Marine Advisory: 20/2026 - Unsafe Mixed Migration and Guidance on Rescue at Sea

25 August 2026

Marine Advisory: 20/2026

SUBJECT: Unsafe Mixed Migration and Guidance on Rescue at Sea

References: a) Rescue at Sea: A Guide to Principles and Practice in the Context of Refugees and Migrants Movements

1. IMO Res. MSC.167(78) - Guidelines on the Treatment of People Rescued at

Sea

1. IMO Res. MSC.528(106) on Recommended Cooperation to ensure the Safety of Life at Sea, the Rescue of Persons in Distress at Sea and the Safe Disembarkation of Survivors

Dear Owners/Operators/Masters/Crew/Insurance Providers:

Purpose

The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to provide guidance to owners, operators, masters and crew of merchant ships involved in the rescue of migrants at sea.

Background

The International Maritime Organization (“IMO”) has called for greater focus to be placed on addressing unsafe migration by sea through more safe and regular migration pathways, so that fewer lives are lost due to large numbers of people traveling in overcrowded and unseaworthy ships.

In order to address the safety of life at sea and search and rescue issues arising from unsafe migration by sea, IMO has been working with its partner organizations in the UN system as well as other international bodies to develop and update guidance for shipmasters and Governments. An information sharing platform has been established. The IMO urges concerted action by the international community to tackle unsafe, mixed migration by sea, in the Mediterranean and other sea areas and has been actively addressing the issue at its own Committee meetings as well as through joint meetings on the matter with UN partners and other relevant international organizations.

Recommendation

The IMO along with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR”) and the International Chamber of Shipping (“ICS”) jointly prepared ‘Rescue at Sea: A Guide to Principles and Practice in the Context of Refugees and Migrants Movements’ (“Guide”), intended for ship owners, masters, Government authorities, insurance companies, and other interested parties involved in rescues-at-sea. The Guide details relevant legal provisions, practical procedures

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to ensure the prompt disembarkation of rescued persons, and measures to meet their specific needs, particularly in the case of refugees and asylum seekers.

If you have any questions, please contact our Maritime Labor Department by Telephone: +1-703790-3434 or by email to MLC@liscr.com.

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