1.3 The terms listed below are used in the annex with the following meanings:

1. Search: An operation, normally co-ordinated by a rescue coordination centre or rescue sub-centre, using available personnel and facilities to locate persons in distress;

2. Rescue: An operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs, and deliver them to a place of safety;

3. Search and rescue service: The performance of distress monitoring, communication, co-ordination and search and rescue functions, including provision of medical advice, initial medical assistance, or medical evacuation, through the use of public and private resources including co-operating aircraft, vessels and other craft and installations;

4. Search and rescue region: An area of defined dimensions associated with a rescue co-ordination cente within which search and rescue services are provided;

5. Rescue co-ordination centre: A unit responsible for promoting efficient organization of search and rescue services and for coordinating the conduct ofsearch and rescue operations within a search and rescue region;

6. Rescue sub-centre: A unit subordinate to a rescue co-ordination centre established to complement the latter according to particular provisions of the responsible authorities;

7. Search and rescue facility: Any mobile resource, including designated search and rescue units, used to conduct search and rescue operations;

8. Search and rescue unit: A unit composed of trained personnel and provided with equipment suitable for the expeditious conduct of search and rescue operations;

9. Alerting post: Any facility intended to serve as an intermediary between a person reporting an emergency and a rescue coordination centre or rescue sub-centre;

10. Emergency phase: A generic term meaning, as the case may be, uncertainty phase, alert phase or distress phase;

11. Uncertainty phase: A situation wherein uncertainty exists as to the safety of a person, a vessel or other craft;

12. Alert phase: A situation wherein apprehension exists as to the safety of a person, a vessel or other craft:

13. Distress phase: A situation wherein there is a reasonable certainty that a person, a vessel or other craft is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance;

14. On-scene co-ordinator: A person designated to co-ordinate search and rescue operations within a specified area;

SAR Convention (1979) : http://www.imo.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/Maritime-Safety-Committee-(MSC)/Documents/MSC.70(69).pdf