The Mobile Facilities volume is intended to be carried on board rescue units, aircraft and vessels to help with the performance of a search, rescue or on-scene coordinator function and with aspects of search and rescue that pertain to their own emergencies.

A new edition of the IAMSAR Manual is published every three years. The 2025 edition includes amendments, adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and approved by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its 109th session in December 2024 by means of MSC.1/Circ.1686, which become applicable on 1 January 2026.