IMO MSC 111 closes with a full slate of SAR-relevant decisions

The 111th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee concluded in London last Friday after ten days of work at 4 Albert Embankment. For maritime SAR administrators and RCC staff, the session produced confirmed decisions across communications, life-saving appliances, autonomous vessel operations, and the long-range identification framework that will shape national implementation obligations for years ahead.

VDES is now formally in the SOLAS framework

MSC 111 adopted amendments to SOLAS regulations V/18 and V/19, along with consequential amendments to the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes, formally introducing the VHF Data Exchange System into the IMO regulatory framework. The amendments enter into force on 1 January 2028. MSC also adopted a resolution on VDES performance standards for shipborne equipment and approved a circular on guidelines for operational use.

VDES matters to SAR coordinators because it replaces legacy AIS data rates with a digital, two-way IP-capable link over dedicated VHF spectrum. For RCCs, the practical shift is gradual: uptake is initially voluntary, so the transition period will produce an environment where some vessels carry VDES capability and most don't. Communications plans and SAR incident procedures should account for that asymmetry well before 2028.

GMDSS obligations expanded to all recognised mobile satellite services

MSC 111 adopted amendments to SOLAS regulations IV/5, V/4, and V/5 requiring coastal states to disseminate Maritime Safety Information and SAR-related information through all operational Recognised Mobile Satellite Services, not just Inmarsat. These enter into force on 1 January 2028. The revised MSC.509(105)/Rev.2 on provision of radio services for the GMDSS was also adopted, including a new Annex 6 on criteria for international enhanced group call service within the GMDSS framework.

For national maritime authorities and RCC administrators, the compliance window closes faster than it looks. Standing up multi-RMSS MSI capability requires procurement, coordination with providers including Iridium Fleet Safety, and updates to national GMDSS plans. Two years is not a long runway when contracting cycles and administration review processes are included.

The non-mandatory MASS Code is now in effect

MSC 111 finalised and adopted the non-mandatory International Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, with an entry into effect date of 1 July 2026. The code establishes a baseline global regulatory framework for the safe, secure, and environmentally sound operation of MASS, and is explicitly technology-neutral to allow commercial innovation. A mandatory version remains on the roadmap, with a target entry-into-force date of 1 January 2032, though discussions at MSC 111 acknowledged that 2036 may be more realistic, with the existing date retained for now pending further review.

For SAR services, the MASS Code's Chapter 18 position confirmed at NCSR 12 remains in force: SAR services are not required to search for autonomous craft with no persons on board, and distress beacons should not be used to alert for such craft. The MASS Code also confirmed that when crew or persons are on board, the master must be physically present on the vessel. RCCs operating in waters where MASS trials are active, or will be under the experience building phase that MSC 112 will advance, should ensure their coordination agreements and standing operating procedures already reflect these positions.

IAMSAR Manual: DSC distress alert procedures updated

MSC 111 approved a revision of MSC.1/Circ.1657 on procedures for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships (Rev.1), aligning the circular with ITU-R Recommendation M.541-11 on operational procedures for DSC equipment and M.585-9 on assignment and use of maritime mobile service identities. The revised circular is effective immediately.

This is a direct and operational update. RCC staff and maritime SAR coordinators who train on or reference MSC.1/Circ.1657 should pull the revised version now.

Free-fall lifeboat release systems: new safety requirements

MSC 111 adopted a new paragraph 4.7.7 of the LSA Code requiring that arrangements for testing free-fall lifeboat release systems under load, without launching the lifeboat, be designed with a safety factor of at least 6 based on maximum working load. Components exposed to the marine environment must be corrosion-resistant without coatings or galvanising. Consequential amendments were also adopted to resolution MSC.402(96) and MSC.81(70), with entry into force on 1 January 2028 for those amendments, applying to free-fall lifeboats installed on or after 1 January 2031.

For SAR units operating vessels with free-fall lifeboat systems, the 2031 installation date gives operational planning time, but procurement and design decisions for new vessels are already being made against this standard.

LRIT: free-of-charge coastal state access approved in draft

MSC 111 approved draft amendments to SOLAS regulation V/19-1 introducing a free-of-charge policy for provision of Long-Range Identification and Tracking data to entitled coastal states, with an expected entry-into-force date of 1 January 2032 if adopted at MSC 112. Consequential revisions to the LRIT performance standards resolution (MSC.263(84)/Rev.1) were also approved in principle for adoption at MSC 112.

For coastal states that currently pay for LRIT data access, this removes a funding barrier that has limited LRIT access. RCCs that use LRIT for maritime domain awareness and SAR planning should track this through the MSC 112 adoption cycle.

What NCSR 13 inherits

NCSR 13 picks up several open items from NCSR 12 that didn't reach resolution before MSC 111. The IP-based data distribution framework for S-100 navigational products, GNSS augmentation system performance standards, and the IMO/ITU Joint Working Group's position development for WRC-27, particularly frequency protection for maritime safety services in the VHF maritime mobile band, remain active work items. Maritime SAR administrators with responsibilities for NAVDAT implementation or MSI broadcast infrastructure should monitor the NCSR 13 agenda as it firms up.

References

Lloyd's Register. (2026, May). IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111): Summary report Rev.1. Lloyd's Register Regulatory Affairs.
https://www.lr.org/en/knowledge/regulatory-updates/imo-meetings-and-future-legislation/msc-111-summary-report/

International Maritime Organization. (2026, May 12). Preview: Maritime Safety Committee, 111th session (MSC 111), 13-22 May 2026. IMO. https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/meetingsummaries/pages/preview-msc-111.aspx

Liberia International Ship and Corporate Registry. (2025, June 3). IMO NCSR 12 meeting summary. LISCR. https://www.liscr.com/marketing/liscr/media/liscr/online%20library/maritime/ncsr-12-meeting-summary.pdf

Safety4Sea. (2025, May 22). IMO NCSR 12: Key outcomes. https://safety4sea.com/imo-ncsr-12-key-outcomes/