Article 12:
1. Every State shall require the master of a ship sailing under its flag, in so far as he can do so without serious danger to the ship, the crew or the passengers,
a. To render assistance to any person found at sea in danger of being lost;
b. To proceed with all possible speed to the rescue of persons in distress if informed of their need of assistance, in so far as such action may be reasonably expected of him;
c. After a collision, to render assistance to the other ship, her crew and her passengers and, where possible, to inform the other ship of the name of his own ship, her port of registry and the nearest port she will call.
2. Every coastal State shall promote the establishment and maintenance of an adequate and effective search and rescue regarding safety on and over the sea and-where circumstances so require-by way of mutual regional arrangements with neighbouring States for this purpose.