New bill will establish search and rescue organisation

Call for comments on draft bill

SOUTH AFRICA: The Department of Transport (DoT) has published the draft Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Bill with provides for the establishment of the South African Search and Rescue Organisation (SASARO) and is inviting public comments.

The proposed new legislation will repeal the South African Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue Act to bring the regulation of search and rescue in line with the global developments with the objective of establishing an enabling environment for the efficient conduct of search and rescue. 

By bill provides clarity on the composition, membership, powers, functions of SASARO as well as the powers, functions, and appointment of members to the Executive Committee of SASARO. It also outlines the powers and functions of the management committee as well as the functions and duties of the Aeronautical and Maritime Subcommittees.

In addition, the bill further makes provisions on providing for personnel to perform search and rescue services. By designating search and rescue regions, the establishment and functions of rescue coordination centres and rescue subcentres.

In accordance with the new bill, the Minister will have the power to requisition aircraft and vessels for the provision of SAR services, and to instruct licensed personnel to provide search and rescue services.

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