Council Recommendation

of 25 July 1983

on the ratification of or accession to the 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR)

(83/419/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Whereas on 27 April 1979 an International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue was approved in Hamburg under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO);

Whereas, in view of the great importance of the said Convention with regard to the search for and rescue of persons in distress at sea, the Convention should enter into force as soon as possible;

Whereas ratification or accession by all the Member States will not only help to bring the Convention into force in accordance with the principles of international law but will also ensure a unified search and rescue service in the coastal waters of the Community and thereby increase the effectiveness of the Convention,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS:

that inasmuch as they have not already done so, the Member States ratify or accede to the 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue as soon as they can.

Done at Brussels, 25 July 1983.

For the Council

The President

C. Simitis

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