JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

It discusses territorial issues and provides for development of
bilateral and multilateral SAR agreements. RCCs are identified as
having the key role in international SAR operational coordination.
Resolution 6 provides for IMO development of a global distress and
safety communications system, another key to success of the Convention.
Convention with Respect to Assistance and Salvage at Sea
September 23, 1910 (37 Stat. 1658; TIAS 576)
This Convention contains the provision that "Every master is bound,
so far as he can do so without serious danger to his vessel, her crew
and passengers, to render assistance to everybody, even though an enemy,
found at sea in danger of being lost." It also has provisions regarding
remuneration in connection with assistance and salvage at sea.
Convention on the High Seas
April 29, 1958 (13 UST 2312; TIAS 5200; 450 UNTS 82)
Article 12 of this treaty provides that every State shall require
the master of a ship sailing under its flag, insofar as he can do so
without serious danger to the ship, to render assistance to any person
at sea in danger of being lost, and to proceed with all possible speed
to the rescue of persons in distress if informed of their need of
assistance, insofar as such action may reasonably be expected of him.
After a collision, he is to render assistance to another ship, her crew,
and passengers, and where possible, to inform the other ship of the name
of his own ship, her port of registry, and the nearest port of call.
These provisions are codified in United States law at 46 USC 2304 and
2305.
The article also requires every coastal State to promote the
establishment and maintenance of an adequate and effective rescue
service and -- where circumstances so require -- to cooperate with
neighboring States for this purpose through mutual regional regional
arrangements.
International Convention for Safety for Life at Sea, 1974
(32 UST 49, TIAS 9700)
Regulation 10 of Chapter V of the regulations annexed to this
Convention (TIAS 5780, p. 320) requires the master of a ship at sea, on
receiving a message from any source that a ship or aircraft or survival
craft thereof is in distress, to proceed with all speed to the
assistance of the persons in distress, informing them, if possible, that
he is doing so.
Regulation 15 of the same chapter requires each government party to
the Convention to make the necessary arrangements for coast watching and
rescue of persons in distress at sea and around its coasts. This should
include establishing, operating and maintaining of such maritime safety
facilities as are deemed practicable and necessary relative to the
density of the seagoing traffic and navigational dangers, and should, so