Abstract
The 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (with Annex) established an international system covering maritime search and rescue operations. Frontex is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency which nowadays plays a significant role also in European Union maritime search and rescue activities. For such reasons, this paper surveys if and how far the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (with Annex) is applicable to Frontex maritime search and rescue activities. Firstly, the origins and the following amendments of such Convention will be reviewed, along with the key role and tasks of Frontex in the maritime search and rescue fields. Secondly, the European Union Regulations about Frontex will be analysed in relation to the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue. Lastly, the ‘Adriana’ case will be considered, in order to see the surveyed issues in praxis.
Keywords
Frontex 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (with Annex) international law of the sea international organizations