Under the direct instruction of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and as may be requested by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue (COMSAR) considers matters related to the following subjects:
- performance standards, maintenance requirements and relevant procedures for radiocommunication equipment and operational communications related to safety or maritime security, including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS);
- co-operation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regarding maritime mobile radiocommunication matters;
- the GMDSS Master Plan;
- technical and operational measures and recommendations on the worldwide implementation of maritime search and rescue, including the maintanace of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual;
- co-operation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding joint aeronautical and maritime search and rescue issues; and
- the Global SAR Plan.
Reports of the Sub-Committee