of discussions among experts held at the ATCM XXXVI Special Working Group on Search and Rescue; and
Desiring to increase the success and efficiency of SAR operations in the Antarctic.
Recommend that the Parties:
1. continue to collaborate actively on search and rescue in the Antarctic Treaty area;
2. commit to share best practices related to SAR in Antarctica, taking advantage of expertise developed by each of the five RCCs with Antarctic responsibilities;
3. cooperate as appropriate at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other relevant fora to promote the implementation of SAR protocols and practices that would be beneficial in the Antarctic context;
4. request that the Executive Secretary provide a copy of this Resolution and the section on the Special Working Group on Search and Rescue from the Final Report of ATCM XXXVI to the Secretaries General of the IMO and ICAO for information;
5. invite the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to consider appropriate means within its jurisdiction to support SAR efforts and to improve fishing vessel safety within the CCAMLR Convention Area;
6. urge their National Antarctic Programs to provide annually updated information on assets that could be used for SAR purposes to COMNAP;
7. support COMNAP to continue to foster collaborative discussions and vital sharing of information regarding SAR matters including through:
a. holding triennial workshops on search and rescue, that include representatives of the RCCs, National Antarctic Programs, relevant experts, private operators as well as commercial emergency notification service providers, and inform future ATCMs on the results of these workshops;
b. establishing a web portal that promotes information exchange between RCCs on shared SAR goals and best practices,; and
c. ensuring that other information on National Antarctic Programs, including assets, that could be used for SAR purposes be available to RCCs through the COMNAP website, and linked to the Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES).
8. encourage RCCs with Antarctic responsibilities to conduct SAR exercises with each other, National Antarctic Programs, IAATO, and other relevant entities to continually improve SAR cooperation and response.
