From July 2014, all ships are required by new IMO regulations (SOLAS Regulation III/I7-1) to have ship-specific plans and procedures for the recovery of persons from the water. These ICS Guidelines have been developed to assist companies when preparing to comply with the new regulations and should be used together with the IMO Guidelines for the Development of Plans and Procedures for the Recovery of Persons from the Water (MSC.1/Circ.1447), the Guide to Recovery Techniques (MSC.1/Circ.1182) and the Guide for Cold Water Survival (MSC.1/Circ.1185/Rev.1).