The Publication Used To Assist in This Function Are IAMSAR VOLUMES 1,2,3 IAMSAR - International Aeronautical and Maritime Search & Rescue

It is responsibility of a vessel to render assistance to a vessel / aircraft in distress on
humanitarian considerations as an international practise. Specific obligations are also

laid as per:
a) International convention on Maritime Search & Rescue.
b) SOLAS Chapter V/ Regulation 33
The publication used to assist in this function are IAMSAR VOLUMES 1,2,3
IAMSAR - International Aeronautical and Maritime Search & Rescue

This Publication is in three volumes. Volume 1,2,3.
It is mandatory to keep IAMSAR VOLUME 3 onboard at all times with valid edition.
This book is carried onboard to provide guidance to aircraft & ships:
a) who may need to perform on-scene coordinator functions for multiple facilities in the
vicinity of a distress situation.
b) who may experience actual or potential emergencies , and may require SAR
assistance.
The SAR system has three general levels of Coordination :
a) On-scene Coordinators (OSCs)

When two or more SAR facilities are working at a particular site, one of them acts as
coordinator of all participating facilities. The person in charge of the first facility to arrive
a the scene normally assume the OSC function until the SMC arranges for that person to
be relieved.
b) SAR mission co-ordinators (SMCs) (Rescue Coordination Centre)

Each SAR operation is carried out under the guidance of SMC. This function exists only for
the duration of specific SAR incident and is normally performed by RCC chief and his
assisting staff.
c) SAR coordinators (SCs) (National Level).

They are top level SAR managers. Each country will have one or more person or agencies
for whom this designation will be appropriate. They develop SAR policies, coordinate
SAR training , provide and arrange SAR facilities, establish RCCs etc.
+SEARCH AND RESCUE REGION (SRR) - A search and rescue region is an area of defined
dimensions associated with a Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) within which SAR
services are provided. It helps to identify as to who has primary responsibility for
coordinating responses to distress situations in every area of the world, but they are not
intended to restrict anyone from assisting persons in distress.
Ship Reporting Systems (SRS) & Vessel Tracking SRS have been established by several
states. Ships at sea may be the only craft near the scene of a distressed aircraft or a
vessel.
SRS helps SMC to quickly :
identify vessels in the vicinity of a distress situation, alongwith their position ,
course and speed.
know how to contact the vessels.
improve likelyhood of rapid aid during emergencies
reduce response time to provide assistance.
HOW DOES SAR SYSTEM WORK !!
SCs are top level people who are resource people to make policies, conduct training ,
provide facilities etc in a particular country. The world is divided into different SRRs and
each is managed by a RCC .
-When a incident happens which involves Search and Rescue, RCC of that region
designates the SMC (SMC are based on shore) . They are specialised people who have lot
of information about all these procedures and to manage it using technology and
resources. The SMC tracks the ships in the vicinity and mobilises the resources to that
area. SMC also prepares the SEARCH ACTION PLAN for rescue. It also nominates the On
scene coordinator (OSC) for that incident. OSC is at the site of incident and coordinates
with the ships which are assisting. SMC stays at the shore. OSC acts the information
bridge between the facilities at the site and SMC sitting ashore. Both of them coordinate
and exchange information about all the aspects till the operation is carried out. This is
done till the survivors are found or it is established that there is no use of further carrying
out the search. After this all the facilities are released for their normal work.
How does OSC manages to carryout the search at the site ?
Some important definitions
Datum : It is the geographical reference for the area which is to be searched.
CSP Commence Search Point i.e. the point from which search is to be started.
There are various search patterns that are followed depending on the requirement .
SEARCH AND RESCUE PATTERNS :
1) Expanding Square Search (SS) *
Most effective when the location of the search object is known within
relatively close limits.
The commence search point is always the datum position.
Often appropriate for vessels or small boats to use when searching for
persons in the water or other search objects with little or no leeway.
Due to the small area involved, this procedure must not be used
simultaneously by multiple aircraft at similar altitudes or by multiple
vessels.
Accurate navigation is required; the first leg is usually oriented directly
into the wind to minimize navigational errors. it is difficult for fixed-wing
aircraft to fly legs close to datum if S is less than 2 NM.
2) Sector Search (VS)
Most effective when the position of the search object is accurately known
and the search area is small.
Used to search a circular area centered on a datum point.
Due to the small area involved, this procedure must not be used
simultaneously by multiple aircraft at similar altitudes or by multiple
vessels.
An aircraft and a vessel may be used together to perform independent
sector searches of the same area.
A suitable marker (for example, a smoke float or a radio beacon) may be
dropped at the datum position and used as a reference or navigational aid
marking the center of the pattern.
For aircraft, the search pattern radius is usually between 5 NM and 20 NM.
For vessels, the search pattern radius is usually between 2 NM and 5 NM,
and each turn is 120', normally turned to starboard.
3) Track Line Search (TS)
Normally used when an aircraft or vessel has disappeared without a trace

along a known route.
Often used as initial search effort due to ease of planning and
implementation.
Consists of a rapid and reasonably thorough search along intended route
of the distressed craft.
Search may be along one side of the track line and return. in the opposite
direction on the other side (TSR).
Search may be along the intended track and once on each side, then
search facility continues on its way and does not return (TSN).
Aircraft are 'frequently used for TS due to their high speed.
4) Parallel Sweep Search (PS)
Used to search a large area when survivor location is uncertain.

Most effective over water or flat terrain.
Usually used when a large search area must be divided into subareas for
assignment to individual search facilities on-scene at the same time.
The commence search point is in one corner of the sub-area, one-half track
space inside the rectangle from each of the two sides forming the corner.
Search legs are parallel to each other and to the long sides of the subarea.
Ship and Aircraft Coordinated Searches
Creeping line search, coordinated (CSC) is often used. The aircraft does most
of the searching, while the ship steams along a course at a speed as directed by
the OSC so that the aircraft can use it as a navigational checkpoint.

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It is responsibility of a vessel to render assistance to a vessel / aircraft in distress on

humanitarian considerations as an international practise. Specific obligations are also

IAMSAR - International Aeronautical and Maritime Search & Rescue

The SAR system has three general levels of Coordination :

a) On-scene Coordinators (OSCs)

b) SAR mission co-ordinators (SMCs) (Rescue Coordination Centre)

c) SAR coordinators (SCs) (National Level).

How does OSC manages to carryout the search at the site ?

Some important definitions

Datum : It is the geographical reference for the area which is to be searched.

SEARCH AND RESCUE PATTERNS :

1) Expanding Square Search (SS) *

3) Track Line Search (TS)

Normally used when an aircraft or vessel has disappeared without a trace

4) Parallel Sweep Search (PS)

Used to search a large area when survivor location is uncertain.

Ship and Aircraft Coordinated Searches

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