The duty to render assistance is the title of Article 98 provided in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that generally outlines states responsibilities in assisting people found in distress at sea. Article 98 is located in Part VII of the Convention, also known as Convention on the High Seas. Under Article 98 in UNCLOS flag-states are responsible for ensuring that ship masters rescue people in distress when found at sea, where feasible, while coastal states are obligated to maintain search and rescue services. The rule has long standing customary origins dating back to the 16th and 17th century but was first codified in international law through the United Nations in 1958. Based on Article 58(2) of UNCLOS the rule extends to all maritime zones. The implementation of the rule has led to several legal tensions such as the prosecution of NGO search and rescue vessels in the Mediterranean. This is due to the way Article 98 interconnects with states' domestic immigration and border policy as well as the legal obligations from International Refugee and Human Rights Law.

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