| (1) | Subject to this Act, any search and rescue action must be undertaken in accordance with the SASAR manual. |
| (2) | Where an aircraft has failed to reach its destination or is reported missing, SASAR must forthwith institute search and rescue action if the flight plan was filed prior to departure and the flight in question was— |
| (a) | between aerodromes where air traffic services are provided, unless otherwise indicated on the flight plan or through aeronautical publications or notices; |
| (b) | conducted in airspace within which air traffic control services are provided, except for flights crossing an airway at right angles; or |
[Section 16(2)(b) substituted by section 12(a) of Act No. 5 of 2013]
| (c) | a flight to an aerodrome where air traffic services are not provided, if search and rescue action is specifically requested by the pilot-in-command. |
| (3) | Search and rescue action must be instituted in respect of all flights for which flight plans were filed in flight when such action is specifically requested by the pilot-in-command. |
| (4) | Search and rescue action may be instituted— |
| (a) | in respect of a flight for which no flight plan has been filed, when information that the aircraft is overdue or missing is received from any source; or |
[Section 16(4)(a) inserted by section 12 (b) of Act No. 5 of 2013]
| (b) | for any aircraft which is believed to be in need of assistance. |
| (5) | [Section 16(5) deleted by section 12(c) of Act No. 5 of 2013] |
| (6) | SASAR must forthwith institute search and rescue action where a vessel is reported missing or in distress. |
