THE CONFERENCE,

HAVING ADOPTED the amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS Convention), concerning radiocommunications for the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS),

NOTING that the Conference resolution recommending the early introduction of GMDSS elements refers inter alia to satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacons (satellite EPIRBs),

NOTING FURTHER that the COSPAS-SARSAT system allows the use of different protocols for coding satellite EPIRBs and that, in particular, identification can be achieved either by a serial number or by using identification in the maritime mobile service as defined by the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),

BEING OF THE OPINION that positive and reliable identification of ships in distress makes a decisive contribution to the effective conduct of search and rescue operations,

1. INVITES the Maritime Safety Committee to undertake the study of this matter both on operational and technical levels and to take measures to ensure that the protocol used for coding EPIRBs makes it possible to identify ships in distress with the greatest possible certainty;

2. INVITES the COSP AS-SARSA T Council to study the matter urgently in consultation with ITU with respect to CCIR recommendations and to assist the Maritime Safety Committee in making its decision.