The International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme Agreement was signed in Paris on 1 July 1988, in two originals, the English, French and Russian texts being equally authentic, deposited with the Secretary-General of ICAO and the Secretary-General of IMO respectively. It was open for signature by Canada, France, the United States and the Soviet Union, with or without a reservation as to ratification. It enters into force on the sixtieth day after those four States have signed without reservation or have deposited their instruments: 30 August 1988. It is not the Memorandum of Understanding of 5 October 1984, which ceases upon entry into force of this Agreement, nor the 1979 Hamburg SAR Convention.

The purpose, in Article 2: long-term operation of the System; distress alert and location data to the international community on a non-discriminatory basis in support of search and rescue; support for IMO and ICAO search-and-rescue objectives; and definition of how the Parties coordinate the System. The System, in Article 3, comprises, at framework level, a Space Segment, a Ground Segment (local terminals and mission control centres) and radiobeacons; frequencies and equipment specifications are not transcribed. Reception and transmission of distress alert data through the Space Segment shall be provided free of charge to all States.

Each Party designates a Cooperating Agency and contributes on a long-term basis at least one basic unit of the Space Segment. Common costs of the Council and the Secretariat are shared equally. Structure: Council and Secretariat. Third States may become Ground Segment Providers or User States by formal notification to the Depositary, after conditions agreed with the Council. Cooperation with ICAO, ITU and IMO. The Parties make no claims against each other and accept no liability towards users for injury, damages or financial losses arising from use of the System.

Disputes: negotiation, then arbitration if the affected Parties so agree. Accession: any State that agrees to contribute a minimum of one basic unit to the Space Segment. Withdrawal: takes effect one year after receipt of notification by the Depositary, or at a later date agreed by the Parties. Amendments: Council recommendation; enter into force sixty days after acceptance by all Parties. Registration with the United Nations under Article 102 of the Charter.

Duration: fifteen years from entry into force, then automatic extension for successive five-year periods. Depositaries: the Secretary-General of ICAO and the Secretary-General of IMO.

Cover: the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, the place of signature; we do not claim the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: International Cospas-Sarsat Programme; International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme Agreement (official text).