Chapter

24

Search and Rescue

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24 Search and Rescue

Rescue and Search 24

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Definitions and Abbreviations

24.1Definitions. The following definitions are required knowledge.

Establishment and Provision of SAR Service

24.2 Basis of Establishment. Contracting States shall arrange for the establishment and provision of SAR services within their territories. Such services shall be provided on a 24 hour basis. In providing assistance to aircraft in distress and to survivors of aircraft accidents, Contracting States shall do so regardless of the nationality of such aircraft or survivors.

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Co-operation between States

24.5 Requirement. Contracting States shall co-ordinate their SAR organizations with those of neighbouring Contracting States. Contracting States should, in so far as practicable, develop common SAR procedures to facilitate co-ordination of SAR operations with those of neighbouring States. Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by its own authorities, a Contracting State shall permit immediate entry into its territory of rescue units of other States for the purpose of searching for the site of aircraft incidents and rescuing survivors of such accidents. The authorities of a Contracting State which wishes its rescue units to enter the territory of another Contracting State for SAR purposes shall transmit a request, giving full details of the projected mission and the need for it, to the rescue co-ordination centre of the State concerned or to such other authority as has been designated by that State. The authorities of Contracting States shall:

• Immediately acknowledge the receipt of such a request, and

• As soon as possible indicate the conditions, if any, under which the projected mission may be undertaken;

24.6 Agreement with Other States. Contracting States should enter into agreements with neighbouring States setting forth the conditions for entry of each other’s rescue units into their respective territories. These agreements should also provide for expediting entry of such units with the least possible formalities. Each Contracting State should authorize its rescue coordination centres to:

•request from other rescue co-ordination centres such assistance, including aircraft, vessels, personnel or equipment, as may be needed;

•grant any necessary permission for the entry of such aircraft, vessels, personnel or equipment into its territory; and

•make the necessary arrangements with the appropriate customs, immigration or other authorities with a view to expediting such entry.

24.7 Assistance to Other States. Each Contracting State should authorize its rescue coordination centres to provide, when requested, assistance to other rescue co-ordination centres, including assistance in the form of aircraft, vessels, personnel or equipment.

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24.9 First Aircraft on Scene. If the first aircraft to reach the scene of an accident is not a SAR aircraft the PIC of that aircraft shall take charge of on-scene activities of all other aircraft subsequently arriving until the first dedicated SAR aircraft reaches the scene of the accident. If, in the meantime, the aircraft is unable to establish communication with the appropriate rescue co-ordination centre or air traffic services unit, it shall, by mutual agreement, hand over to an aircraft capable of establishing and maintaining such communications until the arrival of the first SAR aircraft.

© Ian Older

Figure 24.1 RAF Nimrod MR2A used for long range SAR

24.10Direction of Surface Craft. When it is necessary for an aircraft to direct a surface craft to the place where an aircraft or surface craft is in distress, the aircraft shall do so by transmitting precise instructions by any means at its disposal. All ships at sea maintain a radio watch on the HF Maritime Distress and calling frequency 2182 kHz (2.182 MHz). In coastal waters, all shipping maintains a watch on VHF FM Chan 16. Aircraft do not normally carry VHF FM transmitters but may be able to relay through Coast Guard units or coastal radio stations. If no radio communication can be established, the aircraft shall use the appropriate signal to attract the attention of the vessel. If the PIC can identify the vessel by name and port of registration (painted on the stern), the RCC can pass messages to the vessel through the maritime communications system.

24.11Communication with Survivors. When it is necessary for an aircraft to convey information to survivors or surface rescue units, and two way communication is not available, it shall, if practicable, drop communication equipment that would enable direct contact to be established, or convey the information by dropping the message. When a ground signal has been displayed, the aircraft shall indicate whether the signal has been understood or not.

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24.17 Ground/Air from Search Parties.

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