During IMO’s Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR), 7th session, which took place from January 13-24, the attendees focused on several shipping matters, also approving guidance for SAR services regarding aircraft autonomous distress tracking.
Specifically, the Sub-Committee gave the green light to interim guidance concerning search and rescue services concerning the implementation of autonomous distress tracking of aircraft in flight, for dissemination as a COMSAR circular.
The guidance, which will come into force by January 1, 2021, will provide basic knowledge on Autonomous Distress Tracking (ADT), which is used to provide notification and location of an aircraft in distress.
In the meantime, the 7th session of IMO’s NCSR focused on key points that concern the shipping industry, such as finalizing the draft amendments on the modernization of the global maritime distress and safety system, as well as proceeding to amendments on ships’ routeing measures.