DECISIONS No. 780/1996/TTg OF OCTOBER 23, 1996 OF THE PRIME MINISTER ON SETTING UP THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR AIR AND SEA SEARCH AND RESCUE.

 -----------------------------

THE PRIME MINISTER

          Pursuant to the Law on organization of the Government of September 30, 1992;

Pursuant to the Vietnam Maritime Code of June 30, 1990, the Law on Vietnam Civil Aviation of December 26, 1991 and the Law on Amendments and Supplements to a Number of Articles of the Law on Vietnam Civil Aviation of April 20, 1995;

          For the prompt and effective search and rescue of people and means (aircraft, ships, boats, oil-gas facilities ) meeting with accidents in the air and on the sea,

DECIDES:

            Article 1: To set up the National Committee for Air and Sea Search and Rescue, or the National Committee for Search and Rescue for short.

          The National Committee for Search and Rescue has its own seal bearing the national emblem, and its own account at the State Treasury. The fund for the operation of the Committee and the organizations specializing in search and rescue shall be allocated from the State budget and other sources. The standing body of the National Committee for Search and Rescue is located at the Office of the Ministry of National Defense and composed of a number of specialized officials appointed by the Committee to assist it. The members of the National Committee for Search and Rescue shall work on a part-time basis.

            Article 2: The National Committee for Search and Rescue has the following tasks and powers:

1.        It is responsible for directing and organizing the search and rescue of people and means (aircraft, ships, boats, oil-gas facilities) meeting with accidents in the air and on the sea and adjacent areas of responsibility between Vietnam and other countries.

2.        It is authorized to mobilize and coordinate the forces and all types of means under the ministries, branches, localities and organizations for prompt search and rescue; coordinate with the foreign countries which share the responsibility areas with Vietnam in supporting the search and rescue of people and means of Vietnam and foreign countries in distress.

3.        Detailing the system of specialized search and rescue organizations (aviation, maritime, aquatic and oil and gas) in accordance with Article 4 of this Decision.

          Anticipating likely air and sea accidents in order to mobilize the forces and means, organize and coordinate the search and rescue in the shortest possible time and with high effectiveness.

          Directing the organization of annual search and rescue exercise.

4.        Directing the investigation into and making conclusions on air and sea accidents as assigned by the Prime Minister and proposing to the Prime Minister and the concerned State agencies necessary measures to prevent and minimize accidents and measures to overcome the consequences of accidents under current law and regulations.

5.        Monitoring, supervising and urging the ministries, branches and localities to observe the regulations of the State and the Committee on the search, rescue and settlement of the consequences of accidents.

6.        Submitting to the Prime Minister for approval the financial mechanism for regular operation and funds for the acquisition of search and rescue equipment.

7.        Proposing to the Prime Minister to award in time the organizations and individuals with outstanding merits in the search and rescue activities and proposing measures to handle the organizations and individuals that fail to discharge the task of search and rescue, thus leading to serious consequences.

8.        Establishing cooperative relations with foreign countries and international organizations in the field of search and rescue.

            Article 3: The National Committee for Search and Rescue shall be composed of :

          - A Deputy Prime Minister as President.

          - A Vice Minister of National Defense as Standing Vice President.

          - A Vice Minister of Communications and Transport as Vice President.

          - A Vice Minister of Aquaculture as Vice President.

          - The Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam as Vice President.

          - The Director of the Maritime Department of Vietnam as Member.

          - The General Director of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation as Member.

          - The Air Force Commander as Member.

          - The Naval Commander as Member.

            Article 4: The standing specialized bodies of the National Committee for Search and Rescue include:

          - The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam which is the standing body for air search and rescue and has centers for search and rescue coordination in each region.

          - The Maritime Department of Vietnam which is the standing body for maritime search and rescue and centers for search and rescue coordination in each region.

          - The Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation which is the standing body for search and rescue in oil and gas activities on the sea.

          - The Ministry of Aquaculture, which is the standing body for search and rescue of people, ships and boats conducting fishing activities on the sea and has centers for search and rescue coordination in each region.

            Article 5: This Decision takes effect from the date of its signing.

          The Ministers, the Heads of the ministerial-level agencies, the Heads of the agencies attached to the Government, the Presidents of the People’s Committees of the provinces and cities directly under the Central Government and the Chairman of the National Committee for Search and Rescue and the members of the Committee mentioned in Article 3 above shall have to implement this Decision.

The Prime Minister

VO VAN KIET