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About Marine Accident Emergency Support

For the purpose of the efficient and effective provision of meteorological and oceanographic information for marine accident emergency response operations on the high seas and in view of the international character of these operations, there is a requirement to provide an internationally coordinated system of meteorological and oceanographic support for such operations. For this purpose WMO established Marine Pollution Emergency Response Support System (MPERSS) for the high seas. The oceans and seas are divided into areas for which National Meteorological and Oceanographic Services have accepted responsibility. These areas, termed Marine Pollution Incident (MPI) areas, are the same areas as the METAREAs of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) but exclude waters under national jurisdiction.

JCOMM II agreed that MPERSS could now be considered operational. It also agreed to include the system plan and other relevant details in the Guide to Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No. 471). The Commission further agreed to the establishment of an ongoing Expert Team on Marine Accident Emergency Support (ETMAES).


The Expert Team on Marine Accident Emergency Support shall:

(a) In support of the Marine Pollution Emergency Response Support System (MPERSS):

  • Monitor implementation and operations of MPERSS; review and suggest, as necessary, improvements to the contents of the overall system plan;

  • Facilitate coordination and cooperation amongst the Area Meteorological and Oceanographic Coordinators (AMOCs) of MPERSS, in particular with a view to ensuring full and ongoing operations in all areas, as well as the exchange of relevant advice, information, data and products between AMOCs, as appropriate and required;

(b) In support of maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, and in particular for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS):

  • Monitor requirements for meteorological and oceanographic data, information, products and services to support SAR operations worldwide, and prepare draft amendments to the Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No. 558) in this regard, as appropriate;

  • As necessary, facilitate coordination and cooperation amongst relevant agencies in the provision of meteorological and oceanographic information and support to maritime SAR operations;

(c) Ensure effective and ongoing coordination and cooperation with relevant organizations and bodies, as well as with Members/Member States on any type of marine accident emergency support needs;

(d) Provide advice to the Services Programme Area Coordination Group and other Groups of JCOMM, as required on issues related to marine accident emergency support.

(Last Updated: 09-08-2007)