Marine Advisory: 37/2025 - Amendments to IAMSAR Manual

01 December 2025

Marine Advisory: 37/2025

SUBJECT: Amendments to IAMSAR Manual

Dear Shipowners/Operators/Masters:

The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to remind Shipowners, Operators and Masters that ships shall carry an up-to-date hard copy format of Volume III of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual.

Please note that Maritime Safety Committee with MSC.1/Circular 1686 introduced the following amendment which become applicable on 1 January 2026:

• Updates to Volume III related to the 2024 updates to SOLAS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) regulations.
• Three new Appendices:
  1. Appendix P (Volume I): Sample memorandum of understanding between the SAR service and the accident investigation authority
  2. Appendix Q (Volume I): Sample process for expeditious approval to allow SAR units from an assisting State to enter into the territory of the State of the RCC (Rescue Coordination Centre).
  3. Appendix W (Volume II): Night search by Aircraft using Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) equipment and/or Night Vision Devices (NVDs).
• Enhanced Guidance on Night Search Operations with the introduction of operational guidance for the use of EO/IR systems and NVDs, including a new Appendix W providing detailed guidance for Rescue Coordinator Centers staff.
• New Section on Offshore Wind Farms with the addition of Section 6.15 (Volume II), covering SAR considerations for offshore wind and renewable energy installations, including coordination procedures, hazards, and communication protocols.
• Expanded guidance on access to and use of flight tracking systems and applications to support situational awareness and search planning.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the Regulations and Standards Department at RegsAndStandards@liscr.com.

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