Search and Rescue at Sea: Do New Challenges Require New Rules?

Search and rescue (SAR) at sea has been always carried out under principles of the customary law of the sea obliging vessels and states to help persons whose ships are in distress at sea. International treaties define more detailed conditions and obligations to provide adequate SAR. The rationale of all these principles and rules, as well as of the associated duties affecting the obliged persons/states to carry out and organize SAR activities, was that of increasing safety at sea and taking care of seafarers and fishermen (or passengers on board vessels) who were at sea mainly for the purpose of work.