Decision No. 103/2007/QD-TTg Issuing Regulations on Coordination for Search and Rescue at Sea

DECISION OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Issuing Regulations on Coordination for Search and Rescue at Sea

PRIME MINISTER

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

Pursuant to the Fisheries Law dated November 26, 2003; the Inland Waterway Transport Law dated June 15, 2004; the Vietnam Maritime Code dated June 14, 2005; the Civil Aviation Law dated July 12, 2006;

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

DECISION:

Article 1. These Regulations on Coordination for Search and Rescue at Sea are hereby promulgated together with this Decision.

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 3. The Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of agencies under the Government, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, and the Chairman of the National Committee for Search and Rescue are responsible for implementing this Decision.

REGULATIONS

Coordination for Search and Rescue at Sea

(Issued together with Decision No. 103/2007/QĐ-TTg dated July 12, 2007)

of the Prime Minister)

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation and applicable subjects

Article 1. These Regulations stipulate coordination in search and rescue activities at sea; responsibilities for coordinating search and rescue operations of the National Committee for Search and Rescue, relevant ministries and sectors, People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally governed cities, and organizations and individuals.

Article 2. These Regulations apply to Vietnamese organizations and individuals and foreign organizations and individuals related to search and rescue activities in the waters under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Where international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party provide different provisions than these Regulations, such treaty provisions shall be applied.

Article 2. Definitions

In these Regulations, the following terms are understood as follows:

Point 1. Marine vessels (hereinafter referred to as vessels) include merchant ships, military ships, public service ships, fishing boats, seaplanes, inland waterway vessels, and mobile and stationary objects on the sea.

Point 2. Vessel owner is an organization or individual owning the vessel.

Point 3. Search at sea is the use of forces, vessels, and equipment to determine the location of persons or vessels in distress.

Point 4. Rescue at sea includes actions to save people in danger from threats to their lives, including initial medical advice or other measures to bring the victims to safety.

Point 5. Salvage at sea involves activities to save vessels or property on vessels from danger or assistance activities (including towing) of vessels in danger at sea, carried out through the conclusion of a salvage contract between the organization or individual performing the salvage and the organization or individual requesting the salvage.

Point 6. Vessel towing involves towing, pushing, or standing by a vessel at sea and in port waters, carried out through the conclusion of a towing contract between the vessel owner and the party hiring the towing service.

Point 7. Emergency channel (also called emergency frequency) is a channel serving the transmission and reception of emergency and rescue information at sea according to the law and not used for other purposes.

Point 8. Marine search and rescue situation refers to incidents caused by natural disasters or accidents at sea that pose or actually threaten losses of life, vessels, property, material damage, environmental pollution, and destruction, necessitating timely and appropriate measures to minimize potential damage.

Point 9. Vietnam’s marine search and rescue area is the maritime zone under Vietnam’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, including internal waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Point 10. Restricted activity zone at sea is an area established by coordinates on nautical charts to protect the environment, salvage, search and rescue, or military exercises.

Point 11. Prohibited zone at sea is an area defined by coordinates on nautical charts to ensure defense, security tasks, prevent environmental disasters, and epidemics. The Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with relevant ministries and sectors, will specify the duration and specific scope of the prohibited zone, subject to approval by the Prime Minister.

Point 12. On-site Commander for Marine Search and Rescue Operations (hereinafter referred to as On-site Commander) is the person who coordinates joint search and rescue activities, maintains communication between the site and the leading search and rescue agency, and implements instructions from the leading search and rescue agency to carry out coordinated search and rescue activities at the site.

Point 13. Leading Marine Search and Rescue Agency is the agency or unit responsible for coordinating search and rescue activities in a designated sea area or region.

Point 14. Specialized Search and Rescue Unit is a unit comprising trained personnel equipped with suitable equipment for prompt search and rescue operations.

Point 15. Joint Search and Rescue Units at Sea are agencies or organizations required by the leading agency or authorized authority to mobilize forces and means under their control to participate in search and rescue operations.

Article 3. Principles of Coordination for Search and Rescue at Sea

Clause 1. To enhance the effectiveness of search and rescue operations at sea by combining all available resources, prioritizing activities to save lives and protect the environment.

Clause 2. To proactively develop plans to prepare forces for response operations based on the nature and characteristics of each incident.

Clause 3. To promptly collect and process distress reports, prioritizing information for response operations, and report to competent authorities in a timely manner when the situation exceeds the capacity of the rescue force.

Clause 4. To unify command, coordinate, and cooperate closely among forces and means participating in rescue operations when incidents occur.

Clause 5. To ensure the safety of persons and means participating in search and rescue operations.

Article 4. Forces and Means Participating in Search and Rescue at Sea

Forces and means mobilized to participate in search and rescue operations at sea include:

1. Specialized maritime search and rescue units, specialized or concurrent search and rescue units under ministries, sectors, organizations, and individuals.

2. Forces and means operating at sea belonging to organizations and individuals trained and educated to be mobilized to participate in maritime search and rescue operations, including vessels and crews that apply the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS 1974), as amended and supplemented in 2002, and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 78/95).

3. Other forces and means operating at sea.

4. Forces, means, and equipment ensuring communication, medical emergency services, and other guarantees for search and rescue operations.

Article 5. Zoning responsibility for leading maritime search and rescue operations

1. The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center leads and coordinates search and rescue activities within the search and rescue area in the Vietnamese jurisdictional waters; has the authority to mobilize people and means to participate in search and rescue operations; proposes the National Committee for Search and Rescue to mobilize forces and means of ministries, sectors, and localities to participate in search and rescue operations.

2. People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally governed cities lead in mobilizing local forces and means; request central agencies with forces and means stationed in their locality to organize search and rescue operations within their management areas; propose the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center to lead search and rescue operations when beyond the local capacity to respond; propose the National Committee for Search and Rescue to mobilize forces and means of other ministries, sectors, and localities to participate when necessary.

3. Relevant agencies in coastal provinces and centrally governed cities:

a) Port Authorities for Maritime and Inland Waterways lead in mobilizing forces and means of ports and existing means within their jurisdictional waters to rescue people and vessels in distress. Advise and assist the local People's Committee in using their own forces and means and those mobilized within their jurisdictional waters to participate in search and rescue operations;

b) Naval, Border Guard, Coast Guard, Waterway Traffic Police, Fisheries Surveillance, and related local forces have the responsibility to advise and assist the local People's Committee in using their own forces and means and those mobilized to participate in search and rescue operations.

4. Air navigation service providers lead and coordinate in searching for civil aircraft in distress over the sea according to the Civil Aviation Search and Rescue Regulations issued by the Ministry of Transport.

5. The Ministry of National Defense leads and coordinates search and rescue activities in prohibited areas at sea; directs its search and rescue units to cooperate with the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center responsible in the area to conduct search and rescue operations; mobilizes its forces and means to participate in search and rescue operations at sea upon the proposal of the National Committee for Search and Rescue or coastal provinces and centrally governed cities; leads and coordinates search and rescue operations for military aircraft in distress over the sea.

6. The National Committee for Search and Rescue leads and coordinates in mobilizing forces and means of ministries, sectors, and localities to participate in search and rescue operations in situations beyond the response capacity of provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees and the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center.

Chapter II

COOPERATION IN INFORMATION

DURING MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

Article 6. Marine search and rescue information system

1. Marine search and rescue information system.

a) The system of Vietnamese coastal radio stations including both terrestrial and satellite radio systems is the main force organizing 24-hour watch to receive and process distress information (in Vietnamese and English; in Vietnamese or English) and disseminate relevant maritime safety information related to distress situations;

b) The marine radar system of the naval forces on constant watch, as required by mission, detects and informs search and rescue agencies in the area about the location of people and vessels in distress at sea;

c) Other specialized information systems and various types of information from organizations and individuals operating at sea.

2. Air search and rescue information system.

Air navigation service providers and search and rescue service providers operate 24 hours a day to receive and process distress information (in Vietnamese and English; in Vietnamese or English) and inform search and rescue agencies about urgent situations involving aircraft operating at sea.

Article 7. Provisions on communication in maritime search and rescue

1. Use of watch channels (frequencies) and maritime communication and emergency frequencies via radio telecommunication shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Posts and Telecommunications Department.

2. Emergency messages must contain sufficient information to enable the leading search and rescue agency or vessels operating near the distressed area to understand the accident or incident situation to prepare support or search and rescue plans. Including:

a) Name of vessel, call sign, signal, position and time, weather conditions, wave height, wind speed at the distressed area;

b) Number of crew members and persons in danger;

c) General description of the accident or incident and type of accident or incident;

d) Requests for rescuing persons in danger or towing and salvaging vessels and other requirements (if any);

e) Frequency, communication equipment, and methods to establish contact with their own vessel, other communication methods (if any);

f) Name, address, and methods of contact with the vessel owner or representative of the vessel owner.

Article 8. Transmitting and receiving emergency signals

1. People and vessels in distress or at risk of distress at sea requiring assistance must transmit emergency signals as follows, except in cases of force majeure:

a) Notify the nearest coastal radio station or the search and rescue coordinating body and other vessels operating nearby about the search and rescue operations or assistance;

b) In cases where towing or salvage assistance is requested, in addition to the contents specified in Clause 2, Article 7 of this Regulation, it is necessary to provide additional technical specifications of the vessel requiring towing or salvage assistance such as: tonnage, length, width, draft;

c) Ensure continuous communication with persons, agencies, organizations that have been contacted to carry out search and rescue operations or assistance (through coastal radio stations or directly);

d) Report promptly according to the content required by competent authorities responsible for marine search and rescue operations and forces, vessels participating in search and rescue operations;

đ) In case the danger caused to people and vessels has been eliminated, immediately notify the persons, agencies, organizations that provided emergency information to stop the rescue operation;

2. The master of a vessel operating at sea shall be responsible for:

a) If discovering or receiving distress signals near the area of operation, they must take responsibility to assist those in distress if it does not affect the safety of their own personnel and vessel;

b) Within the possible scope, contact to understand the situation and agree on the method of maintaining communication with the distressed vessel; simultaneously report to the Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Center or the Search and Rescue Station responsible and related individuals and organizations about their participation in search and rescue operations;

c) In case they cannot participate in rescuing those in distress (due to loss of safety of their own personnel and vessel or performing another urgent task), they must inform the Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Center;

3. Organizations and individuals who discover or receive information about vessels or persons in distress must promptly notify the responsible agencies and forces to handle the situation. The person providing distress information must bear responsibility for the truthfulness of the distress information;

4. Vietnamese coastal radio stations, including terrestrial and satellite radio, operate 24/24 hours to receive distress information at sea and report to responsible agencies and organizations regarding search and rescue operations;

5. Competent authorities responsible for search and rescue organize 24/24 hour shifts to receive and process information, prepare plans, and conduct search and rescue operations;

Article 9. Broadcasting maritime information about persons or vessels in danger at sea

1. Maritime information about persons or vessels in danger at sea is broadcast by coastal radio stations on designated frequencies and methods;

2. The content of maritime warning information about search and rescue operations is decided by the Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Center;

3. Stopping the broadcasting of maritime information about search and rescue operations is decided by the agency requesting the broadcast or when the situation has been resolved;

Article 10. Broadcasting warnings and informing measures to prevent natural disasters and catastrophes at sea

1. Vietnamese coastal radio stations organize broadcasts to inform persons and vessels operating at sea to proactively take preventive measures against natural disasters and catastrophes in affected areas at sea:

a) Broadcast bulletins on tropical depressions and typhoons as prescribed in the Regulation on Tropical Depression, Typhoon, and Flood Reporting;

b) Broadcast information on earthquakes and tsunami warnings at sea as prescribed in the Regulation on Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Reporting;

c) Broadcast notifications on restricted activity zones at sea upon request of the authority establishing restricted activity zones at sea;

d) Broadcast measures to prevent natural disasters and catastrophes in affected areas upon request of the authority responsible for search and rescue;

đ) Stopping the broadcasting of warnings or informing measures to prevent natural disasters and catastrophes at sea is decided by the authority requesting the broadcast;

2. Mass media outlets broadcast warnings about natural disasters and catastrophes at sea as prescribed;

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF COORDINATED SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS AT SEA

Article 11. Coordinated search and rescue operations at the scene at sea

1. The master of a vessel operating at sea shall be responsible for:

a) Participate in rescuing persons in distress at sea when discovering or receiving distress signals near the area of operation, if it does not endanger their own personnel and vessel;

b) Participate in supporting and salvaging distressed vessels as prescribed;

c) Comply with orders to participate in search and rescue operations when mobilized by the competent authority responsible for marine search and rescue operations;

2. The master of a vessel participating in search and rescue operations shall be responsible for:

a) Within the possible scope, attempt to communicate with the distressed vessel to understand the situation, agree on the method and frequency of communication, and maintain communication with the distressed vessel while reporting to the search and rescue coordinating body and related organizations and individuals about their participation in search and rescue operations;

b) In case both parties have agreed on support, towing, salvage, or rescue measures without further assistance needed, report to the search and rescue coordinating body and request the distressed vessel to immediately notify the agencies, organizations, and persons who provided distress information to stop the support and rescue operations;

c) In case additional assistance is needed, report to the search and rescue coordinating body the necessary assistance requests and agree on the method and frequency of communication with that body;

d) The master of a vessel participating in search and rescue operations must perform tasks assigned by the On-Site Commander and have the responsibility to inform and report to the On-Site Commander;

3. On-Site Commander

a) In case there is only one vessel participating in search and rescue operations, the master of that vessel is the On-Site Commander. When two or more vessels are participating in search and rescue operations, the On-Site Commander will be designated by the search and rescue coordinating body.

When there are aircraft participating in coordinated search and rescue operations, the Joint On-Site Commander shall be responsible for the joint on-site command, which is under the responsibility of the On-Site Commander at sea.

b) The On-Site Commander shall be responsible for:

- Coordinating search and rescue activities at the scene between the vessels coming to search and rescue and the persons and vessels in distress, as well as with the Leading Authority for Search and Rescue;

- Maintaining communication between the vessels coming to search and rescue and the persons and vessels in distress, assigning specific tasks to each vessel participating in search and rescue activities, and regularly reporting the situation of implementing search and rescue tasks at the scene to the Leading Authority for Search and Rescue;

- Implementing guidance and requirements for search and rescue activities at the scene issued by the Leading Authority for Search and Rescue;

- Reporting and proposing to the Leading Authority for Search and Rescue to supplement, change the search and rescue operation plan to suit actual conditions, or to stop or terminate search and rescue operations at sea. Any changes to the search and rescue operation plan must be approved by the Leading Authority for Search and Rescue;

- In emergency situations where it is impossible to contact the Leading Authority for Search and Rescue, the Joint On-Site Commander may adjust the search and rescue action plan to suit the actual situation, and then report to the Leading Authority for Search and Rescue as soon as possible;

4. The Leading Authority for Search and Rescue shall be responsible for:

a) Organizing the collection of information about accidents and incidents to develop plans for organizing and mobilizing forces and means to respond promptly and effectively;

b) Cooperating with coastal radio stations in requesting maritime information broadcasts about people and vessels in danger at sea; stopping maritime information broadcasts about rescue and salvage once the urgent situation has been resolved; maintaining communication with the On-Site Commander, directing search and rescue activities;

c) Cooperating with the persons and vessels in distress, masters of vessels participating in search and rescue activities, and the On-Site Commander according to each situation and development of the incident to grasp, handle information, provide timely guidance and measures to support and rescue;

d) Directly mobilizing forces and means to participate in search and rescue activities when necessary; recommending higher authorities directly involved in search and rescue to mobilize forces and means to respond when beyond their capacity;

đ) Cooperating with other relevant agencies and organizations to carry out and resolve the aftermath of search and rescue operations;

5. Units participating in coordinated search and rescue operations shall be responsible for:

a) Complying with orders from competent authorities to mobilize forces and means to participate in search and rescue activities;

b) Cooperating with other search and rescue units in managing vessels participating in search and rescue activities at sea under the direction of the leading search and rescue unit. Promptly informing competent authorities of information related to search and rescue activities at sea;

6. Owners of vessels operating at sea shall be responsible for:

a) Strictly complying with orders from competent authorities to participate in search and rescue activities at sea;

b) Complying with orders from competent authorities regarding search and rescue to ensure the safety of lives of people and crew members at sea when towing or salvaging their own vessels;

7. Insurance companies that have sold insurance to vessels in distress at sea shall be responsible for:

a) Cooperating and providing documents, files, and information related to insured persons and vessels according to the content requested by competent authorities for search and rescue when conducting rescue operations and resolving incidents;

b) Complying with orders from competent authorities for search and rescue to ensure the safety of lives of people and crew members at sea when cooperating with vessel owners to tow or salvage their vessels;

Article 12. Cooperation in towing and salvaging distressed vessels at sea

1. Towing and salvaging distressed vessels at sea to escape danger shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Vietnam Maritime Code.

2. In cases where there is a risk of endangering people's safety during towing and salvaging, the master of the distressed vessel and the salvaging vessel must:

a) Notify the Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Center to monitor and develop timely rescue plans;

b) If the risk of endangerment has been eliminated, immediately notify the Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Center that had reported the danger to stop monitoring and rescuing;

3. In emergencies, the mobilization of specialized search and rescue vessels, military vessels, or public service vessels to participate in salvage operations shall be decided by the competent authority;

4. In cases where specialized search and rescue vessels, military vessels, or public service vessels have completed salvage operations, the owner or master of the vessel requesting salvage must:

a) Pay salvage costs in accordance with the provisions of the Vietnam Maritime Code;

b) Comply with decisions of the competent authority regarding administrative penalties for failing to purchase compulsory insurance for crew members and hulls as required by law;

Permission for vessels to resume operations can only be granted by the competent authority after all legal requirements for ensuring safety for people and vessels operating at sea have been met;

Article 13. Cooperation in using aircraft for search and rescue operations at sea

1. The National Committee for Search and Rescue shall be responsible for mobilizing search and rescue aircraft; determining or instructing the Vietnam Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Center to determine the search flight area; directing air navigation service providers to establish a search flight plan and notify the national air traffic control center of the search flight plan;

2. Air navigation service providers shall cooperate with the Vietnam Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Center to unify the search and rescue flight plan at sea.

3. Aircraft participating in search and rescue operations must report observation and search results to the air navigation service provider, the search and rescue service provider for aviation, and the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center.

4. The on-site command of maritime search and rescue operations shall be responsible for directing rescue operations by aircraft at the scene.

5. Upon request from the aviation service provider, the air navigation service provider may require civilian aircraft operating in the search and rescue area to participate in search and rescue operations.

6. Vietnamese aircraft participating in search and rescue operations outside Vietnam's designated search and rescue responsibility area, or foreign aircraft participating in search and rescue operations within Vietnam's designated search and rescue responsibility area, shall act in accordance with the bilateral agreement on search and rescue between the two countries.

Article 14. Cooperation in search and rescue of aircraft in distress at sea

1. In cases where civil aircraft are in danger or have met with an accident at sea, the air navigation service provider must:

a) Report to the Flood Control and Search and Rescue Steering Committee of the Ministry of Transport while also reporting to the National Search and Rescue Committee to seek guidance;

b) Coordinate with the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center to unify the cooperation plan among air and maritime search and rescue forces and means;

c) Coordinate with local People's Committees, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals to organize the search and rescue of aircraft in distress according to signed contracts.

2. The National Search and Rescue Committee shall direct and mobilize aircraft to participate in search and rescue operations in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 13 of this Regulation and mobilize other forces to participate in search and rescue activities as required by each incident.

Article 15. Cooperation in search and rescue within the common responsibility zone and boundary areas for search and rescue at sea between Vietnam and another country

1. The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center and the aviation service providers, aviation search and rescue service providers shall establish direct communication channels with the corresponding search and rescue centers of the countries involved in coordination for:

a) Exchanging information about search and rescue situations: situation, number of people, means affected; forces and means of each country participating in search and rescue;

b) Determining responsibilities, dividing search and rescue areas for each side; contents of coordination; frequency and methods of communication for search and rescue forces;

c) Organizing search and rescue operations within the assigned areas.

2. If necessary, the National Search and Rescue Committee shall coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and through the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center request the rescue center of the country sharing the boundary to allow Vietnamese forces and means to enter and cooperate in search and rescue operations in that country's territorial waters to save people and means in distress.

Article 16. Cooperation with foreign search and rescue personnel and means participating in search and rescue operations in Vietnam's territorial waters

1. In cases where there is a request from the authorized rescue agency of another country to bring foreign search and rescue personnel and means into Vietnam's territorial waters to participate in search and rescue operations, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center shall report to the National Search and Rescue Committee to coordinate with relevant agencies and units regarding the issuance of permits.

The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center is the focal point for coordinating search and rescue operations at sea, informing about specific requirements and conditions according to Vietnamese regulations and methods of cooperation with Vietnamese search and rescue forces when conducting search and rescue operations in Vietnam's territorial waters.

2. Foreign search and rescue personnel and means participating in search and rescue operations in Vietnam's territorial waters must:

a) Be subject to supervision for compliance with Vietnamese regulations and have the responsibility to promptly provide information and reports as required by Vietnamese authorities;

b) Carry out search and rescue tasks under the general coordination of the Vietnamese search and rescue commander at the scene and the authorized Vietnamese search and rescue agency.

Chapter IV

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR COOPERATION IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

AT SEA OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

Article 17. Responsibilities of the National Search and Rescue Committee

1. To take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors in developing national plans for search and rescue at sea, building cooperation plans for search and rescue in anticipated scenarios, and submitting them for approval by competent authorities.

2. To mobilize and organize the coordination of forces and means of ministries, sectors, localities, organizations, and individuals to respond promptly when incidents occur.

3. To take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relevant ministries and sectors in issuing permits and coordinating with foreign forces and means to carry out search and rescue operations in Vietnam's territorial waters.

4. In cases where it is necessary to send Vietnamese forces and means to conduct search and rescue operations in another country's territorial waters, the National Search and Rescue Committee shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to request permission from that country and coordinate to promptly search and rescue those in distress at sea.

5. To regularly compile and report to the Prime Minister on the activities of search and rescue cooperation of forces belonging to ministries, sectors, and localities, and to report urgently when incidents occur.

Article 18. Responsibilities of the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Typhoon Prevention

1. To direct measures to prevent typhoons and tropical depressions at sea.

2. To coordinate with the National Search and Rescue Committee in developing plans to mobilize forces and means for search and rescue when people and means are affected by typhoons and tropical depressions at sea.

Article 19. Responsibilities of the Ministry of National Defense

1. Coordinate and unify with the National Committee for Search and Rescue to develop and implement plans combining the use of naval, air force, border guard, maritime police, and other military forces in carrying out the tasks of the Ministry of National Defense, in conjunction with being on standby and participating in search and rescue operations within their operational areas at sea.

2. Mobilize military forces and means to participate in search and rescue operations at sea when there are situations and upon the request of the National Committee for Search and Rescue, provincial people's committees along the coast directly under the central government.

3. Unify with the National Committee for Search and Rescue, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in issuing permits and coordinating with foreign forces and means to carry out search and rescue operations in Vietnam’s territorial waters.

4. Provide information and report to the National Committee for Search and Rescue on the activities of defense forces in search and rescue operations at sea as prescribed.

Article 20. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Transport

1. Coordinate with the National Committee for Search and Rescue and coastal provincial people's committees to develop and implement plans combining the use of maritime, aviation, inland waterway forces within the Ministry in performing their own tasks while being ready to participate in search and rescue operations at sea and along the coast.

2. Coordinate with the National Committee for Search and Rescue to direct the maritime and aviation search and rescue systems to organize well the coordination of search and rescue operations at sea as prescribed.

3. Direct agencies and units under the Ministry to mobilize their forces and means to participate in search and rescue operations at sea when there are situations and upon the request of the competent authority for search and rescue.

4. Unify with the National Committee for Search and Rescue, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to direct the maritime and aviation sectors in issuing permits and coordinating with foreign forces and means to carry out search and rescue operations in Vietnam’s territorial waters.

5. Announce frequencies (channels) for continuous watch, emergency and urgent services of the Vietnam Coastal Radio Station system, methods of communication with search and rescue centers and stations for vessels operating at sea, relevant organizations, individuals to inform and coordinate search and rescue operations at sea.

6. Provide information and report to the National Committee for Search and Rescue on the activities of the Ministry's forces and means in search and rescue operations at sea as prescribed.

Article 21. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Fisheries

1. Coordinate with the National Committee for Search and Rescue and related ministries and sectors to develop plans and organize the implementation of search and rescue operations for fishers and fishing vessels at sea according to various scenarios.

2. Take the lead and coordinate with the National Committee for Search and Rescue, related ministries and sectors, and coastal provincial people's committees to implement plans combining fishers' group fishing activities with being on standby and ready to assist each other in search and rescue operations when accidents or incidents occur.

3. Direct agencies and units under the Ministry to mobilize specialized fisheries forces and means to participate in search and rescue operations at sea when there are situations and upon the request of the competent authority for search and rescue.

4. Issue industry standards for communication equipment for distant-sea fishing vessels capable of communicating with coastal radio stations as prescribed.

5. Provide information and report to the National Committee for Search and Rescue on the Ministry's activities in search and rescue operations at sea as prescribed.

Article 22. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

1. Direct agencies and units under the Ministry to monitor and broadcast information about tropical depressions, typhoons, earthquake information, tsunami warnings at sea as prescribed.

2. Direct agencies and units under the Ministry to provide timely weather, hydro-meteorological, earthquake, and tsunami warning information to serve search and rescue operations at sea as requested by the competent authority for search and rescue.

Article 23. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications

1. Lead and coordinate with related ministries and sectors to unify regulations on frequencies for continuous watch, emergency and urgent services, and wireless communication information; prioritize ensuring communication services for directing and managing search and rescue operations at sea.

2. Direct agencies and units under the Ministry and postal and telecommunications enterprises to mobilize the industry's forces to ensure communication services for directing and managing search and rescue operations at sea as requested by the competent authority for search and rescue.

Article 24. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Health

1. Coordinate with the National Committee for Search and Rescue and related ministries and sectors to develop plans and positions of medical facilities to organize emergency care for victims of accidents at sea in various scenarios, ensuring promptness and effectiveness.

2. Direct medical forces to cooperate with the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center and regional maritime search and rescue coordination centers to guide remote first aid for victims at sea who need medical assistance.

3. Direct medical forces to participate in providing emergency care for victims of accidents at sea as requested by the competent authority for search and rescue.

Article 25. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Direct agencies under the Ministry, diplomatic missions, and consular offices of Vietnam abroad to cooperate with countries and international organizations in search and rescue operations for Vietnamese organizations and individuals' persons and means encountering accidents or incidents outside Vietnam's territorial waters including maritime and air search and rescue zones.

2. Coordinate with the National Committee for Search and Rescue and relevant ministries and sectors through diplomatic channels to request foreign authorities to assist in organizing search and rescue operations for Vietnamese persons and means involved in accidents or incidents; simultaneously support rescuing people and means, handle necessary procedures, and resolve other issues arising to bring people and means back to Vietnam.

3. Coordinate with the National Committee for Search and Rescue and relevant ministries and sectors to handle diplomatic procedures when necessary in cases involving the search and rescue of foreign persons and vessels in Vietnamese waters.

Article 26. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment

Coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors and coastal provincial people's committees to ensure the budget for marine search and rescue activities as prescribed, aiming to minimize potential losses; inspect the management and use of allocated financial resources.

Article 27. Responsibilities of other ministries and sectors

1. Direct agencies and units under their ministries and sectors that have capable forces and equipment suitable for marine search and rescue to report to the National Committee for Search and Rescue for research and inclusion in the national plan for the use of forces and equipment in marine search and rescue operations.

2. Direct agencies and units under their ministries and sectors to promptly organize their own forces and equipment to participate in marine search and rescue operations when mobilized by the National Committee for Search and Rescue and competent authorities.

Article 28. Responsibilities of coastal provincial people's committees

1. Develop plans for mobilizing local forces and equipment, as well as those of central agencies operating in the locality, to participate in search and rescue operations in coastal areas within their jurisdiction.

2. Take the lead and coordinate local forces and equipment, as well as those of central agencies located in the locality, to participate in search and rescue activities in coastal areas within their jurisdiction.

3. Notify the Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Center to dispatch additional maritime search and rescue vessels when needed.

4. Propose to the National Committee for Search and Rescue to mobilize forces and equipment from other ministries, sectors, and localities to cooperate in search and rescue operations when the situation exceeds the capacity of coastal provincial people's committees to respond.

Article 29. Responsibilities of organizations and individuals with vessels operating at sea

1. Comply with orders from competent authorities to mobilize their vessels for participation in marine search and rescue operations.

2. Cooperate and provide full information and reports as required by the leading agency for search and rescue to conduct and resolve search and rescue incidents involving their personnel and vessels.

3. Organizations and individuals with vessels and crews meeting conditions and willing to stand ready and participate in marine search and rescue operations as part of the national plan for marine search and rescue shall report to the National Committee for Search and Rescue for consideration of their participation in the plan and mobilization when necessary.

Chapter V
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 30. Awards

Organizations and individuals who achieve outstanding results in implementing this Regulation on coordination for marine search and rescue will be rewarded according to the law.

Article 31. Handling of violations

Organizations and individuals failing to fulfill the responsibilities stipulated in this Regulation will be subject to disciplinary action, administrative penalties, or criminal prosecution depending on the nature and severity of the violation as provided by law.

Article 32. Implementation

The National Committee for Search and Rescue, ministries and sectors, provincial people's committees, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing and organizing the execution of this Regulation.

During implementation, the National Committee for Search and Rescue shall promptly propose issues arising that require amendments and supplements and report to the Prime Minister for review and decision.