The duty to render assistance to vessels and persons in distress at sea is a well-established principle of international maritime law (Article 98 of UNCLOS) and SOLAS regulation V/7 requires Governments to ensure that any necessary arrangements are made for distress communication and co-ordination in their area of responsibility and for the rescue of persons in distress at sea round their coasts. These arrangements shall include the establishment, operation and maintenance of such search and rescue facilities as are deemed practicable and necessary, having regard to the density of the seagoing traffic and the navigational dangers and shall, so far as possible, provide adequate means of locating and rescuing such persons.
