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Search and Rescue Act

Commencement: 9 May 1976

LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
REVISED EDITION 1988

CHAPTER 89

SEARCH AND RESCUE

JR 14 of 1975

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION

1. Interpretation
2. Establishment of air search service
3. Control or aircraft air search rescue
4. Control of marine air search service
5. Requisition of aircraft and ships
6. Expenses of search and rescue operations
7. Duty of persons to report accidents
8. Regulations
9. Offences and penalties
   

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SEARCH AND RESCUE

To provide for the organisation of search and rescue operations in Vanuatu and surrounding waters.

INTERPRETATION

1. In this Act -
   

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for home affairs.

ESTABLISHMENT OF AIR SEARCH SERVICE

2. From the date of commencement of this Act there shall be set up an emergency air search service headquarters at Bauerfield Airport, Port Vila, and a maritime aid headquarters at Port Vila.
   

CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT AIR SEARCH RESCUE

3. The Director of Civil Aviation under the authority of the Minister, shall direct the air search service emergency headquarters in case of aircraft accidents occurring within the territory of Vanuatu and surrounding waters. He shall be responsible for the organisation of search and rescue of human life. He shall co-ordinate all the departments taking part therein, and shall have authority, for this purpose, over the maritime aid headquarters.
   

CONTROL OF MARINE AIR SEARCH SERVICE

4. The Director of Ports and Marine, under the authority of the Minister, shall direct the maritime aid headquarters in case of maritime accidents occurring within the territory of Vanuatu and surrounding waters. He shall be responsible for the organisation of search and rescue of human life. He shall co-ordinate all the departments taking part therein, and shall have authority, for this purpose, over the air search service emergency headquarters.
   

REQUISITION OF AIRCRAFT AND SHIPS

5. The Director of Civil Aviation and the Director of Ports and Marine shall be entitled, if the means at their disposal prove insufficient to enable them to bring search and rescue operations to a successful conclusion, to requisition any crews, aircraft or ships the use of which they consider essential, on condition they inform the Minister of this without delay.
   

EXPENSES OF SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

6. Expenditure resulting from the exercise of the powers contained in section 5 shall be met out of Government funds.
   

DUTY OF PERSONS TO REPORT ACCIDENTS

7. Any person who witnesses an accident or who discovers the wreck of an aircraft or vessel shall forthwith inform the nearest administrative authority (whether District Commissioner, police, meteorological station or otherwise) and furthermore, if the accident has occurred at sea, the coastal stations or the Civil Aviation or Ports and Marine Department directly.
   

REGULATIONS

8. The Minister may by Order provide regulations for the general organisation of search and rescue of human lives in case of aircraft or marine accidents occurring within the territory of Vanuatu and surrounding waters.
   

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

9. Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or who obstructs or hinders the execution or implementation thereof commits an offence and shall be punishable upon conviction by a fine not exceeding VT100,000 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment.
   

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