Search and Rescue (SAR) (SAR)

The coordinated use of personnel and facilities to locate people in distress, assist them and deliver them to a place of safety.

Maritime SAR is organised through rescue coordination centres and sub-centres within agreed search-and-rescue regions and can involve coastguards, ships, aircraft, lifeboats, emergency services and other resources. The 1979 SAR Convention provides an international framework for cooperation between states.

An operation can include alerting, uncertainty and distress phases, search planning, on-scene coordination, rescue, medical support and transfer. Calling for help early with accurate position, identity, persons and nature of distress improves coordination, but response time and available assets depend on location and conditions.