C/S G.003 - INTRODUCTION TO THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM Issue 7

 “The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme provides accurate, timely and reliable distress alert and location data to help search and rescue authorities assist persons in distress.”[1]

 As stated in the dedication of the ICSPA, this data is provided on a non-discriminatory basis:

·         It is generated in response to the detection of any beacon, regardless of the country of the person who owns or operates the distress beacon.

·         It is distributed, based on the location and the country of registration of the beacon, to the SAR authorities of the appropriate State(s), regardless of whether they have associated themselves with the Programme.