Southern Ocean search and rescue: platforms and procedures

Rescue of persons in distress at sea is both a maritime tradition and a legal obligation derived from a number of specific international law conventions including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR Convention). The last prescribes a formal process for state collaboration and response to SAR emergencies to minimize costs and maximize efficiencies. The world is divided into SAR regions and states are obliged to cooperate in coordinating responses in their area of responsibility, and in helping in other regions when appropriate. This generally works well and it is not normally politicized.