Decision No. 06/2009/QD-TTg Approves the Plan to Implement the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1979 (SAR 79 Convention)

Pursuant to …;

Approving the Plan to Implement the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1979 (SAR 79 Convention)

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PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Law on Ratification, Accession and Implementation of International Treaties dated June 14, 2005;

Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the National Committee for Search and Rescue,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Plan to Implement the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1979 (hereinafter referred to as the SAR 79 Convention) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with the main contents as follows:

I. OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. The purpose of the Plan to Implement the SAR 79 Convention (hereinafter referred to as the Plan) is to fulfill the obligations of a State Party to the SAR 79 Convention through the development and implementation of search and rescue activities by establishing a common plan to promptly organize search and rescue operations for persons in distress at sea; promoting cooperation among organizations and forces participating in maritime search and rescue operations.

2. The requirements of the Plan are to establish a system, define the search and rescue responsibility zones at sea of Vietnam, organize and ensure prompt application of measures for search and rescue, provide necessary support services to persons in distress or potentially in danger when receiving information about distress within the search and rescue responsibility zone at sea of Vietnam; enhance international cooperation to improve the capacity for directing, managing, coordinating search and rescue operations, contributing to protecting sovereignty and sovereign rights over the sea of Vietnam.

II. TASKS

1. To develop and perfect the legal framework, regulatory documents to meet the provisions of the SAR 79 Convention.

2. To promote awareness, guide, and inspect the implementation of regulations on ensuring safety, search and rescue at sea to meet the provisions of the SAR 79 Convention.

3. To build and improve the system for directing and managing, ensuring communication and enhancing the capacity of maritime search and rescue forces to meet the requirements of the SAR 79 Convention.

4. To study and develop rescue services, support services, and environmental protection services to promptly assist persons, vessels in distress or at risk of distress within the search and rescue responsibility zone at sea of Vietnam as stipulated by the SAR 79 Convention.

5. To cooperate and coordinate internationally to enhance the effectiveness of search and rescue operations within the search and rescue responsibility zone at sea of Vietnam as stipulated by the SAR 79 Convention.

III. CONTENT OF THE PLAN

The tasks, programs, projects; the leading agency, the coordinating agencies; the time frame for the Plan from 2009 to 2015 are specified in the Appendix "List of Tasks, Programs, Projects" issued together with this Decision.

Article 2. Responsibilities of related agencies and implementing organizations

1. The National Committee for Search and Rescue is the leading agency responsible for implementing the Plan, with the responsibilities of:

a) Leading and coordinating with the Ministries of Transport, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Information and Communications, and other relevant ministries, provincial people's committees under central cities to organize the implementation of the Plan to implement the SAR 79 Convention.

b) Summarizing and reporting to the Prime Minister on the implementation status of the Plan before January 25 each year and proposing necessary solutions to effectively implement the SAR 79 Convention; summarizing the implementation status of the Plan for the period 2009-2010 and concluding for the period 2009-2015, reporting to the Prime Minister.

c) Agreeing with the Ministry of Transport to establish a Secretariat (a standing body) to implement the Plan to implement the SAR 79 Convention at the Office of the National Committee for Search and Rescue to advise the leadership of the National Committee for Search and Rescue in performing its tasks.

2. The Ministry of Transport is the lead agency in relations with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with the responsibility of:

a) Notifying the Secretary-General of IMO about: the agency responsible for search and rescue; the search and rescue responsibility zones at sea of Vietnam; the locations of Search and Rescue Coordination Centers and Search and Rescue Sub-Centers; the search and rescue information system; basic forms of search and rescue units; the implementation status of the SAR 79 Convention in Vietnam.

b) Leading the establishment and submission to the Prime Minister for approval of the Working Group to research, propose solutions, and organize negotiations regarding the search and rescue responsibility zones at sea of Vietnam.

c) Leading and coordinating with the National Committee for Search and Rescue, relevant ministries and sectors to study Vietnam's participation opinions on proposals to amend the content of the SAR 79 Convention by member states or the Secretary-General of IMO, submitting to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

d) Updating IMO-related documents and information on the implementation of the SAR 79 Convention to provide to the National Committee for Search and Rescue, relevant ministries and sectors, organizations, and individuals in Vietnam.

d) Cooperating internationally to seek support and assistance from IMO in training, improving management, operational capabilities, and conducting search and rescue operations, as well as financial support for Vietnam.

3. Relevant ministries and sectors, coastal provincial people's committees according to their jurisdiction have the responsibility of:

a) Developing and implementing the assigned contents of the Plan for the entire period from 2009 to 2015 as prescribed.

b) Reviewing and supplementing contents in accordance with the SAR 79 Convention and IMO standards and guidelines on air and maritime search and rescue during the implementation of programs and projects prescribed in Article 2, which are being assigned by the Prime Minister to relevant ministries and sectors.

c) Reporting the results of the assigned implementation content to the National Committee for Search and Rescue for summary and reporting to the Prime Minister as prescribed.

4. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance will balance and allocate funds from the state budget and other sources annually, for the periods 2009-2010 and 2011-2015; studying additional funding for tasks in the Plan that have not yet been funded as prescribed.

5. During the implementation of the Plan, the National Committee for Search and Rescue, the Ministry of Transport, and related ministries and agencies, as well as the People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally governed cities must closely coordinate to organize its execution; if there are any difficulties or issues arising, they must promptly report to the Prime Minister for decision.

Article 3. 1. The funding for determining the degree of disability and issuing the Disability Confirmation Certificate is allocated in the annual budget estimate of the commune in accordance with the State Budget Law and guiding documents.

Based on the tasks assigned in this Decision, the National Committee for Search and Rescue, relevant ministries and agencies, and the People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally governed cities shall establish and approve tasks, programs, projects, and plans to prepare budgets for implementing the Plan in accordance with investment management regulations, construction regulations, and provisions of the State Budget Law.

Article 4. Implementation Provisions

1. This Decision shall take effect 45 days from the date of issuance.

2. The Chairman of the National Committee for Search and Rescue, the Ministers of Transport, Defense, Foreign Affairs, Information and Communications, Agriculture and Rural Development, related ministries and agencies, and the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities are responsible for enforcing this Decision./.