In Vietnam, Search and Rescue in inland waterway transport is subject to the Law on Inland Waterway Navigation and specified to the Decision No. 51/QD-Ttg dated October 14, 2015 of the Prime Minister.

Responsibilities of search and rescue agencies

1. People’s committees of provinces shall preside over the organization of search and rescue on inland waterways within local administrative divisions.
2. The Ministry of Transport shall preside over and cooperate with ministries, sectors and localities in organizing search and rescue on inland waterways in case of particularly serious concerning two or more provinces; direct cooperation with search and rescue organizations in the area bordering two provinces in case of need.
3. National Search and Rescue Committee shall direct ministries, sectors and localities to mobilize human forces, vehicles and equipment for search and rescue operation in cases out of control of search and rescue agencies as prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.

Human forces, vehicles and equipment participating in inland waterway search and rescue operation

1. Organizations and units that carry out search and rescue operation, part time or full time, affiliated to ministries, sectors and localities; and other relevant organizations and individuals.
2. Organizations and units that carry out management and maintenance of regional inland waterways; inland waterway port authorities;
3. Human forces, vehicles and equipment from agencies and units based in the administrative division;
4. Human forces, vehicles and equipment from foreign organizations and individuals as mobilized by Vietnam’s competent agencies;
5. Human forces, vehicles and equipment from the centers that handle oil spill;
6. Other human forces, vehicles and equipment operating on inland waterways;

Responsibilities of Search and rescue Agencies

Upon occurrence of natural disasters, catastrophe and traffic accidents on inland waterways, search and rescue agencies shall take the following responsibilities:

1. 1. Grasp developments of natural disasters, catastrophe and traffic accidents on inland waterways to put forward appropriate plans, mobilize human force, vehicles and equipment for timely and effective responses.
   2. Appoint site commanders;
   3. Ensure traffic order and safety throughout; in case of natural disasters, catastrophe and traffic accidents, make immediate reports to state administration agencies for environmental protection for timely handling;
   4. Keep constant contact with site commanders and direct activities of search and rescue;
   5. Grasp the situation and developments of the event to provide timely instructions on rescue of people and vehicles in distress and lead coordination between site commanders and human force, vehicles and equipment taking part in search and rescue
   6. Directly mobilize human force, vehicles and equipment for search and rescue operation if necessary; make immediate reports to competent authorities for supports if the situation is out of control.
   7. Cooperate with other relevant agencies, organizations in resolving consequences of search and rescue tasks;
   8. In case foreign vehicles or vehicles carrying foreigners are in distress on natural disasters, catastrophe or traffic accidents on inland waterways, search and rescue agencies shall be responsible for making reports to National Search and Rescue Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for cooperation with competent agencies of the country with people and vehicles in distress in handling consequences.

In Vietnam, Search and Rescue in inland waterway transport is subject to the Law on Inland Waterway Navigation and specified to the Decision No. 51/QD-Ttg dated October 14, 2015 of the Prime Minister.

Responsibilities of search and rescue agencies

1. 1. People’s committees of provinces shall preside over the organization of search and rescue on inland waterways within local administrative divisions.
   2. The Ministry of Transport shall preside over and cooperate with ministries, sectors and localities in organizing search and rescue on inland waterways in case of particularly serious concerning two or more provinces; direct cooperation with search and rescue organizations in the area bordering two provinces in case of need.

National Search and Rescue Committee shall direct ministries, sectors and localities to mobilize human forces, vehicles and equipment for search and rescue operation in cases out of control of search and rescue agencies as prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.

• The National Committee for Search and Rescue (VINASARCOM) is the lead agency for oil spill response, responsible for implementation of the National Contingency Plan. The National Southern Oil Spill Response Center (NASOS) in Vung Tau has Tier 1 and 2 capacity but would require international assistance for larger spills.
• Spills should be notified to the local Inland Waterway Administration and to the local People’s Committee.
• Tier 1 is associated with spills up to 20 tons, Tier 2 is associated with spills between 20 and 500 tons and Tier 3 is associated with spills of over 500 tons. For Tier 1, the polluter is responsible for mobilizing resources to combat oil spill. For Tier 2, if the spill exceeds the response capacity of the polluter, the Provincial People’s Committee is responsible for spill response, mobilizing response resources of the regional center to deal with the spill. For Tier 2 and 3, in case the province is not capable of combating the spill, the Provincial People’s Committee will report to the Vietnam National Committee for Search and Rescue (VINASARCOM) for direction and cooperation with relevant (national and international) agencies in organizing the response.