US Coast Guard SAR

U.S.
Coast Guard Addendum to the United States National SAR Supplement Chapter 3 - Search Planning
CHAPTER 3 SEARCH PLANNING

3.1 3.1.1 3.1.# 3.1.3 3.# 3.#.1 3.#.# 3.#.3 3.#.-. 3.#.. 3.3 3.3.1 3.3.# SAR Planning and Operations Overvie SAR !ncidents Pro"ile SAR !ncident $ata Collection% &he 'atchstander(s Art Standard Chec)sheet *ormats Search Planning +ethods and &ools +anual Solution +odel Automated +anual Solution +odel Operational Search Planning Computer S,stems Commence Search Point Guidance Search Area $esignation Search Planning /aria0les $ri"t &heor, $istress State &ransition !nitial Response1 Search Planning and Search Operations O""shore !ncidents Coastal !ncidents *lare !ncidents $istress 2eacon !ncidents Night and Reduced /isi0ilit, Searches 4lectronic Sensors And Sensor Searches Searches "or 2odies Aircra"t !ncidents Uncorrelated $istress 2roadcasts *alse Alarms1 9oa:es and Suspected 9oa:es +ass Rescue Operations Search Action Plans Rescue Planning and Operations Overvie Rescue and the +SAP $isposition o" ;i"esaving $evices +easures o" Search 4""ectiveness Pro0a0ilit, o" Success <POS= &he /alue o" Using POS $etermining POS Aspects o" Survival 9,pothermia Survival 'ill to ;ive Conclusion o" SAR Operations Case Closed Case Pends Active Search Suspended Pending *urther $evelopments Close>Suspend hen Other Agencies are S+C Case $ocumentation SAR Case Claiming SAR Case Situation Reports <S!&R4Ps= +4$ical 4/ACuation <+4$4/AC= Report
3.3.-.1 3.-.# 3.-.3 3.-.3.-.. 3.-.3 3.-.5 3.-.6 3.-.7 3.-.18 3.-.11 3.-.1#
3.. 3...1 3...# 3...3 3.3 3.3.1 3.3.# 3.3.3 3.5 3.5.1 3.5.# 3.6 3.6.1 3.6.# 3.6.3 3.6.3.7 3.7.1 3.7.# 3.7.3
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U.S. Coast Guard Addendum to the United States National SAR Supplement Chapter 3 - Search Planning
3.7.3.7..
SAR+!S Reports SAR Case Studies
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Section 3.1 SAR Planning and Operations Overvie

3.1.1 SAR Incidents Profile +ore than 7. percent o" all Coast Guard SAR cases occur ithin #8 nautical miles o" shore. Coast Guard helicopters and 0oats1 our primar, ?uic) response assets1 handle the ma@orit, o" incidents to hich the Coast Guard dispatches its o n resources. Appro:imatel, 78 percent o" all cases involve assist or rescue onl, -- no searching. O" all cases1 6 percent involve minor searches <less than #- hours= and # percent o" all cases involve ma@or searches lasting more than #- hours. 'hile a total o" onl, 18 percent o" Coast Guard cases involve searches1 annuall,1 the Coast Guard spends more than A.8 million on these searches in operating costs. &here"ore1 it is advantageous to reduce the time spent searching henever possi0le. Relia0le and timel, distress alerting1 accurate position indicating1 and e""icient locating ill reduce search time "or those in distress 0e"ore the rescue. Search planning tools1 such as Computer Assisted Search Planning <CASP=1 coupled ith accurate environmental data1 are essential "or proper search planning. 4""icient planning can signi"icantl, reduce the time Coast Guard units spend on searching. 3.1.2 SAR Incident Data Collection: The Watchstanders Art. &he collection o" accurate1 detailed incident data upon noti"ication o" a potential distress is a crucial element o" the BA arenessC stage o" a SAR incident. *or e:ample1 communications ith people in distress ma, 0e terminated a0ruptl,1 and the initial in"ormation collected ma, 0e the onl, means to a""ect a search and rescue e""ort. $espite this1 the time ta)en to collect all o" the in"ormation on the SAR incident chec)sheet dela,Ds the Coast GuardDs initial response and could unnecessaril, put those in distress at greater ris). 'hen responding to calls "or assistance1 atchstanders should "ocus on initiall, collecting onl, the most critical and relevant in"ormation necessar, to determine the severit, o" the situation and an appropriate response. Usuall,1 this in"ormation consists o" the "ollo ing items on the !nitial SAR !ncident Chec)sheetE vesselDs position1 vessel(s description1 nature o" distress1 num0er o" persons on 0oard.
*or most cases1 this ill 0e su""icient in"ormation to determine an appropriate initial response and dispatch resources to assist. &hose in distress should then 0e noti"ied as soon as Coast Guard or other resources are dispatched1 so that the, )no that help is on the a,. Once these steps are completed1 atchstanders can then continue the process o" completing the !nitial SAR !ncident Chec)sheet1 and an, supplemental chec)sheets as necessar,. 3.1.2.1 &he a0ilit, to e""ectivel, communicate ith persons in distress re?uires 0oth s)ill and e:perience. +ariners hose stress level is high ma, spea) ?uic)l, or incoherentl,% resulting in crucial in"ormation 0eing passed that is not easil, understood. Coast Guard radio atchstanders must 0e acute listeners and clear spea)ers. 'atchstanders ho spea) in a clear1 calm voice can o"ten reduce the stress level o" those ith hom the, are communicating. &his in turn can help ensure that crucial in"ormation passed 0, the 0oater is more easil, understood. Standard Chec sheet !or"ats &he use o" SAR incident chec)sheets "or the collection o" SAR case data is re?uired. &he standard "ormats "or Coast Guard SAR !ncident Chec)sheets are provided in Appendi: G. &he sheets provided detail the minimum amount o" in"ormation to 0e gathered "or each situation. 3.1.3.1 &his standard "ormats are strongl, recommended. +odi"ications in "ormat1 or the creation o" additional data "ields1 are authoriFed as deemed necessar, 0, the operational commander to accommodate local practices. An, modi"ications shall not eliminate an, in"ormation.
3.1.3
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3.1.3.2
&he B!nitial SAR !ncident Chec)sheetC should 0e completed "or all incidents. &he BSupplemental SAR Chec)sheetC contains other in"ormation that should 0e collected as circumstances arrant. Standard chec)sheets are also provided "or speci"ic incident t,pes. SAR Controllers shall not hesitate to launch resources prior to completing the chec)sheets. !" the situation dictates1 launch "irst then ma)e all attempts to complete the chec)sheets hen time permits. At speci"ic points indicated on the chec)sheets1 hile completing the sheets1 SAR Controllers should ascertain the earing o" personnel "lotation devices 0, persons on 0oard and advise the reporting source o" the intended action o" the Coast Guard.
3.1.3.3 3.1.3.#
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Section 3.! Searc" Planning #et"ods and Tools

Nationall, and internationall, there are a num0er o" recogniFed search planning methods. &he Coast Guard has historicall, used the B+inima:C method "or manual search planning1 and CASP "or high-end computer planning. &he !A+SAR +anual has an alternate manual method ith enhancements that can result in smaller search areas. Currentl, there is no automated computer implementation o" the !A+SAR method. &his Addendum provides the current method used 0, the Coast Guard <Appendi: 9= hich ma, 0e used in con@unction ith the Automated +anual Solution <A+S= provided ith the C#PC tools. 'ith the improvement in lee a, and sea current data no availa0le1 the A+S solutions ill lead to smaller more accurate search areas. When search $lannin% is re&'ired( one of the a$$ro)ed "ethods *"an'al sheets *A$$endi+ ,-( A.S( IA.SAR( CASP- shall /e 'sed. Planners shall "ull, document their search planning regardless o" the method the, select. 'hen developing a search plan1 search planners must 0e detectives and in"ormation distillers. &he, must aggressivel, pursue leads and o0tain all in"ormation availa0le. &he, must continuall, thin) Goutside the 0o:.G
!i%'re 301 Search Plannin% Decision .atri+ 3.2.1 .an'al Sol'tion .odel Re"erence <0= provides guidance "or determining SAR planning steps 0ased upon time o" dri"t and ph,sical location "actors. &he Search Planning $ecision +atri: <*igure 3-1= illustrates the "our methodologies "or determining appropriate search areas 0ased on the planning "actors o" the SAR case.
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3.2.1.1
&he methodologies are used as "ollo sE *irst search>su0se?uent searches !" planning a "irst search1 consider the search location. *or su0se?uent searches1 determine last )no n position <;HP= t,pe as discussed 0elo .
$etermine ;ocation !s the search o0@ect in coastal aters or the oceanic environmentI
$ri"t &ime 9o long has the search o0@ect 0een adri"tI
$etermine ;HP &,pe 4sta0lish a ;ast Hno n Position &,pe. Are ,ou planning "or a Single Point1 +ultiple Points1 Area1 or &rac)lineI
Compute &otal 'ater Current $id ,ou consider all the ater currents <sea current1 tidal currents1 ind driven current1 etc.=I
Compute ;ee a, ;ee a, is applied do n ind in coastal aters1 and in cases in the oceanic environment here the ;HP is determined to 0e an area or trac)line1 or i" the total dri"t time is "our hours or less. ;ee a, Uncertaint, is applied in situations here the ;HP is a single point or multiple points and the total dri"t time is greater than "our hours. ithout considering
12T3: *or the oceanic environment1 i" the dri"t is less than "our hours1 compute search radius dri"t error. !" more than "our hours1 compute the search radius using total pro0a0le error.
NOTE: *or the oceanic environment1 Search Area <minima: solution= is determined 0, the Search Radius. *or nonminima: solutions1 Search Area ill 0e determined 0, dra ing search radii a0out multiple $A&U+ positions as in the Coastal Solution.
$etermine $A&U+<s= or $A&U+minima: !" ,ou used $o n ind ;ee a,1 then ,ou ill determine $A&U+ <one position per ;HP=. !" ,ou used ;ee a, Uncertaint,1 ,ou ill determine $A&U+minima: <generate t o positions - $min J $ma: and solve "or $A&U+minima: <Chapter . o" re"erence <a==.
$etermine Search Radius *or Coastal 'aters ith less than si: hours o" dri"t1 use a si: nautical mile <N+= radius. !" more than si: hours o" dri"t1 use Oceanic methodolog,.
Search Areas *or Coastal 'aters ith less than 3 hours o" dri"t1 a 3-mile radius around $A&U+<s= ill normall, create ,our desired search area. !" these radii are dra n a0out multiple positions1 such as a trac)line $A&U+1 then the Search Area can 0e determined "rom a chart plot.
3.2.1.2 3.2.2
Appendi: 9 contains the +anual Solution or)sheets and detailed @o0 aides "or "illing them out. A'to"ated .an'al Sol'tion .odel
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&he +anual solution is time consuming and error prone due to the volume o" calculations involved. &he Automated +anual Solution is an application that has computeriFed the or)sheets and computations. 3.2.3 2$erational Search Plannin% Co"$'ter S4ste"s &he SAR communit, has computer assistance "or SAR planning availa0le through the Coast Guard Operations S,stems Center. Polic, "or the operation and administration o" the Amver S,stem is provided in re"erence <n=. Guidance "or the Computer Assisted Search Planning <CASP= s,stem is 0eing revised. /arious levels o" guidance on use o" and products o" these s,stems are availa0le through the Operations S,stems Center telephone hotline. 12T3: Operations S,stems Center 9otlineE <38-= #3--#.88. 3.2.3.1 A")er S4ste". Amver is a computeriFed s,stem "or maintaining the dead rec)oning position o" participating vessels orld ide. +erchant vessels1 including some commercial "ishing vessels and mega,achts1 o" all nations ma)ing coastal and oceanic vo,ages are encouraged to send movement reports <sailing plan1 periodic position updates1 and "inal report= to the Amver Center at the OSC via assigned coast or international radio stations or satellite service providers. Nor a,1 Poland1 and U.S. <"or certain vessels= re?uire their merchant vessels to participate% other vessels participate voluntaril,. &he in"ormation is stored in the data0ase at the Amver Center and used "or SAR e""orts. RecogniFed RCCs orld ide handling an oceanic SAR operation can re?uest Amver in"ormation "rom an, U.S. Coast Guard RCC. !nstructions "or RCC>RSC access and use are provided in the End User Manual for the Amver System. Amver in"ormation is availa0le to RCC>RSC SAR planners is in three categoriesE
<a= S5RPIC: SUR"ace P!Cture is a program that identi"ies and plots Amver vessels orld ide. &his is
especiall, use"ul in the event o" a maritime emergenc,. RCC input includes the distressed vesselDs position1 t,pe and time o" SURP!C. Output is a te:t list o" the closest vessels ithin a de"ined area and a selected su0set o" availa0le vessel in"ormation. A graphic displa, o" the in"ormation is availa0le "or U.S. Coast Guard RCCs. SURP!C in"ormation can 0e "a:ed or e-mailed <press the Ctrl-Alt-Print Scrn 0uttons on the standard or)station and paste the te:t or graphic into the e-mail= to a "oreign RCC re?uesting help. SURP!Cs can 0e generated "or the current time1 a point up to 38 da,s in the past1 or a point up to 1- da,s in the "uture. &he "our t,pes o" SURP!Cs areE
<1= Radi's S5RPIC: A sur"ace picture de"ined 0, a distress position1 a distance "rom the distress
position <radius=1 and a $ate &ime Group <$&G= "or the SURP!C.
<#= Rectan%le S5RPIC: A sur"ace picture o" a speci"ic area de"ined 0, a north est corner and a
southeast corner1 and a $&G "or the SURP!C.
<3= Sna$shot Trac line: A sur"ace picture de"ined 0, the starting and ending position o" a trac)line1 a
distance "rom the trac)line1 and a $&G "or the SURP!C. &his SURP!C is use"ul in determining hich vessels ill 0e in a given area at a certain time <e.g.1 a space shuttle launch1 an aircra"t that ma, have to ditch1 or an overdue vessel on a )no n course=.
<-= .o)in% Point: &he +oving Point SURP!C provides the user the capa0ilit, to o0tain a sur"ace
picture around a vesselDs trac)line ith time variant. &his SURP!C is de"ined 0, the starting and ending position o" the vesselDs trac)line1 and the estimated departure o" the vessel. &his SURP!C is use"ul hen a vessel is overdue at its destination. !" the vesselDs trac)line and departure can 0e estimated1 a SURP!C can 0e generated the along trac)line "or each increment o" time. &hus1 the RCC can o0tain a list o" vessels that ma, have sighted the missing vessel.
<0= 6lo4ds 7essel Data: &he ;lo,dDs /essel $ata displa,s static in"ormation "rom the ;lo,dDs Registr,
descri0ing the vessel such asE vessel name1 international radio call sign1 the !nmarsat num0er1 ;lo,dDs num0er1 hull !$ <o""icial num0er o" registr,=, length1 idth, the ,ear and month in hich the vessel as 0uilt1 and the true and registered nationalit, and address o" the o ner compan,. $ata on tens o" thousands o" vessels are o0tained "rom ;lo,dDs and updated monthl,.
<c= 7o4a%e Infor"ation: !ncludes in"ormation on the current vo,age% the vesselDs current predicted
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position% a record o" the most recent Amver reports received% and Amver and ;lo,dDs vessel data. 3.2.3.2 Co"$'ter Assisted Search Plannin% *CASP- is a computeriFed s,stem used 0, search planners to identi", pro0a0le search areas and plan resource allocation. 'hen supplied ith appropriate in"ormation <the search o0@ect(s characteristics and uncertainties o" the situation=1 the computer uses in"ormation "rom on-line environmental data0ases to simulate dri"t. CASP is run "or "oreign RCCs upon re?uest. <a= CASP version 1.: is no deplo,ed. A replacement "or CASP is under development. <0= A"ter simulation is complete1 a pro0a0ilit, distri0ution <a GpictureG o" the area= descri0ing possi0le locations o" the search o0@ect can 0e generated. A"ter a search is conducted1 CASP can recalculate the dri"t and esta0lish ne pro0a0ilities 0ased on the previous search results. <c= CASP shall 0e used 0, all area and district RCCs to provide search planning guidance on cases involving incidents in open aters outside the 38 "athom mar) <depth o" 168 "eet or more= heneverE <1= the duration o" an incident has or could have e:ceeded #- hours1 and <#= there is uncertaint, concerning the incident time1 incident location1 t,pe o" search o0@ect<s= involved1 etc. <d= CASP should 0e applied ith caution among>near island chains or ithin 3 nautical miles <N+= o" shore. <e= CASP in"ormation is availa0le "or use 0, the SAR planner. As ith an, other in"ormation that 0ears on a distress incident1 it is the SAR planner(s decision as to hat in"ormation to utiliFe. <"= &he 0ene"its o" CASP ith regard to search planning and evaluation are discussed in Section 3.31 +easures o" Search 4""ectiveness. 3.2.# Co""ence Search Point 8'idance All "actors1 including environmental conditions and availa0le resources1 should 0e care"ull, considered determining here to place the commence search point <CSP= "or particular search areas. 3.2.#.1 Other "actors to consider includeE <a= 'hat is the resourceDs <includes aircra"t1 small 0oat and other availa0le assets= pro:imit, to the search areaI &he decision ma, 0e made to place the CSP at the point closest to the SRUDs departure point in order to "acilitate the start o" searching as ?uic)l, as possi0le. <0= &he decision ma, 0e made to place the CSP at a point "arthest a a, "rom the departure point1 so as to have the SRU "inish its search as close to its recover, point as possi0le. &his addresses other considerations1 such asE having the SRU pass through datum prior to searching% inserting a $+2 at datum prior to searching% and having the SRU "inish its search as close as possi0le to a logistics 0ase1 hich ould ma)e the $+2 availa0le "or the ne:t search or another mission. <c= *or missions ith multiple air SRUs1 all CSPs should 0e coordinated so that the, are positioned at the same geographic corner "or each individual search area <e.g. search areas A1-A. ill all have a CSP in the southeast corner=. !t is paramount to ris) assessment and sa"et, o" "light issues that strict adherence to this rule is "ollo ed. &he onl, caveat to the rule o" ad@acent CSPs ould 0e i" the SRUs "or ad@oining search areas ere to commence their searches at signi"icantl, di""erent times. !t ma, 0e appropriate to consider separation "or sur"ace assets in situations here visi0ilit, is reduced <"og1 night1 and heav, precipitation=. 3.2.#.2 Other considerations include orienting the search areas1 patterns and particularl, the CSP to account "or environmental "actors such as loo)ing into or a a, "rom the sun hile searching1 or searching into or do n s ell vice in the trough. &he t,pe o" search pattern1 as ell as the search o0@ectDs dri"t <direction and speed= must also 0e considered hen determining here to place the CSP. &here are man, "actors to consider prior to ma)ing a "inal decision a0out here to place the CSP. 4ach S+C hen
3.2.#.3
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must maintain communications ith on scene units or the OSC to determine i" the planned CSPs are in their proper places or i" positions need to 0e modi"ied. 3.2.9 Search Area Desi%nation Search areas shall 0e designated using a letter <A1 21 CK= se?uentiall, "or the overall search area. A ne letter shall 0e assigned each time the search planner esta0lishes a datum or dri"ts a datum. !n the course o" a search i" a ne independent datum is esta0lished due to ne in"ormation or other circumstances1 that datum shall continue ith the ne:t search letter designation "or that case. Su0-areas to 0e searched 0, speci"ic search units <or com0ination o" units= shall 0e num0ered se?uentiall, and associated ith the overall search area 0, preceding the num0er ith the letter designation o" the overall search <A-11 A-#1 etc.=.
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<&his page intentionall, 0lan)=
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Section 3.3 Searc" Planning $aria%les

Search planning is 0ased on a m,riad o" varia0les including environmental "actors1 the nature o" the distress incident1 and the availa0le search plat"orms and their capa0ilities. Search planners can improve the li)elihood o" locating the search o0@ects 0, doing the "ollo ingE Accuratel, estimate the dri"t or total ater current ithin the general search area. Appro:imate the time at hich a distress incident occurred1 and su0se?uentl, the times at changed states1 i.e.1 "rom a disa0led vessel to a ra"t1 to a person in the ater. $etermine the availa0ilit, and capa0ilities o" search and rescue units <SRUs=. Drift Theor4 On average1 the Coast Guard conducts more than .1888 searches annuall,1 at a cost o" a0out A.8+. +ost o" the e:pense is in aircra"t usage. A "i"th o" the searches continue longer than 1# hours. &hese longer searches1 hich usuall, involve multiple resources1 are much more e:pensive than short searches. !n the longer searches1 )no ledge o" the dri"t o" the search o0@ect 0ecomes ver, important to the search planner. !" the search o0@ect is not in the region covered 0, the search1 there is no chance o" "inding the search o0@ect. &hus1 the 0etter the dri"t o" an o0@ect is )no n1 the more li)el, it ill 0e "ound. Shortening the search saves SAR resources1 0ut more importantl,1 a shorter search increases the pro0a0ilit, that the person<s= in distress ill survive. $atum +ar)er 2uo,s <$+2s=1 0oth radio and sel"-locating1 are tools "or determining total ater current in a search area. 'hen using $+2s1 search planners should use their 0est @udgement to estimate the sphere o" in"luence "or hich the $+2 in"ormation is valid. &he sphere o" in"luence is smaller in the vicinit, o" high currents% i.e.1 the Gul" Stream1 *lorida Straits1 or )no n varia0le current areas such as Georges 2an)s o"" o" Ne 4ngland. &ime is also a consideration. +arine science e:perts1 such as those at the !nternational !ce Patrol <!!P= are availa0le to assist in estimates. As a rule1 the sphere o" in"luence should 0e no larger than that "or ater current in"ormation alread, availa0le1 such as s,stem environmental in"ormation provided to CASP. 3.3.1.1 Dat'" .ar er :'o4 *D.:-. Since on-scene ocean currents are so poorl, )no n and hard to predict1 the Coast Guard uses $+2s to provide a measure o" the currents in search areas. Some $+2s no in use are located 0, radio direction "inding <R$*= "rom the search unit1 hich must relocate the R$*>$+2 "or each ocean current estimate. Self0locatin% Dat'" .ar er :'o4s *S6D.:- utiliFe satellite-0ased technolog, to determine 0uo, position. S;$+2s provide "re?uent1 high-resolution position in"ormation independent o" the search unit <search unit does not have to relocate the $+2=. &he S;$+2s dri"t ith the ater mass1 providing high ?ualit, current in"ormation. &he use o" satellite technolog, greatl, reduces the cost o" a position determination in comparison to the cost associated ith the R$*>$+2. <a= S;$+2s ill improve the e""icienc, and e""ectiveness o" Coast Guard SAR operations. &he goal o" the search is to "ind people so the, can 0e saved. &he use o" S;$+2s o""ers the opportunit, o" doing the @o0 0etter1 hile also saving mone,. <0= Search planners should use S;$+2s stations use S;$+2s. 3.3.2 Distress State Transition Planning "or search and rescue cases is complicated 0, uncertaint, over the BstateC o" the search o0@ect. !n man, a,s1 the SAR Controller per"orms as a detective. &his concept is 0est illustrated 0, the "ollo ing e:ample. 3.3.2.1 A "ishing vessel departs 2oston "or a ten-da, "ishing trip south o" Cape Cod. On the third da,1 the vessel 0rea)s do n and 0egins to dri"t1 una0le to contact an,one. On the "i"th da,1 during a severe storm1 the vessel henever possi0le. Planners must speci"icall, re?uest that air hich the search o0@ect
3.3.1
3.3.1.2
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ta)es on ater and 0egins to sin)% the cre a0andons ship into a li"e ra"t. On the si:th da,1 the li"e ra"t capsiFes and the cre 0egins to dri"t in their survival suits. <1= !n this e:ample1 the distressed cra"t changed state "rom a deep dra"t "ishing vessel under a,1 to a deep dra"t "ishing vessel adri"t1 to a li"e ra"t ith drogue1 to several P!'. <#= &he uncertaint, surrounding the times hen these state transitions occurred greatl, increases the comple:it, o" the search planning pro0lem. <3= Search planners should use their 0est estimates "or hen distress state transitions occur in planning searches. 'hen possi0le1 search planners should develop several scenarios that cover all possi0ilities. Search planning tools such as CASP are invalua0le in this regard.
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Section 3.& Initial Response' Searc" Planning' and Searc" Operations

4""ective1 e""icient prosecution o" a SAR incident re?uires ell thought out procedures. Not ever, incident ill develop into a "ull-0lo n SAR case1 0ut ever, case has the potential to greatl, e:pand. Guidance ithin this section ill aid the SAR Controller in developing the thought process "or a rapid and thorough reaction upon receiving noti"ication o" a potential or actual distress. 3.#.1 2ffshore Incidents As de"ined in re"erence <a=1 the Commandant has divided the +aritime SAR area into t o sections1 Atlantic Area and Paci"ic Area Commands1 responsi0le "or e""icient coordination 0et een all SAR regions and sectors ithin their sections. &he Area and $istrict RCCs generall, have responsi0ilit, "or o""shore incidents. 3.#.2 3.#.2.1 Coastal Incidents !nitial Response Search Area. &he Group OPC4N generall, has the responsi0ilit, "or coastal incidents. !" the search o0@ect is not located upon on scene arrival1 the SRU is to assume the distressed vessel is adri"t i" the, did not indicate it as at anchor. $ra a circle ith a 3 N+ radius centered at the last )no n position <;HP=. !" dri"t is considered to 0e signi"icant1 the SRU should estimate the dri"t 0ased on local )no ledge and>or on scene conditions1 and center the 3 N+ circle on the dri"ted ;HP. Ne:t1 dra a s?uare search area ith sideDs tangent to the circle. Orient the search area in the direction o" dri"t1 that is1 in the same direction as the total dri"t vector <*igure 3-#=. !" the reported position o" the distressed cra"t is in shallo ater1 it could 0e at anchor1 and a search do n the dri"t line ma, 0e appropriate. &he SRU shall also )eep the S+C constantl, updated on conditions1 "indings1 and hen nearing completion o" the initial response search. &his direction should not preclude a SRU "rom using an alternate search pattern or area hen it is clearl, indicated <e.g.1 narro ater a, or other ph,sical 0arrier=.
3.#.2.2
!i%'re 302 Initial Res$onse Search Area 3.#.2.3 *irst SRU on scene procedures. Pre-esta0lished operations and search procedures "or the "irst SRU on scene are to immediatel, report the on-scene conditions and "indings to the S+C. !" the o0@ect o" the SAR incident is not initiall, seen <or located=1 0egin appropriate search pattern. <a= *or sur"ace SRUs -- usuall, an e:panding s?uare search <SS= is e:ecuted. !" the search area is con"ined or there is reason to have a high degree o" con"idence "or the selected datum <i.e.1 de0ris "ound=1 the sur"ace SRU ma, use a sector search </S=. *or an initial search1 use the appropriate trac) spacing "rom &a0le 3-1.
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<0= *or helicopter SRUs. 9elicopters are a suita0le plat"orm to e:ecute SS and /S pattern searches. $epending on the pro:imit, to the coast and environmental conditions1 a radius larger than 3 N+ ma, 0e appropriate "or a helicopter during the initial search due to a higher search speed. *or an initial search1 use the appropriate trac) spacing "rom &a0le 3-1. Ta/le 301 Initial Trac S$acin% Initial Trac S$acin% *1.Good Conditions Search O0@ect ind L 1. )ts seas L 3 "t Poor Conditions 'ind M 1. )ts seas M 3 "t 8.1N 8.# 8..
P!' 8.1N L 1. "t 8.. M 1. "t 1.8 N M 8.1 up to SRUs minimum navigational accurac, 3.#.2.#
S+C Action. !n coastal SAR1 the initial datum shall 0e ?uic)l, esta0lished. &he initial datum is determined 0, calculating dri"t using the o0@ect(s last )no n position and the e""ects o" ater current and ind ithout considering lee a, divergence <*igure 3-3=. &ime o" datum must ta)e the under a, and transit times "or the SRU into consideration.
!i%'re 303 7essel Adrift <a= *actors to 0e considered "or esta0lishing this initial datum in coastal conditions are primaril, tidal1 river1 coastal1 longshore and ind driven currents. S+Cs shall maintain data on ater currents applica0le to their local SAR environment. &he annotated 0i0liograph, contained ithin Appendi: + has e:cellent sources o" such in"ormation. <0= ;ocal sources such as marinas1 Coast Guard Au:iliarists1 har0or masters1 sailing and ,acht clu0s1 pilot stations1 oceanographic research institutions1 state "ish and game or par) services1 local sheri"" and marine police1 "ishermen1 marine operations and salvage companies ma, all contri0ute to develop a local data 0ase o" )no ledge. <c= Other re"erences and sources o" in"ormation regarding ater current are outlined in re"erence <a=. Stations and search planners are reminded that one a, to determine ater current and dri"t is 0, using a $+2. <d= An e:tremel, important source o" local1 real-time on-scene environmental data is "ishermen and other 0oaters. &imel,1 on scene environmental data "rom an, source should not 0e overloo)ed. 3.#.2.9 Search Area. !n the coastal environment1 dra ing a 3 N+ radius circle around datum ith resulting search area is usuall, large enough to include most targets i" 3 or less hours have elapsed. !" more than 3 hours have
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elapsed1 or other conditions indicate <position is line>area1 target is un)no n=1 the methods "or determining search area as descri0ed in re"erence <a= should 0e used. 3.#.2.; $etermining the 3 N+ radius. &he purpose o" dra ing a radius around datum is to descri0e the geographical area most li)el, to contain the search o0@ect. One calculation1 "rom re"erence <a=1 determines the radius "or cases hen total mission time <ma:imum time the search o0@ect<s= has possi0l, 0een dri"ting= has not 0een more than - hours. &he "ormula uses the &otal Pro0a0le 4rror <4=1 hich includes the !nitial Position 4rror <O= o" the distressed cra"t and the Navigation 4rror o" the SRU <P=1 0ut does not include $ri"t 4rror <$e=.
*or coastal SAR cases hen a SRU arrives on scene and the search o0@ect is not seen1 a . N+ position error "or the distressed cra"t and a 1 N+ navigation error "or the SRU ma, 0e assumed. Using the "ormula1 hen O Q . N+ and P Q 1N+1 thenE
Appl,ing the sa"et, "actor "or the "irst search <"s Q 1.1=1 thenE
Purel, "or ease o" calculation and plotting 0, initial on scene units1 and past common use>"amiliarit, 0, SAR planners1 the SAR Program has rounded up to 3 N+. 3.#.2.< Search Patterns. &he search patterns1 listed in Appendi: 9 o" re"erence <a= and Chapter . o" re"erence <0=1 can 0e used 0, an, search unit. &he comple:it, o" some ma, preclude their use 0, SRUs ith limited navigational capa0ilit,. &he S?uare Pattern <sometimes called 4:panding S?uare= and Sector Pattern are o"ten the patterns used "or initial search e""orts. &he in"ormation in the "ollo ing paragraphs is provided as an aid to using these t o patterns. A Course and ;eg !denti"ier tool "or these patterns is availa0le and should 0e carried in SRUs "or eas, calculation o" courses and times "or each search pattern leg. &his tool ma, 0e o0tained through the "ederal suppl, s,stem under $4P&. o" &RANSP.1 USCG-P;O&&4R <3-57= SN 5.3881-G*#-7818. <a= S&'are Sin%le 5nit 00 Sierra Sierra *SS-. <1= Use this pattern hen con"ident the datum is ithin close limits. &he "irst leg is normall, in the direction o" the search o0@ect(s dri"t. All course changes are 78 degrees to the right. <#= &he pattern sho n in *igure 3-- has 1 N+ trac) spacing. &he length o" each leg is indicated. *or di""erent trac) spacing1 multipl, the distances sho n in the pattern 0, the desired trac) spacing to "ind the length o" each search leg.
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!i%'re 30# S&'are Pattern: Sin%le 5nit &o determine the time re?uired to transit each leg1 use &a0le 3-#1 S?uare Pattern Computations. 4nter the &a0le ith the trac) spacing and SRU speed. +ultipl, the num0er "rom the &a0le 0, the length o" the search leg sho n in *igure 3-- to get the time re?uired to complete that leg at the given search speed. 4OA+P;4E &rac) spacing Q 3 N+1 speed Q 18 )tsE *ind the length o" the second southerl, leg. SolutionE +ultipl, the length o" the second southerl, leg o" *igure 3-- <-= 0, the 3 N+ trac) spacing to get 1# N+. *ind the time re?uired to complete this search leg. 4:ampleE 4nter &a0le 3-# ith a trac) spacing o" 3 N+ and a search speed o" 18 )nots and read the value G16E88G <16 minutes and Fero seconds=. +ultipl, this value 0, - <leg "actor in *igure 3--=. &he result is 5# minutes to complete the leg.
Ta/le 302 S&'are Pattern Co"$'tations

&rac) Spacing 3 . 6 8.. 18E88 3E88 3E-. 1.8 #8E88 1#E88 5E38 1.. 3.E88 16E88 11E1. #.8 -8E88 #-E88 1.E88 #.. .8E88 38E88 16E-. 3.8 38E88 33E88 ##E38 3.. -#E88 #3E1. -.8 -6E88 38E88 -.. .-E88 33E-. ..8 38E88 35E38 3.8 -.E88 5.8 .#E38 6.8 38E88 NoteE All times in minutes and seconds NoteE !nterpolation ma, 0e used in this ta0le 18 3E88 3E88 7E88 1#E88 1.E88 16E88 #1E88 #-E88 #5E88 38E88 33E88 -#E88 -6E88 Speed <)ts= 1. #E88 -E88 3E88 6E88 18E88 1#E88 1-E88 13E88 16E88 #8E88 #-E88 #6E88 3#E88 #8 1E38 3E88 -E38 3E88 5E38 7E88 18E38 1#E88 13E38 1.E88 16E88 #1E88 #-E88 38 8E38 1E88 1E38 #E88 #E38 3E88 3E38 -E88 -E38 .E88 3E88 5E88 6E88 68 8.##. 8E-. 1E85. 1E38 1E... #E16 #E-8. 3E83 3E#.. 3E-6 -E33 .E16 3E83 78 8E#8 8E-8 1E88 1E#8 1E-8 #E88 #E#8 #E-8 3E88 3E#8 -E88 -E-8 .E#8
<0= Sector Search Patterns. &hese patterns ma, 0e used hen datum is esta0lished ithin close limits and the area to 0e searched is not e:tensive. &he patterns resem0le the spo)es o" a heel and cover circular search areas. $atum is located at the center o" the heel and should 0e mar)ed ith a suita0le "loating mar)er. 2, mar)ing datum1 the SRU has a navigation chec) each time the SRU passes through the center o" the search area. 'hile there are man, t,pes o" sector search patterns1 a si:-sector pattern is usuall, used. !t consists o" three e?uilateral triangles ith one corner o" each triangle at datum. See *igures 3-.
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and 3-3. &he search radius is also the length o" the crossleg. &he trac) spacing ranges "rom Fero at datum to a ma:imum e?ual to the search radius at the end o" each search leg. &his search pattern can 0e used in 0oth single and multi- unit searches. Sector searches have high Pro0a0ilit, o" Success <POS= near datum assuming the o0@ect is in the search area. <1= Sector Search Pattern: Sin%le 5nit 00 7ictor Sierra *7S-1 *igure 3-.. 'hen practical1 the "irst leg o" the search is normall, in the direction o" search o0@ect dri"t. All turns in this pattern are 1#8 degrees to the right. All legs o" the search pattern are e?ual to the chosen radius. Upon completion o" the pattern1 a second pattern is started ith the heading o" the ne "irst leg 38 degrees to the right o" the "inal course o" the "irst pattern.
!i%'re 309 Sector Pattern: Sin%le05nit <#= Sector Search Pattern: T=o05nits 00 7ictor .i e *7.-. &he /+ pattern is used hen t o SRUs are availa0le1 *igure 3-3. As the "irst SRU 0egins a /ictor Sierra search1 the second 0egins its pattern at datum in a direction o" 78 degrees to the le"t o" the "irst leg o" the "irst SRU. !" the SRUs arrive at datum to 0egin the search at the same time1 the second starts at a lo er speed than the "irst. 'hen the "irst SRU is a0out one leg ahead o" the second1 the second accelerates to search speed. &he slo start o" the second SRU prevents the SRUs "rom arriving at datum at the same time. 'hen 0oth have completed one /+ pattern1 the coverage is the same as i" a single SRU had completed t o /S patterns.
!i%'re 30; Sector Pattern: T=o05nit <3= &he sector search pattern 0ecomes too complicated "or more than t o SRUs. 'hen more than t o SRUs are availa0le1 consider using a multi-unit parallel trac) <P+= search pattern1 or dividing the
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search area into smaller areas and conducting single unit searches. Sector search distance and time calculations are as "ollo sE &o determine the distance traveled 0, each SRU completing a sector search1 multipl, the radius <R= 0, nine. <&rac)line Q 7 : R N+= &o determine the &otal &ime <&= "or a search1 multipl, the time <t= "or one leg "rom &a0le 3-3 0, nine. <& Q 7 : t= &o determine &otal Area <A= covered in a search1 s?uare the radius <multipl, the radius <R= 0, itsel"=1 then multipl, the resultant 0, pi <3.1-=. <A Q R : R : 3.1-=
Ta/le 303 Sector Search Co"$'tations

9idden te:t
Radius 3 . 6 18 8.. 3E-. 3E88 1.8 5E38 3E88 3E88 1.. 11E1. 7E88 1#E88 #.8 18E88 1.E88 1#E88 16E88 #.. #8E88 16E-. 1.E88 #-E88 3.8 38E88 ##E38 16E88 38E88 3.. -8E88 #3E1. #1E88 33E88 -.8 .8E88 38E88 #-E88 -#E88 -.. 38E88 33E-. #5E88 -6E88 ..8 35E38 38E88 .-E88 3.8 -.E88 33E88 38E88 5.8 .#E38 -#E88 6.8 38E88 -6E88 NoteE &ime to complete one leg <t= in minutes and seconds NoteE !nterpolation ma, 0e used ith this ta0le
Speed <)ts= 1. #E88 -E88 3E88 6E88 18E88 1#E88 1-E88 13E88 16E88 #8E88 #-E88 #6E88 3#E88
#8 1E38 3E88 -E38 3E88 5E38 7E88 18E38 1#E88 13E38 1.E88 16E88 #1E88 #-E88
38 8E38 1E88 1E38 #E88 #E38 3E88 3E38 -E88 -E38 .E88 3E88 5E88 6E88
68 8.##. 8E-. 1E85. 1E38 1E... #E16 #E-8. 3E83 3E#.. 3E-6 -E33 .E16 3E83
78 8E#8 8E-8 1E88 1E#8 1E-8 #E88 #E#8 #E-8 3E88 3E#8 -E88 -E-8 .E#8
3.#.2.>
$escri0ing Search Areas. Search areas are descri0ed through various methods "alling ithin the general categories o" Corner Point1 2oundar,1 &rac)line1 Center Point1 Grid1 and Geore". Chapter . o" re"erence <a= provides a "ull description o" each o" these methods. !n addition1 the speci"ic methods 0elo ma, 0e use"ul. <a= Center Point-;andmar). &he center point1 or datum1 ma, 0e designated 0, a 0earing and distance "rom a geographic landmar). *or e:ampleE $atum 0ears 838 degrees +1 18 N+ "rom GPort AlphaG South Rett, light1 ma@or a:is 888 degrees +1 3 N+ 0, 3 N+ <*igure 3-5=.
!i%'re 30< Center Point06and"ar
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<0= ;andmar) 2oundaries +ethod. & o or more landmar)s are given as 0oundaries o" the search area along a shoreline. *or e:ampleE Search area "rom GPort AlphaG South Rett,1 south to the &o er to 18 N+ o""shore <*igure 3-6=.
!i%'re 30> 6and"ar :o'ndaries .ethod 3.#.2.? Trac S$acin%. &rac) spacing <S= is the distance 0et een ad@acent parallel search legs. &he desired trac) spacing is a "unction o" corrected s eep idth1 hich is a measure o" detection capa0ilit, and ill var, ith search target t,pe and environmental conditions. &he more di""icult a target is to detect1 the closer together the search legs should 0e.
12T3: !n dar)ness or e:tremel, lo visi0ilit,1 sur"ace search cra"t should periodicall, stop their engines and conduct an auditor, search. !" it is )no n or i" there is a high pro0a0ilit, that the P!' has night detection aids1 a search ma, 0e conducted ith trac) spacing compati0le ith the s eep idth "or the t,pe o" detection aid. <a= &rac) Spacing 0, target t,pe1 siFe and search unit. $etection capa0ilit, also varies 0, search unit. &he &a0les and Graphs in Appendi: 9 sho the uncorrected visual s eep idths "or search plat"orms "or certain targets and correction "actors "or eather1 "atigue and altitude in the case o" aircra"t. &he most "re?uent search plat"orms used 0, Coast Guard resources "or coastal SAR cases are small cutters <'P2=1 0oats <+;2>U&2>U&+=1 and helicopters <99-3.>99-38R=. !t is recommended that Coast Guard units should cop, and laminate the appropriate ta0les "rom Appendi: 9 "or each SRU and include them in the SRU pilot or co:s ain )it as a ?uic) on scene re"erence "or initial searching hile more thorough search planning is 0eing conducted. <0= Persons in the 'ater <P!'s=. !n most cases1 a trac) spacing o" 8.1 N+ is the lo er practical limit "or accurate sur"ace navigation1 and is recommended "or coastal sur"ace P!' searches. 9elicopter SRUs should use 8.1 N+ "or unassisted visual searches. 3.#.3 !lare Incidents
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No that *ederal la re?uires "lares on all vessels1 assistance cases are routinel, a""ected as a result o" response to "lare sightings. &he nature o" "lare distress signaling ma)es planning and e:ecution o" searches di""icult due toE the ide variation o" "lare t,pes% possi0le altitudes% the s)ill level and position o" the reporting source>o0server% the eather% and several other "actors. *or that reason1 the accurac, o" the initial in"ormation received "rom a reporting source and>or o0server is most critical. As ith all SAR cases1 a prompt1 thorough and proper response ,ields the greatest chance o" e""ecting a rescue. Other ise1 the search planner ma, have no choice 0ut to dispatch SRUs to search a large area to account "or long range sighting possi0ilities. *or e:ample1 a hand-held "lare in a recreational 0oat seen on the horiFon 0, a 0each o0server ill 0e appro:imatel, - N+ a a, hile a parachute "lare rising to 1#88 "eet and seen on the horiFon 0, the same 0each o0server could 0e more than 38 N+ a a,. Speci"ic policies regarding response to "lare incidents "ollo . Guidance on evaluating and planning "or distress "lare incidents is provided in Appendi: !. 3.#.3.1 Red and oran%e flares and $4rotechnics are recogniFed as marine and aviation emergenc, signals and shall 0e treated as a distress and responded to unless availa0le in"ormation indicates other ise. Unresolved <insu""icient in"ormation to either close or suspend= red or orange "lares re?uire "irst-light searches. Searches and "ollo -up searches o" other than red or orange "lares ill depend on the speci"ics o" the case. &hese sightings should 0e care"ull, investigated to determine the appropriate level o" response. Initial Search 2/@ect. 'hen a "lare is o0served at night1 the initial search o0@ect should 0e the distress signaling device unless other in"ormation indicates a speci"ic o0@ect1 such as the reporting source o0serving the point o" origin <vessel1 P!'1 etc.=. <a= !" search o0@ect dri"t is re?uired1 the same provisions "or target dri"t "or "irst light searches should 0e "ollo ed. <0= &he provisions o" section 3.-..1 su0se?uent night searches. hich covers night and reduced visi0ilit, searches1 should guide
3.#.3.2 3.#.3.3
<c= 'hen a "lare is o0served in the da,1 the guidance provided "or "irst light search o0@ects should 0e "ollo ed. 3.#.3.3 !irst 6i%ht Search 2/@ect. 'hen planning a "irst light search "ollo ing a "lare sighting1 in the a0sence o" local in"ormation on pro0a0le search o0@ects1 the planner should use the "actors "or dri"t associated ith the o0@ect listed in &a0le 9-3 asE po er vessel>sport 0oats>cudd, ca0in >modi"ied v-hull. A similar o0@ect "or s eep idth should 0e chosen <po er 0oat #8 "oot= unless local in"ormation ould @usti", another o0@ect. Distress :eacon Incidents $istress 0eacons are one o" the most important tools availa0le to SAR authorities. &he various distress 0eacon s,stems are covered in Chapter 3 o" re"erence <a= and Section #.1.1.- o" this Addendum. 3.#.#.1 Ris .ana%e"ent Re%ardin% Re"ote Alert Positions. !n some instances1 the indicated position "or an alert is so signi"icantl, distant "rom availa0le SAR resources that it is impractical to immediatel, dispatch resources to assist. Similarl,1 there are situations in hich distress alert in"ormation is s)etch, and the immediate dispatch o" SAR resources ould @eopardiFe the sa"et, o" others or leave a relativel, large area o" responsi0ilit, <AOR= ithout SAR coverage. !n these situations1 RCCs should spend a reasona0le amount o" time investigating and evaluating the situation prior to dispatching resources. Additionall,1 RCCs ma, attempt to alert alternative resources <e.g.1 Good Samaritans1 Amver participants1 other agencies1 etc.=1 hich ma, 0e in a position to assist. Res$onse Polic4. !n response to 0eacon alerts1 RCCs should consider all availa0le in"ormation such as position in"ormation1 registration in"ormation1 and the presence o" corro0orating in"ormation. RCCs should evaluate reports and attempt to correlate them ith other indications o" distress. Concurrentl,1 the, should attempt to o0tain additional in"ormation on those involved. RCCs should e:pand their investigations as necessar, to aggressivel, pursue the cause o" alert signals and dispatch resources to assist1 as circumstances re?uire. &,pes o" 0eacon alerts and response polic, guidance are presented in &a0le 3-- 0elo .
3.#.#
3.#.#.2
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Ta/le 30# :eacon Alert and Corres$ondin% 3"er%enc4 Phase ,idden te+t 24ACON A;4R& 4+4RG4NCP P9AS4 1#1..>#-3 +9F Second Composite alert -83.8#. +9F G4O registered alert !nitiall, evaluate as $istress -83.8#. +9F ;4O BAC solution alert -83.8#. +9F ;4O registered1 unlocated alert 1#1..>#-3 +9F *irst report o" audi0le alert !nitiall, evaluate as Alert. !nvestigate1 reevaluate and 1#1..>#-3 +9F *irst Composite alert respond as "acts and circumstances arrant. N-83.8#. +9F ;4O B2C solution alert ith pro0a0ilities M#8S 1#1..>#-3 +9F "irst alert !nitiall, evaluate as Uncertaint,. !nvestigate1 reevaluate and respond as "acts and circumstances N-83.8#. +9F ;4O B2C solution alert ith arrant. pro0a0ilities L#8S NAll B2C solutions should 0e coordinated ith the BAC solution cogniFant RCC in evaluating and>or responding to alert>distress candidate B2C solutions. Al a,s chec) vessel t,pe>description and homeport>registration POC data against alert position. &his practice can help "lag correct B2C solutions. <a= Audi0le 0eacon alerts don(t al a,s indicate distress. 9istoricall,1 man, o" these alerts have 0een "alse alarms resulting "rom hard aircra"t landings or caused 0, cre error during vessel maintenance. Reports o" audi0le 0eacon alerts indicate a 0eacon has 0een activated. SAR response to an audi0le 0eacon signal should 0e similar to the t,pe o" response provided "or "lare sightings. !n cases here Coast Guard resources hear the 0eacon1 the, normall, respond immediatel, and determine the signal source. +ost other audi0le signal reports come "rom commercial aircra"t and ill help determine general 0eacon location. <0= #A;.A29 .,B :eacon C2SPAS0SARSAT Alerts. Since 17781 the marine communit, has 0een moving 4P!R2s to a solel, dedicated "re?uenc, "or satellite distress 0eacons1 -83.8#. +9F. Use o" this "re?uenc, ill minimiFe inter"erence pro0lems. !n addition1 satellite so"t are recogniFes and rela,s onl, coded -83 +9F 0eacon signals1 minimiFing "alse alerts. &he Coast Guard endorses the -83.8#. +9F 4P!R2 as the pre"erred 0eacon t,pe. Accordingl,1 response to -83.8#. +9F 0eacon alerts is immediate1 )eeping in mind the precepts o" ris) management. <1= *irst alerts and composite solutions "or -83 +9F 0eacons indicate a 0eacon has 0een activated. SAR response to a -83 +9F 0eacon alert should appro:imate response to a +AP$AP. &he -83 +9F COSPAS-SARSA& s,stem and e?uipment ,ield high con"idence alerts and positions. 9o ever1 "actors such as satellite pass geometr,1 atmospheric anomalies1 and 0eacon oscillator sta0ilit, ma, degrade the 0eacon signal and position data. An, alert degradation is usuall, re"lected in the split 0et een A and 2 solution pro0a0ilities on "irst alert messages. <#= Re%istered /'t 5nlocated #A; .,B Alerts. &reat registered1 0ut unlocated -83 +9F alerts as distress1 e:ploit all reasona0le means to ascertain distress position and assist the part, in distress1 including issuing a U+!2. Registered1 0ut unlocated -83 +9F alerts signal distress1 0ut contain no position in"ormation. !n order to render assistance e must e:ploit all reasona0le means to ascertain at least a general distress position. Armed ith a general position or usual operating area and suita0le homing capa0le response assets1 e are a0le to render timel,1 e""ective assistance. 4P!R2 registration points o" contact are usuall, the most promising leads "or in"ormation1 particularl, "or position1 situation and "urther points o" contact. !n addition1 U+!2s should 0e used as a means to determine distress position and to ma:imiFe resource o" opportunit, response1 unless there are compelling reasons to the contrar,. 'hen onl, general position in"ormation is availa0le1 suita0le aircra"t should 0e launched to e:ploit the -83 +9F 0eacon(s 1#1.. homing signal. *or incidents here no position in"ormation other than homeport is availa0le1 issuing a U+!2 in the vessel(s homeport area is appropriate.
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<3= 9AC9A S$lit Sol'tions. .8>.8 splits are no di""erent then other A>2 solutions and merel, indicate the relative pro0a0ilit, is "or either solution to 0e the actual location o" the 0eacon. <c= 121.9C2#3 .,B :eacon C2SPAS0SARSAT Alerts. 1#1..>#-3 +9F "irst alerts and even composite solutions don(t al a,s indicate a 0eacon has 0een activated. On average onl, 1S o" "irst alerts are actual distresses. Spurious signal detections1 due mainl, to non-0eacon emissions1 cause numerous "alse alerts. Spurious signal sources include voice transmissions on 1#1..>#-3 +9F1 garage door openers1 micro ave transmissions1 pachin)o machines1 satellite &/ s,stems1 computers and other s,stems. <1= 2ecause o" their high "alse alert and "alse alarm rates1 1#1..>#-3 +9F *irst Alerts1 in and o" themselves1 initiate the Uncertaint, 4mergenc, Phase. RCCs should aggressivel, attempt to corro0orate 1#1..>#-3 +9F "irst alerts ith an, other potential distress in"ormation. RCCs should normall, dispatch resources hen the, o0tain ampli",ing in"ormation such as high"lier audi0le reports and overdue or other distress reports. *ollo ing a "irst alert1 RCCs ill normall, receive a composite solution1 provided the 0eacon continues to transmit1 ithin -6 minutes <average range "rom 38 - 78 minutes=. <#= &he "irst Composite solution "rom a 1#1..>#-3 +9F 0eacon alert corresponds1 at a minimum1 to the Alert 4mergenc, Phase. RCCs should trac) the geographic position o" composite solutions and respond accordingl,. 'hile composite solutions located at or near local airports are o"ten nondistress1 some have 0een caused 0, unreported aircra"t crashes. A Second composite solution "rom a 1#1..>#-3 +9F 0eacon alert corresponds1 at a minimum1 to the $istress 4mergenc, Phase. <d= Alert D'er4 Re$orts. !n pursuing ampli",ing distress in"ormation1 RCCs ma, ?uer, the US+CC data0ase to see hether or not a particular -83 +9F 0eacon has 0een activated1 or to chec) "or all 0eacon activations over a speci"ic time period or in a speci"ic area. RCCs ma, do so 0, re?uesting an Alert Tuer, Report "rom the US+CC. &he US+CC user(s manual1 re"erence <r=1 has more in"ormation on this process and guidelines "or interpreting these reports. <e= 6i"itations of the S4ste". As ith an, tool1 search planners must 0e a are o" s,stem limitations. *alse alarms <inadvertent activations or hoa:es=1 non-0eacon alerts1 and unresolved 0eacon alerts reduce the e""icienc, o" the C-S s,stem. Operator misuse1 e?uipment mal"unctions1 improper testing1 and hoa:es ma, do ngrade 0eacon e""ectiveness. Unresolved alerts are predominantl, associated ith 1#1..>#-3 +9F1 hich is a congested aviation distress "re?uenc,. !n addition1 man, "alse alerts are caused 0, non0eacon emissions1 harmonics emanating "rom transmissions on those "re?uencies1 and numerous other signal sources in this "re?uenc, 0and. 'hile 1#1..>#-3 +9F 0eacon alerts provide t o e?uall, possi0le 0eacon positions1 re?uiring the RCC to ait "or another satellite pass prior to dispatching resources1 the A solution on a -83 +9F "irst alert ill 0e the correct position 7.S o" the time. SAR resources can reasona0l, 0e dispatched immediatel, upon receipt o" a -83 +9F "irst alert. A composite solution ill 0e received1 provided the 0eacon continues to transmit1 usuall, ithin 38 minutes <average range "rom -. - 78 minutes=. &a0le 3-. compares 1#1..>#-3 +9F and -83 +9F 0eacons. 3.#.#.3 Polic4 on !ollo=0'$ to !alse Alar"s. Results o" 0eacon activation investigations are essential to improve the s,stem. Units should ensure personnel aggressivel, pursue and document the cause o" all accidental and inadvertent 0eacon alerts. <a= 9istoricall,1 pro0lem areas include 0rac)et "ailures1 improper s itch setting and mar)ing1 operator error1 and ater intrusion. *alse alarm in"ormation o0tained 0, the Coast Guard should 0e passed to 0eacon manu"acturers to improve 0eacon>0rac)et design or to improve national and international standards.
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Ta/le 309 #A; .,B and 121.9 .,B :eacons Co"$arison Ta/le
#A; .,B :eacons Co)era%e: Glo0al Relia/ilit4 00 !alse AlertsC!alse Alar"s: All alerts come "rom 0eacons. Satellite 0eacon transmissions are digital1 coded signals. Satellites process onl, coded data1 other signals are re@ected. A0out 1 in 18 alerts are actual distresses. !ndividual 0eacon-uni?ue coding and registration allo rapid incident corro0oration. A0out 58S o" -83 +9F 0eacons are registered. +ore than 68S o" -83 +9F "alse alarms are resolved 0, a phone call. Alertin%: *irst alert con"idence is su""icient to arrant launch o" SAR assets. 4arlier launches put assets on scene earlierUaverage # hrs saved in maritime1 3 hrs in inland. &hese savings are survival signi"icant. 4stimates put -83 +9F 4;& lives saved potential at more than 188 per ,ear in the U.S. alone. Average initial detection>alerting 0, or0iting satellites is a0out -. minutes -- orst case a0out 38 minutes. Average time 0et een su0se?uent satellite passes is a0out 38 minutes. /essel>aircra"t !$1 point o" contact in"ormation provided ith alerts allo s rapid corro0oration or stand-do n. Allo s "alse alarm "ollo -up to continuousl, improve s,stem integrit,>relia0ilit,. Near instantaneous detection 0, geostationar, satellites. Position Infor"ation: #-. )m accurac, on average. Position calculated 0, doppler shi"t anal,sis. Capa0le o" processing 0eacon transmitted position in"ormation "rom independent source1 e.g.E GPS. 6ocatin% the Tar%et: Superior alert position accurac, limits initial position uncertaint, to a0out -8 s?. )m. 1#1.. +9F homing signal "acilitates target location 0, radio detection "inder e?uipped search units. Co)era%e: Ground station dependent% ground stations have an e""ective radius o" a0out 1688N+. Current coverageE a0out one-third o" the orld. Relia/ilit4 00 !alse AlertsC!alse Alar"s: Onl, a0out 1 in - alerts come "rom 0eacons. Satellites cannot discern 0eacon sources "rom man, non-0eacon 1#1.. +9F sources. *e er than 1 in 188 alerts are actual distress. 1#1.. +9F 0eacons transmit anon,mousl,. &he onl, a, to ascertain the situation is to dispatch resources to investigate -- a costl, disadvantage. Alertin%: 9igh "alse alarm rate ma)es "irst-alert launch in"easi0le. A0sent independent distress corro0oration RCCs must ait "or additional alert in"ormation. 1#1.. +9F 0eacon launch decisions ta)e si: hours longer than "or -83 +9F 0eacons on average <0ased on inland region data=. Almost hal" o" aviation accident survivors perish in the "irst si: hours a"ter the incident. Same as -83 +9F Same as -83 +9F Alerts are anon,mous. 1#1.. +9F technolog, not capa0le o" transmitting data. No capa0ilit, No capa0ilit, Position Infor"ation: 18-#8 )m accurac, on average. Position calculated 0, doppler shi"t anal,sis. No capa0ilit, 6ocatin% the Tar%et: !nitial position uncertaint, is a0out 588 s?. )m. on average. Same as -83 +9F 121.9 .,B :eacons
<0= !n all cases1 investigating personnel should educate 0eacon users on proper registration procedures and 0eacon usage. Coast Guard personnel should "ollo guidance in re"erence <o= and other appropriate directives in reporting all incidents to the *CC1 advising them o" the incident and o" the actions ta)en. !n the case o" "irst-time o""enders1 the $istrict Commander in hich the vessel is registered should send an administrative letter to the o ner e:pressing concern "rom a SAR and sa"et, perspective. &his letter should remind them o" the importance o" up-to-date 0eacon registration <"or -83 +9F and other GregisteredG 0eacons=1 and user training and )no ledge o" 4P!R2 and 4;& s,stems. !n the case o" repeat o""enders1 close coordination ith the 0eacon o ner and the manu"acturer can help identi", 0eacon pro0lems and operator errors.
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3.#.#.#
Re%istrationC!ollo=0'$ Polic4. All Coast Guard and Coast Guard Au:iliar, units should have spare -83 +9F 4P!R2 registration cards "or users to "ill out and mail to the US+CC. A sample registration card is in Appendi: R. It is "andator4 for the o=ner to re%ister the #A; .,B /eacon. Coast Guard personnel shall provide registration cards and encouragement "or o ners to complete their 0eacon registrations. !n addition1 units should rela, registration in"ormation to the US+CC. Other 0eacon t,pes are registered in various a,s. Units should strongl, encourage 0eacon o ners to GregisterG as soon as possi0le. I"$ro$er 5se of 3PIR:S as D.:s. 4P!R2s are distress /eacons. As such1 search planners shall not normall, use them as $+2s. 'hile it ma, seem convenient at times to leave an 4P!R2 dri"ting to mar) datum during a SAR case1 that 0eacon(s signal ma, prevent another distress 0eacon "rom 0eing properl, trac)ed or heard. <a= S;$+2s are the appropriate tools "or mar)ing datum in e:tended search cases. 'hen located1 4P!R2s shall 0e recovered and1 henever necessar, and possi0le1 S;$+2s deplo,ed in the same position to mar) datum. Standard radio $+2s or) "airl, ell hen no S;$+2s are availa0le. <0= !n situations here the 4P!R2 is the onl, means o" mar)ing datum1 close coordination 0et een the S+C and the US+CC ill 0e re?uired.
3.#.#.9
3.#.9
1i%ht and Red'ced 7isi/ilit4 Searches Reduced visi0ilit,1 either due to night or eather1 signi"icantl, reduces the e""ectiveness o" a search1 particularl, "or o0@ects that are not readil, located using radar or other electronic sensors. *or planning and conducting searches during night or under other ise reduced visi0ilit, conditions1 the "ollo ing guidance is provided.
3.#.9.1
Ti"eliness. !n addition to SAR incidents occurring at night1 it is common "or incidents to occur to ards the end o" the da, hen mariners are returning <or due to return= "rom a da, on the ater. A rapid response ith a "ull search using the remaining da,light ma, o0viate the need "or a night search. *or searches ith reduced visi0ilit, in da,light hours1 getting search units into the area rapidl, ill provide some search coverage and "acilitate a rapid resumption o" "ull search capa0ilit, should conditions improve. Search 'nits. &he choice o" search units1 air or sur"ace1 depends greatl, on sa"et, o" operations under the given conditions1 the search o0@ect1 and the sensors availa0le on the various search units. <a= 'ith reduced visi0ilit, it is imperative to emplo, those search units conditions. ith the 0est sensors "or the
3.#.9.2
<0= &he e:pected duration o" reduced visi0ilit, conditions ill also dictate1 to some degree1 the choice o" search units. !" reduced visi0ilit, is e:pected "or onl, a short period1 sur"ace units ma, proceed into the search area immediatel, hile air units1 hich can arrive more rapidl,1 ma, 0e timed to arrive hen conditions are improved. *or reduced visi0ilit, o" longer duration1 the decision to use sur"ace and air search units ill 0e more dependent on search o0@ect1 the sensors availa0le on each search unit1 and the e""ectiveness o" those sensors "or e:isting eather conditions. <c= &here ma, 0e times hen conditions do not permit units to conduct a search such as severe storms. Although not a0le to e""ectivel, search1 deplo,ing a sur"ace unit in the search area read, to respond rapidl, to a signal or chance sighting should 0e considered. 'hen this occurs1 ris) management mitigation strategies must 0e emplo,ed. <d= Heeping a search unit in the area during reduced visi0ilit, is also important "or survivor con"idence. Sighting a search unit in the area lets survivors )no the search is still on and ill 0olster their ill to live. 3.#.9.2 Search o/@ect. &he a0ilit, to detect an o0@ect is 0ased on the sensors availa0le on assigned search units. $epending on the incident and sensors availa0le1 the primar, search o0@ect ma, 0e something other then the overall o0@ect o" the search.
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<a= Unaided visual searches at night ill not readil, detect unlit o0@ects. 4ven large vessels ma, 0e hard to detect i" not illuminated and smaller o0@ects such as ra"ts and persons in the ater are nearl, impossi0le to see. Under such conditions the primar, search o0@ect should 0e a night signaling device <"lare1 stro0e1 light=. <0= 4nhanced visual searches using night vision goggles under "avora0le conditions ill permit searchers to )eep a P!' or small cra"t as the primar, search o0@ect. &he night vision goggles can ta)e advantage o" less 0right light sources and re"lective sur"aces or materials. <c= Night searches "ollo ing a "lare should have a primar, search o0@ect o" additional signaling devices. Sensors "or other then visual search should also 0e utiliFed so that o0@ects o" interest ithin the search area ma, 0e investigated. 3.#.9.3 Search tactics. Searchers should utiliFe all possi0le means o" detecting search o0@ects1 visual1 electronic1 and aural. &hese tactics are dependent on accurate search planning and coordination. &he "ollo ing should 0e considered in the planning and conduct o" a reduced visi0ilit, searchE <a= &he S+C should 0e "ull, a are o" on scene conditions1 as searches 0egin and an, changes that occur during the search. Search units should pass to the S+C <or OSC i" one is assigned=1 conditions upon arrival on scene and an, changes. &his in"ormation is critical to assigning appropriate trac) spacing to achieve the desired search results. <0= At night all unnecessar, lighting on search units should 0e secured1 electronics lighting should 0e shi"ted to lo light mode to minimiFe glare on the inside o" indo s and to preserve night vision. <c= !" the distressed cra"t or survivors are )no n to have distress signals1 it is important "or search units to ma)e their presence )no n in hopes o" getting the survivors to signal. O"ten the navigation lights alone ma, not 0e enough and additional lighting <0lue light1 search light= ma, 0e necessar, to get a response. &his tactic ma, 0e most appropriate "or earl, on searches. &he need to limit e:cess light "or night vision considerations ma, 0e more appropriate "or later searches here there has 0een ample opportunit, "or survivors to discharge or use an, signaling devices. <d= !" a de0ris "ield is discovered1 it ma, 0e appropriate "or search cre s to use lights or "lares to illuminate the area to ena0le a 0etter visual search o" the concentrated area. &his ma, mean sacri"icing night vision "or the cre in hopes o" spotting P!'s or re"lective material that the lights ma, illuminate. <e= Am0ient light sources should 0e e:ploited in a search. <1= 'ith 0right shoreline lights1 light colored o0@ects or o0@ects ith re"lective material in particular ma, 0e illuminated enough "or the unaided e,e to detect1 hile detection using N/Gs ill 0e greatl, improved. <#= A "ull or near "ull moon can also provide enough light "or the unaided e,e to detect a target and greatl, improves N/G e""ectiveness. &he re"lection o" the moon on the ater also can 0e used to search "or o0@ects as it BmovesC across the sur"ace ith the search unitDs motion. &his is particularl, e""ective in calm conditions ith the moon lo in the s),. <3= ;arge 0ac)lit o0@ects ma, also provide a detecti0le pro"ile hen searching along a ell-lit shoreline. <"= 4lectronic sensors should 0e set according to search o0@ect as discussed in 3.-.3 0elo . <g= On sur"ace search units the engines should 0e secured <0rought to idle i" securing not possi0le= and all other noise minimiFed in order to call out to and hear calls "rom survivors. &his is a particularl, good practice hen encountering a de0ris "ield or at regular intervals even though no de0ris is present. <h= Search units should chec) 0uo,s and "i:ed aids in the vicinit,. P!'s ma, s im to something that "loats or provides them some "orm o" sta0ilit,. 3.#.; 3lectronic Sensors and Sensor Searches
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3.#.;.1
S'rface 7essel Radar. Appendi: 9 contains recommended s eep idth ta0les "or sur"ace vessel radar. !n addition1 the "ollo ing in"ormation should 0e considered hen planning searches utiliFing sur"ace vessel radarsE <a= &he e""ective search range o" radars varies greatl,. <&he AN>SPS-3-</= "or small targets than the AN>SPS-33 model.= as "ound to 0e more e""ective
<0= &he AN>SPS-3-</= and AN>SPS-33 models 0oth provided 0etter search per"ormance at the 3 N+ scale than the 3 N+ scale. <c= Radar range s eep idths "or small targets should onl, 0e applied in lo sea states. <d= Radar re"lective devices signi"icantl, improved target detection pro0a0ilit,. <e= &he decision o" hether or not to utiliFe the sur"ace vessel radar in a search1 especiall, i" it re?uires dedicating a cre person ho could 0e used "or visual search1 should 0e 0ased on a comparison o" the radar s eep idth to those "or other availa0le sensors. Sur"ace radar searches ill generall, 0e pre"erred hen visi0ilit, is poor1 sea state is lo to moderate1 and the target is e?uipped ith a radar re"lector. Radar s eep idths deteriorate rapidl, ith the onset o" precipitation and>or seas o" greater than - "eet. <"= /isual scanners should concentrate on the area in the immediate vicinit, o" the search unit during lo visi0ilit, radar searches to avoid missing targets that pass through the area o" heav, sea return. 3.#.;.2 !or=ard06oo in% Air/orne Radars *!6AR-. &he Coast Guard Research and $evelopment Center has conducted research on Coast Guard "i:ed ing aircra"t to determine detection capa0ilities o" *;ARs "or SAR operations. *rom detection data collected under realistic search scenarios estimates o" s eep idth have 0een calculated. Appendi: 9 includes the recommended s eep idths "or the AN>APS-1351 AN>APN-#1.1 AN>APS-1#51 and R$R-1388. <a= &he AN>APS-135 radar1 installed on the Coast Guard(s 9C-138 "leet1 as evaluated "or SAR target detection during three "ield tests conducted 0, the Coast Guard RJ$ Center and ere reported on in Coast Guard RJ$ Reports CG-$-1--731 CG-$-85-7-1 and CG-$-16-7-. &he AN>APS-135 *;AR is an O-0and1 air-to-sur"ace !nverse S,nthetic Aperture Radar <!SAR= that provides high resolution1 smalltarget detection1 eather avoidance1 sea surveillance1 and $oppler displa,. &he AN>APS-135 s,stem has special selecta0le "eatures that enhance s,stem per"ormance against ea) targets. S eep idth recommendations "or conducting and planning AN>APS-135 <aircra"t= SAR searches are provided in Appendi: 9. <0= &he R$R-1388 model radar is "ound on the 99-3. and 99-38R aircra"t. &his radar is compara0le to the APS-#1. and the s eep idth ta0les corresponding to the APS-#1. are applica0le "or searches conducted using the R$R-1388 radar. 3.#.;.3 Side06oo in% Air/orne Radar *S6AR-. Side-loo)ing air0orne radar is installed on some Coast Guard "i:ed ing aircra"t. &he AN>APS-13. model is currentl, installed on t o C-138s at CGAS1 4liFa0eth Cit, and the AN>APS-131 model is "ound on the 9U-#.2s at CGAS1 Cape Cod. &he main di""erence 0et een the models is the length o" the antenna. <a= &he AN>APS-131 model S;AR on the 9U-#.2 aircra"t is part o" the A!R4P4 s,stem. &he A!R4P4 s,stem as developed primaril, as an oil pollution surveillance resource. &he s,stem includes in"rared>ultraviolet <!R>U/= line scanning device and a HS-652 Aerial +apping camera. &he !R>U/ and camera have ver, limited applica0ilit, to SAR. 'hen doing electronic searches the 9U-#.2 aircra"t should rel, on the AN>APS-131 in com0ination ith its *;AR1 the AN>APS-1#51 and not the !R>U/ or mapping camera. <0= Recommended s eep idths "or S;AR on Coast Guard aircra"t are sho n in Appendi: 9. Speci"ic "indings o" the research that are o" interest to SAR planners areE <1= S;AR models tested are capa0le o" detecting 168-"oot ships nearl, 188S o" the time in seas up to at least 3 "eet and ranges up to 38 N+.
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<#= &argets as small as 13-"oot 0oats ith metal e?uipment <engine1 gas tan)s1 "rames1 etc.= can 0e detected 0etter than 78S o" the time in seas less than 3 "eet and 38S - .8S o" the time in seas o" 3-3 "eet. &hese targets can 0e detected in lo sea states out to the 38 N+ s ath idth limit. <3= *our to ten person li"e ra"ts can 0e detected -8S to 58S o" the time in seas less than 3 "eet1 0ut can 0e detected less than 1.S o" the time in seas o" 3 to 3 "eet. <c= Presentl, these S;AR e?uipped aircra"t are the primar, ice0erg surveillance plat"orms "or the !nternational !ce Patrol. <d= S;AR has limited use during a search. S;AR is essentiall, an aerial surve,ing s,stem. &o ade?uatel, surve, an area1 the aircra"t must "l, level and straight. &he S;AR aircra"t or other SRUs can then identi", the resultant S;AR "ilmDs targets. 3.#.;.# !or=ard06oo in% Infrared S4ste" *!6IR-. *;!R data as collected in e:periments conducted 0, the Coast Guard Research and $evelopment Center. &hese studies tested the Northrop Corporation Sea9a ) *;!R s,stem1 hich is not 0eing carried on an, Coast Guard aircra"t. Chapter - o" this Addendum lists hich Coast Guard aircra"t carr, *;!R capa0ilit,. <a= 4:tensive testing o" *;!R as a SAR search resource ith various targets has not 0een conducted. *;!R has a ver, narro "ield o" vie . +ost units operate ith a 5-1. degree "ield o" vie . Recommended s eep idths and altitudes "or use o" *;!R are contained in Appendi: 9. S eep idths should not e:ceed the e""ective aFimuthal coverage o" the s,stem in use. Appendi: 9 also contains illustrations o" ho to estimate a s eep idth "or a *;!R unit. 3.#.;.9 1i%ht 7ision 8o%%les *178-. +an, SAR incidents occur or 0ecome )no n to the Coast Guard during the a"ternoon or night. &he greatest 0ene"it o" N/G is that this sensor ena0les searchers to conduct e""ective searches at night1 thus search planners ill not have to ait until "irst light the "ollo ing da, to 0egin e""ective visual searches. &his ill increase the pro0a0ilit, o" survival "or those persons in distress. Research sho ed N/G searches "rom U&2s are not recommended 0ecause the loo)outs are prone to seasic)ness hen using N/G1 0ut the, are e""ective "rom aircra"t. S eep 'idth &a0les "or N/G Searches are provided in Appendi: 9. Photo Reconnaissance S'$$ort. Photo reconnaissance is one resource that ma, have limited 0ene"it in locating those in distress in a large maritime search area. Aircra"t e?uipped "or high"l,ing photograph, include the Coast Guard 9U-#.2 ith a HS-652 camera and U.S. Air *orce aircra"t. <a= 9igh "l,ing reconnaissance aircra"t have the capa0ilit, o" covering large areas1 up to #81888 s?uare nautical miles "or e:ample1 ith photographs that are developed and interpreted 0, technicians. !" the s), is cloud "ree1 the cameras cover the area thoroughl,% ho ever1 speciall, trained technicians have to search the photographs1 not unli)e a cre mem0er on a search aircra"t. <0= &he technicians thoroughl, revie the photographs loo)ing "or the search o0@ect% di""icult and timeconsuming or). !nterpreting technicians have little e:perience ith photographs o" open ocean1 since the, usuall, loo) "or ground sites using various re"erence points such as roads1 "orests1 communities1 etc. &here are no such re"erence points at sea and this ma)es the Gphotograph searchG more di""icult. Also1 the, are o"ten un"amiliar ith hat search o0@ects loo) li)e "rom the air "or identi"ication purposes. &he success"ul outcome o" a search 0, these reconnaissance aircra"t is solel, dependent on the interpreting technician "inding the o0@ect. <c= !n past SAR cases1 the Coast Guard has re?uested Air *orce aircra"t use colored "ilm. &hese re?uests ere made under the assumption that the search o0@ects ill 0e more easil, "ound due to the color contrast ith the sur"ace o" the ater than 0, the contrast on 0lac) and hite "ilm. Some limited testing 0, the Air *orce as done ith color "ilm and high altitude aircra"t during 1765. &hese tests ere conducted under ideal eather conditions ith minimal cloud cover and )no n targets in "i:ed positions. !t as determined that small1 0rightl, colored o0@ects1 such as a one-man ,ello li"e ra"t could 0e detected1 0ut dar) o0@ects ere more di""icult to "ind1 and a one-man 0lac) li"e ra"t "ailed to 0e detected at all. 2lac) and hite "ilm has not 0een tested "or maritime searches1 though it might 0e most suita0le "or large cra"t such as a "ishing vessel. Coast Guard 9U-#.2 aircra"t e?uipped ith a HS-652 camera
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ill ta)e 0lac) and hite pictures onl,. <d= Planners can assume that it ill ta)e at least one da, to get the approval and esta0lish the operations plan "or the aircra"t. A"ter completion o" the "light it ma, 0e another da, "or 0lac) and hite "ilm to 0e processed and interpreted. !" color "ilm is used the process ma, ta)e longer 0ecause o" the special processing that has to 0e done 0, one o" the limited num0er o" resources. 2lac) and hite "ilm is normall, processed and interpreted at the home 0ase o" the Air *orce aircra"t. <e= $ue to limited testing and lo historical success rate1 the Air *orce1 0, agreement ith the Coast Guard1 ill provide aircra"t "or photo reconnaissance support o" SAR1 onl, i" re?uested 0, proper authorit, and under certain conditions. USA* polic, regarding use o" these aircra"t "or SAR support as promulgated 0, re"erence <s=. &he guidelines esta0lished 0, this directive are as "ollo sE <1= Use o" high "l,ing reconnaissance aircra"t "or all SAR e""orts ill 0e on a strict noninter"erence minimum cost 0asis. Scheduled operational re?uirements and priorit, training ill normall, not 0e rescheduled. <#= U.S. Air *orce Strategic Air Command <SAC>$ORS= shall determine the availa0ilit, o" aircra"t support 0ased on area coverage1 range1 eather1 t,pe o" "ilm re?uested1 mission and training impacts1 etc. <3= Unless directed 0, higher authorit,1 onl, 0lac) and hite "ilm products shall 0e used. !" color "ilm is speci"icall, re?uired1 the re?uester must coordinate handling procedures and possi0le cost reim0ursement "or "ilm processing and e:ploitation. <-= SAC>$ORS ill advise Air *orce 9ead?uarters o" the SAR re?uest and intended plan o" action. <.= GSpecial interestG situations involving 9ead?uarters USA* or USCG1 or Congressional directed SAR support shall 0e approved on a case-0,-case 0asis at the air sta"" level. Air *orce 9ead?uarters ill coordinate such cases ith appropriate ma@or commands1 9ead?uarters ACC and 9ead?uarters USCG1 as re?uired. <"= &he "ollo ing procedures appl, to Coast Guard commandsE <1= All Coast Guard re?uests "or photo reconnaissance support o" SAR are to 0e made through the operational chain o" command to the appropriate Area OPC4N. !" the Area determines that this t,pe o" support is appropriate "or the case1 the Area shall initiate a re?uest to USA* 9ead?uarters Strategic Air Command <SAC=>$ORS via A*RCC1 ;angle, A*21 /A. !" high "l,ing assets are made availa0le1 the S+C ill then 0e authoriFed direct liaison "or passing SAR planning>e:ecution in"ormation. &he Area is to 0e )ept in"ormed o" the status o" the mission. <#= !nitial communications should 0e made 0, telephone1 "ollo ed 0, "ormal re?uest message. &his ill give the Area and SAC a heads up to an incoming re?uest so time ill not 0e lost aiting "or record tra""ic. Commandant <G-OPR= shall 0e in"ormation addressee on all message communications involving a re?uest "or photo reconnaissance support. <g= &he a0ove guidance is meant to 0e restrictive due to the e:pense o" using these resources and their limited application to maritime SAR. 9o ever1 hen it is determined that a particular case ma, 0ene"it 0, utiliFing these resources1 search planners should 0egin the re?uest process as earl, as possi0le. &hese resources ta)e considera0le time to arrange and receive the "inal result o" interpretation. An e:ample o" a 0ene"icial use ma, 0e hen the "orecast is "or 0ad eather that ill preclude normal searching. Photo imager, collected 0e"ore eather sets in could 0e studied hile other resources are grounded. <h= Applica0le USA* phone contact num0ers <SAC>$ORS= areE $uring or)ing hoursE Autovon #51-.-151 Commercial <-8#= #7--.-15 A"ter or)ing hoursE Autovon #51-.5851 Commercial <-8#= #7--.585
<i= &he USA* message address isE
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3.#.<
S&RA&R4CONC4N O**U&& A*2 N4>>$ORS>>
Searches for :odies Coast Guard units are o"ten re?uested to search "or 0odies. 9o ever1 Coast Guard units are not provided the speci"ic gear <e.g.1 dragging e?uipment1 etc.= or training to conduct such searches. As per Chapter - o" the USCG Regulations1 G hen it has 0ecome de"initel, esta0lished1 either 0, time or circumstances1 that persons are dead1 the Coast Guard is not re?uired to conduct searches "or 0odies. !"1 ho ever1 re?uests are received "rom responsi0le agencies1 such as local police1 militar, commands1 etc.1 Coast Guard units ma, participate in 0od, searches provided that these searches do not inter"ere ith the primar, duties o" the units.G &he participation normall, is con"ined to a sur"ace search or support plat"orm "or other agencies to use their e?uipment.
3.#.>
Aircraft Incidents Aircra"t incidents present a particular challenge to SAR planners. &he speed o" aircra"t and the distance the, can travel in a short period o" time o"ten ma)es determining datum di""icult. Once determined1 the datum is rarel, a ell-de"ined point and results in a large initial search area. /arious s,stems associated ith aviation sa"et, and trac)ing can assist in narro ing initial datum and reduce the area to 0e searched.
3.#.>.1
4mergenc, ;ocator &ransmitters <4;&s=1 i" operating properl, "ollo ing an aircra"t crash or ditching1 ma, provide a position through Sarsat or direction "inding 0, SAR assets. 9o ever1 once in the ater aircra"t rarel, sta, a"loat and su0merged 4;&s ill cease to provide a signal. Aviation trac)ing radar s,stems are present throughout the United States and along the coast "or de"ense and trac)ing o" civil aviation. Several radar-trac)ing s,stems are covered in Chapter # o" re"erence <a=. <a= 9ill A*2 provides technical certi"ication and service "or a nation ide arra, o" lin)ed air de"ense radarDs that ma, provide valua0le Bnear real-timeC in"ormation to search and rescue planners prosecuting maritime and>or inland aircra"t incidents. &he radar in"ormation is "ull, archived "or a 78-da, period and pla,0ac) o" the event can give a Bnear real-timeC d,namic picture o" the su0@ect aircra"tDs activities leading up to1 and at the time o"1 the incident. Some o" this in"ormation ma, 0e availa0le "rom the local Air Route &ra""ic Control Center <AR&CC=1 hich provides greater radar coverage1 0oth in geographic areas and in lo er altitudes. !t archives BRA'C or BSH!N PA!N&C aircra"t radar contact in"ormation1 hile the in"ormation that is availa0le to AR&CC s,stems is generall, "iltered to sho onl, radar in"ormation "rom aircra"t that are using a transponder. RCC re?uests "or this in"ormation should 0e made directl, to one o" the three points o" contact given 0elo . !" the incident did not occur ithin that particular Air $e"ense SectorDs <A$S= AOR1 the, ill re"er the RCC to the appropriate A$S "or the incident. CON&AC&S SAR re?uests <#- hours=E Air $e"ense Sector <A$S= +ission Cre Commander <+CC= 'estern A$S <#.3= 76---311>-31# Southeast A$S <6.8= #63-.#8.>.#83 Northeast A$S <31.= 33--368# 6- RA$4SE $irector o" Operations <681= 555-#8-5 *a: <681= 555-3#36 9ill A*2 Command Post #- hr pager to 6- RA$4S <681= 555-3885
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<0= Shortl, a"ter contact1 the A$S should 0e a0le to "urnish a last )no n position o" the incident aircra"t. Give A$S as much in"ormation as possi0le1 as the radar s,stem archives A;; air contacts received1 and the incident aircra"t must 0e selected "rom the data availa0le. 'ithin a period o" up to a "e hours1 the, ill 0e a0le to call in an anal,st ho ill revie the radar s,stemDs archived in"ormation1 revie the availa0le data and update the in"ormation. A$S ill provide an electronic cop, o" the aircra"t incident to the RCC1 and assist in its interpretation. &his pla,0ac) ill generall, "it on a single "lopp, dis)ette and>or ma, 0e sent electronicall,. No special hard are or so"t are is re?uired to per"orm the pla,0ac)% it ill per"orm ell on CGS'!!!. &he pla,0ac) ma, 0e advanced rapidl,1 slo ed1 and paused as re?uired. 4ach data point o" the incident ma, 0e Bclic)edC to sho that data pointDs related in"ormation1 such as altitude1 etc. Copies o" the given screen pictures are also easil, made using the e:isting BA;&-PR!N& SCR44NC 0uttons on ,our PC <"or 'indo s7. and 'indo s N& s,stems= and cop,ing that in"ormation into the program o" ,our choice. NO special training is re?uired. 3.#.? 5ncorrelated Distress :roadcasts &his section provides the standard Coast Guard procedures to 0e used in prosecuting uncorrelated distress 0roadcasts. An uncorrelated distress 0roadcast is a distress 0roadcast that does not include position and>or identi"ication in"ormation su""icient to generate a reasona0le search area. A distress 0roadcast ma, use the internationall, recogniFed distress ord G+AP$APG or an, num0er o" ords that ould indicate a need "or assistance including1 0ut not limited to1 help1 emergenc,1 trou0le1 sin)ing1 etc. 3.#.?.1 &housands o" distress 0roadcasts are received on /9*-*+ channel 13 0, Coast Guard units each ,ear. Some are made 0, mariners ho ma, not 0e a0le to transmit more than a single 0roadcast 0e"ore the condition o" their vessel1 communication gear or a person renders them una0le to transmit additional in"ormation. !n these cases1 e do not have the opportunit, to esta0lish direct communications ith the caller1 and ma, not 0e a0le to ascertain a location or identi"ication. &hese situations severel, hamper the Coast GuardDs search planning and rescue coordination e""orts. Regretta0l,1 e also receive distress calls "rom calling parties ith the clear intention to mislead or deceive our atchstanders. $espite this "act1 all distress 0roadcasts shall 0e treated as legitimate distress calls unless determined other ise. Watchstanders shall initiall4 treat all distress /roadcasts as distress incidents. All distress 0roadcast incidents shall 0e aggressivel, prosecuted and care"ull, documented. <a= &he SAR mission coordinator <S+C= shall issue an urgent marine in"ormation 0roadcast <U+!2= "or all distress situations1 unless clearl, not arranted. &his is the minimum response re?uirement "or uncorrelated distress 0roadcasts V callouts are not su""icient. &he U+!2 shall include te:t re?uesting mariners and shore stations that heard the distress 0roadcast to contact the Coast Guard ith their position. &he U+!2 shall 0e 0roadcast "or at least one hour at 1.-minute intervals. <1= 2ased on in"ormation provided as "eed0ac) or lac) o" "eed0ac)1 the U+!2 should 0e modi"ied to ta)e advantage o" this in"ormation. <0= 'hen su""icient in"ormation e:ists to esta0lish a reasona0le search area1 the S+C shall launch appropriate resources to respond to a distress 0roadcast. !n the a0sence o" such in"ormation1 search planners shall engage in aggressive detective or)1 using all means at their disposal to narro do n a search area1 includingE <1= Anal,sis o" high site reception. 'hen an uncorrelated distress 0roadcast is received on t o intersecting hi-sites1 a reasona0le search area ma, 0e developed "rom the overlapping area <depending on the siFe o" overlapping area=. !n some cases reception on a single hi-site ma, result in a searcha0le area due to the "orm o" the geographic area in relation to hi-site location. Not receiving the distress 0roadcast on ad@acent hi-sites ma, also allo elimination o" overlap areas in initial search e""orts. <#= Tueries to ascertain i" other 0oats or shore 0ased radios heard the call over lo -level antennas. &his should 0e accomplished via the U+!2. Additional ?ueries ma, 0e made to re"ine this in"ormation. Hno ledge o" lo -level antenna reception ma, ,ield additional reception area arcs1 "urther
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narro ing the pro0a0le location o" the distressed caller. <3= Repla, the transmission. *or all uncorrelated distress 0roadcast cases1 the S+C should immediatel, revie recorded transmissions. &he S+C should also immediatel, revie all channel 13 transmissions addressed to the Coast Guard that cannot 0e readil, identi"ied as non-emergent. !" possi0le1 several di""erent individuals should listen to the transmission to aid in veri",ing in"ormation. &he S+C should 0e prepared to repla, a tape o" the distress call "or the $istrict command center upon re?uest. 3.#.?.3 A'to0Distress Co""'nications. Recentl,1 the Coast Guard has e:perienced an increase in the num0er o" SO-S transmissions and electronicall, s,nthesiFed +AP$AP calls on /9*-*+1 as ell as #16# )9F distress alarms on +*>9* radio. 4:perience sho s that these t,pes o" auto-distress transmissions are o"ten triggered accidentall,1 creating potentiall, dangerous sa"et, o" li"e issues "or the pu0lic and Coast Guard. *or uncorrelated auto-distress noti"ications and alarms1 the S+C does not need to launch unless there is a reasona0le search area AN$ there are additional "actors that ould lead a controller to conclude that a mariner ma, 0e in distress. &he reasoning is that a voice +AP$AP is an intentional act on the part o" the mariner1 hereas automatic 0roadcasts and alarms can 0e1 and o"ten are1 triggered inadvertentl,.
<a= A'to0Distress :roadcasts. All +orse Code S-O-S transmissions and automated>s,nthesiFed voice
+AP$AP 0roadcasts on Channel 13 /9*-*+ are transmitted ithout position or vessel identi"ication and shall 0e treated as uncorrelated +AP$APs. Upon receipt o" an S-O-S transmission or automated>s,nthesiFed voice +AP$AP 0roadcast1 the S+C shall thoroughl, investigate the incident and 0roadcast a U+!2 as a minimum response in accordance ith the polic, and discussion noted in paragraph 3.-.7.#. Assets need not 0e immediatel, launched 0ased solel, on a single S-O-S or s,nthesiFed +AP$AP 0roadcast. ;aunching an asset ould 0e appropriate i" a reasona0le search area can 0e determined and there are additional "actors that ma, indicate an actual distress situation1 i.e. voice +AP$AP1 overdue vessels1 "lare sightings1 local conditions or circumstances1 etc. Note that this is a slight departure "rom the polic, in 3.-.7.#<0= that re?uires assets to 0e launched 0ased on esta0lishing a reasona0le search area alone. 9o ever1 this polic, does not preclude $istricts "rom esta0lishing the level o" apprehension that ill re?uire a launch ithin their AOR% in "act the, are encouraged to do so.
<0= A'to0Distress Alar"s. $istress calls on #16# )9F are o"ten preceded 0, a radiotelephone alarm signal
<a tone alternating 0et een 1388 and ##88 9F "our times each second lasting "or 38-38 seconds= that alerts listeners to the "orthcoming distress message1 and are no di""erent "rom voice radio transmissions o" G+AP$APG or GCoast Guard1 Coast Guard come inG. !n cases here #16# )9F alarms are sent ith no accompan,ing distress message <regardless o" ho long the alarm is sounded=1 the, shall 0e treated in the same manner as uncorrelated Auto-$istress 2roadcasts a0ove.
3.#.?.#
&he principles o" aggressive prosecution and "ull use o" availa0le investigative tools applied "or /9*-*+1 +* and 9* uncorrelated distress 0roadcasts shall 0e applied to the receipt o" all "orms o" distress signals <e.g.1 SARSA&1 cell phone1 "lares1 etc.=. &he revie process "or case suspension or evaluation as a pro0a0le hoa: should 0e e?uall, rigorous. Reasona/le Search Area. !n responding to uncorrelated distress 0roadcasts the SAR planner is "aced ith the decision to search or not search under the given circumstances. Search planners should )eep in mind that the distress 0roadcast ma, 0e the onl, opportunit, the mariner has to indicate a distress situation. A search "or the source o" the 0roadcast1 i" at all possi0le1 should 0e the "oremost o0@ective. Coast Guard polic, is to search i" a reasona0le search area can 0e determined. &here are ho ever1 situations here a reasona0le search area cannot 0e esta0lished. &he "ollo ing guidance is provided to assist in determining i" an area is reasona0le or not. As guidance1 it does not relieve S+CDs "rom ma)ing a decision1 0ased on all the "acts availa0le1 "or each individual case. 'hat ma, 0e a reasona0le amount o" time to devote to a search in one set o" circumstances ma, not 0e true under another set o" circumstances. <a= Search Reso'rce: S+C should select the resource most appropriate "or searching in the general area o" the uncorrelated distress signal <i.e. 0oat in 0a,s>inlets1 0ounded or near coastal aters ma, 0e appropriate hile a "i:ed- ing aircra"t ma, 0e appropriate "or open ocean area.=.
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<0= Search 2/@ect: *irst choice is the search o0@ect as included in the distress alert. !" the distress alert does not mention a speci"ic o0@ect1 the second choice is an o0@ect selection 0ased on local )no ledge o" cra"t1 hich t,picall, operate in the general area o" the alert. !" no speci"ic o0@ect can 0e selected 0ased on local )no ledge1 the "inal choice is to use a #8-"oot po er0oat as the initial search o0@ect. <c= Search Area: &he S+C should determine "rom the transmission method o" distress alert and an, in"ormation contained in the alert1 the pro0a0le area. +ethods to do this are included in para. 3.-.7.#<0=. <d= Search Ti"e: Calculate the time that resource1 o0@ect and area. ould 0e re?uired to complete a search ith the chosen search
<e= Reasona/le Decision: !" the search can 0e completed ith # hours o" on scene search time 0, a sur"ace vessel and one hour 0, aircra"t1 it is reasona0le to conduct the search. &his e?uates to appro:imatel, a "ull sortie o" search "or an 99-3. 0eing reasona0le. Clearl, the area that can 0e searched 0, other resources ill not e?ual that o" an 99-3.1 the same amount o" time should 0e applied1 and 0ased on choice o" appropriate search resource ill determine the area that ill 0e covered in a reasona0le search. &he # hours should not 0e considered a hard cuto"" "or hen to conduct a search or not1 rather an indicator considered ith all the other "acts o" the case in ma)ing the decision. 3.#.1A !alse Alar"s( ,oa+es and S's$ected ,oa+es. *alse alarms and hoa:es aste valua0le operational resource dollars1 "rustrate SAR response personnel1 and ma, adversel, a""ect the Coast Guard(s a0ilit, to respond to real distress calls. &he situation is complicated 0, the "act that it is o"ten ver, di""icult to determine i" an incident is a "alse alarm1 hoa:1 or real distress due to s)etch, and>or contradictor, in"ormation. 3.#.1A.1 &he "ollo ing de"initions appl,E
<a= !alse Alar": A case here the su0@ect reported to 0e in distress is con"irmed not to 0e in distress and not
to 0e in need o" assistance. !n a "alse alarm case1 the reporting source either mis@udged a situation or inadvertentl, activated a distress signal or 0eacon resulting in an erroneous re?uest "or help1 0ut did not deli0eratel, act to deceive.
<0= ,oa+: A case here in"ormation is conve,ed ith the intent to deceive.
12T3: Until determined other ise1 Coast Guard units shall appropriatel, respond distress1 even i" suspected to 0e a "alse alarm or hoa:. 3.#.1A.2 ithout dela, to an, noti"ication o"
$istress 0roadcasts suspected to 0e hoa:es shall 0e thoroughl, evaluated. &he conclusion that a particular distress call is a pro0a0le hoa: must 0e 0ased on several articula0le "actors that ould lead a reasona0le person to conclude that the distress 0roadcast is "alse and there is no distress. 5ntil that deter"ination is "ade( the distress /roadcast shall /e res$onded to as a distress. At a minimum the "ollo ing procedures shall 0e used in the evaluation to determine a pro0a0le hoa: distressE (a) Locate and replay the suspected hoax distress broadcast on the unit's voice logging recorder. Use of sound manipulation software, if available, is encouraged to enhance or clarify the distress call. If used, the original and enhanced versions must be documented and saved as per Section 2.10.2. <0= Anal,Fe the call and consider all possi0le correlating SAR scenarios that could 0e associated event. ith the
<c= !" still deemed a pro0a0le hoa: 0, the atchstander1 repla, the call to each level up the SAR chain o" command. 4ach level should consider possi0le SAR scenarios. &he "inal level o" revie is the $istrict command center prior to "inal disposition 0, S+C. <d= A"ter all levels o" revie 1 i" the consensus remains that the call is in "act a pro0a0le hoa:1 no other action ill 0e re?uired. !" there is not consensus that the 0roadcast is a pro0a0le hoa:1 or i" a recording as not made1 the procedures "or an uncorrelated distress 0roadcast ill 0e "ollo ed.
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Closin% or S's$endin% a !alse Alar"C,oa+ Case. 'hen the source o" a hoa: or "alse alarm has 0een con"irmed1 S+C or the SC should close the case. 9o ever1 hen the source o" a suspected "alse alarm or hoa: remains un)no n1 the case cannot 0e closed1 0ut onl, suspended. 4ither the SC or S+C < ith concurrence "rom the SC= ma, do this. !n the event Coast Guard resources responded to a suspected hoa: at the re?uest o" another agenc,1 Coast Guard active involvement should onl, 0e ithdra n or reduced hen the SC so directs. In)esti%ationC!ollo=0'$. *alse alarms and hoa:es signi"icantl, drain our limited resources. All Coast Guard personnel are encouraged to "ind innovative a,s to reduce the occurrence o" these incidents. !n the case o" hoa:es1 aggressive e""orts to identi", and prosecute o""enders are important. &o that end1 all pertinent in"ormation relating to a suspected hoa: shall 0e reported as soon as possi0le to the SC(s RCC. &he RCC shall evaluate the reports as the, are received and determine the need "or additional investigation. 4arl, contact ith their servicing legal o""ice and coordination ith CG!S ill greatl, enhance the li)elihood o" a success"ul criminal prosecution.
3.#.1A.#
<a= !ederal Co""'nications Co""ission *!CC- or other a%enc4 in)ol)e"ent. &he *CC can 0e an
invalua0le resource in e""orts to identi", a hoa: caller. All RCCs should maintain a close relationship ith the nearest *CC o""ice and 0e "amiliar ith its capa0ilities to assist in locating the source o" a hoa: call. &he original recordings o" a suspected hoa: call shall 0e retained "or use as part o" the distress case evaluation and>or evidence "or legal action. ;egal action can result in penalties as discussed in Chapter 1 o" this Addendum.
<0= Coast 8'ard In)esti%ati)e Ser)ices *C8IS-. CG!S is also a good source to rela, in"ormation regarding
hoa: or suspected hoa: cases. investigation. O"ten1 the, can "ollo -up ith *CC and possi0l, assist in the
12T3: 1- U.S.C. W66 <c= ma)es it a "ederal "elon,1 punisha0le 0, signi"icant imprisonment and>or a monetar, "ine1 "or an,one to )no ingl, and ill"ull, communicate a "alse distress message to the Coast Guard or cause the Coast Guard to attempt to save lives and propert, hen no help is needed. &he statute also provides "or a civil penalt, o" not more than A.1888 and holds the individual lia0le "or all costs the Coast Guard incurs as a result o" the individualDs actions. 3.#.1A.9 &his polic, does not attempt to de"ine hat is or is not an appropriate response in an, given case. Operational commanders on a case-0,-case 0asis must ma)e that determination. &his polic, should not 0e interpreted 0, the pu0lic as creating an, dut, or o0ligation o" the Coast Guard to respond to "alse alarm or hoa: cases1 and is intended onl, "or internal agenc, administration1 and is su0@ect to change ithout notice. !" pu0lic in?uir, is received1 the pu0lic ma, 0e in"ormed o" the polic,. !" in"ormed1 the pu0lic should 0e cautioned that it is solel, "or internal Coast Guard use1 and that pu0lic reliance on the polic, is not intended. .ass Resc'e 2$erations +ass Rescue Operations <+ROs= are civil SAR services characteriFed 0, the need to provide immediate assistance to large num0ers o" persons in distress1 and doing so ould e:ceed the capa0ilities normall, availa0le to SAR authorities. +RO planning1 preparations and e:ercises are challenging and relativel, comple:. 4""ective arrangements "or use o" national and o"ten international resources 0e,ond those normall, used "or SAR are essential. +RO preparations re?uire su0stantial commitments and partnerships among SAR authorities1 regulator, authorities1 transportation companies1 militar,1 commercial assistance and others. +ROs o"ten need to 0e carried out and coordinated ithin a 0roader emergenc, response conte:t that ma, involve haFards mitigation1 damage control and salvage operations1 pollution control1 comple: tra""ic management1 large-scale logistics1 medical and coroner "unctions1 accident-incident investigation1 and intense pu0lic and political attention1 etc. 4""orts o"ten start immediatel, at an intense level and ma, need to 0e sustained "or da,s or ee)s. &he Coast Guard1 as appropriate1 should coordinate +RO plans ith companies that operate aircra"t and ships designed to carr, large num0ers o" persons. Companies such as cruise ship or "err, operators should share in preparations to minimiFe the chances that +ROs ill 0e needed1 and to ensure success i" the, are. 'hat the media reports ma, matter more than hat SAR services do "or shaping o" pu0lic opinion a0out +ROs. &here should 0e no un arranted dela,s in providing in"ormation to the media. !n"ormation must 0e
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readil, availa0le1 and "reel, e:changed among emergenc, service providers1 shipping1 airline or other primar, companies involved. Since opportunities to handle actual incidents involving mass rescues are rare and challenging1 e:ercising +RO plans is particularl, important. Scenarios that could lead to an +RO includeE 3.#.11.1 hurricanes1 heav, "looding1 tornados1 earth?ua)es1 avalanches1 eapons o" mass destruction incident1 haFardous material incidents1 passenger ship or large airliner disasters.
An .R2 foc'ses on the lifesa)in% as$ects *resc'e $hase- of an incident res$onse. <a= &he National SAR Plan <NSP= and the *ederal Response Plan <*RP= provide 0asic guidance "or immediate multi-agenc, +RO response. 9o ever1 response to an +RO under the *RP is in addition to the SAR response1 not in lieu o" it. +ore detailed in"ormation and interagenc, guidance on this topic ill 0e developed in the U.S. National Search and Rescue Supplement <NSS= to the !A+SAR +anual. <0= 'henever a situation ma, lead to an +RO and re?uire a surge in response resources1 the $istrict or Area RCC1 as determined 0, consultation1 should normall, handle SAR mission coordination. &he S+C "unction ma, 0e shi"ted to or "rom another RCC <e.g.1 the Area or Air *orce Rescue Coordination Center <A*RCC== as appropriate1 0ased on either geographic responsi0ilities or ho is in the 0est position to coordinate the response.
<c= 'hen a Coast Guard RCC is the organiFation responsi0le "or response1 it should immediatel, noti",
applica0le "ederal1 state or local resources in the area "or assistance. $O$ $irective 38#..11 Military Support to Civil Authorities, provides guidance to local militar, commanders "or $O$ response authorit, and procedures. &he Coast Guard RCC shall also immediatel, contact the USCG Command Center <GOP*= and1 i" the RCC is at the $istrict level1 the Area command1 ith the availa0le in"ormation on the incident. *a:ing the initial SAR chec) sheets and other relevant documentation should "ollo up the initial call. &imel, initial noti"ication is critical% the report should not 0e dela,ed simpl, to gather additional in"ormation. &he Command Center $ut, O""icer ill initiate a con"erence call 0et een USCG <G-OPR=1 $O$Ds $irector o" +ilitar, Support <$O+S=1 U.S. Roint *orces Command1 the *ederal 4mergenc, +anagement Agenc, <*4+A=1 the National Guard 2ureau and the A*RCC. &he purpose o" this telephone call is to s,nchroniFe availa0le response capa0ilities and1 i" appropriate1 e:pedite a "ederal disaster declaration. <d= *or overall coordination o" li"esaving and other missions1 an incident involving an +RO ill o"ten arrant designating an !ncident Commander <!C= ithin or outside o" the Coast Guard. !n this case1 until the rescue e""orts are terminated or suspended1 the RCC-designated S+C or)ing under the organiFational structure o" the !CS should normall, coordinate the +RO portion o" the response.
<e= Coordination o" SAR "unctions ith other "unctions is usuall, achieved 0, assigning a representative o"
the SAR agenc, or o" the S+C to the Operations Section o" the !CS organiFation. &his allo s SAR services to 0e plugged into !CS and overall operations hile still 0eing a0le to "unction ith relative independence in accordance ith normal SAR procedures. !CS has an overall incident "ocus1 hile SAR services must remain "ocused on li"esaving. 4:cept hen "unctions other than SAR are relativel, insigni"icant to the incident response1 the !C should normall, 0e someone other than the S+C. &he priorit, mission ill al a,s 0e li"esaving1 and the S+C should normall, remain unencum0ered 0, additional non-SAR duties. !n some cases involving +ROs1 it ma, 0e 0etter to locate the S+C near the
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incident site rather than at the RCC. 3.#.11.2 SAR Plan on/oard Passen%er 7essels <a= &he !nternational Convention "or the Sa"et, o" ;i"e At Sea <SO;AS= re?uires certain passenger ships to have on0oard a plan "or cooperation ith the SAR services in event o" an emergenc,. &he plan is sometimes re"erred to as a BSAR PlanC and is developed in cooperation 0et een the ship1 its compan, and the SAR service <U.S. Coast Guard "or the U.S.=. Also1 the plan must include provisions "or periodic e:ercises to test its e""ectiveness. Passenger ships "alling under this SO;AS re?uirement are t,picall, passenger ships and "erries on international vo,ages.
<0= &o meet this SO;AS re?uirement1 G-OPR1 in con@unction ith cruise industr, input1 developed the
BSearch and Rescue Information FormC <*igure 3-7= 0ased on guidelines developed 0, !+O. &he intent as to have the essential in"ormation needed to ma)e an initial SAR response hile ma:imiFing access to the more detailed in"ormation availa0le else here <e.g.1 ship engineering plans=. &he BSearch and Rescue !n"ormation *orm serves as the SAR Plan "or a cruise ship and ill 0e incorporated into the G-+ inspection process "or carriage o" the plan 0, cruise ships and "erries under SO;AS. &he "orm serves as a template 0ut additional in"ormation ma, 0e included at the compan,Ds discretion. Other countries ma, re?uire more e:tensive in"ormation as provided "or in the !+O guidelines. Cruise ship companies ill provide the completed "orm1 and updated versions as needed1 to G-OPR "or "or arding to all the RCCs. &he RCC ill distri0ute ithin its district1 as deemed necessar,. !n turn1 G-OPR ill provide an, changes to the general Coast Guard in"ormation to a central point in the cruise industr, "or "urther distri0ution. <c= SAR e:ercises ill include passenger vessels. RCC and port-level contingenc, preparedness planning ill incorporate the need "or a passenger vessel SAR Plan into their e:ercise planning and their e""orts ith other emergenc, responders "or SAR e:ercises. 3.#.12 Search Action Plans. A standard SAP allo s the reader to ?uic)l, "ind critical in"ormation 0, )no ing that it ill al a,s 0e in a certain place and to identi", vital in"ormation that is missing. 4?uall, as important1 the dra"ter o" the SAP onl, needs to learn the "ormat once1 since it is standardiFed throughout the Coast Guard. &he standard SAP "ormat is provided in Appendi: C. 2ene"its o" this standardiFed "ormat includeE time saved in preparing the message% "e er calls loo)ing "or missing in"ormation% time saved "inding in"ormation critical to e:ecuting the mission.
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S3ARC, A1D R3SC53 I1!2R.ATI21 !2R. ShipDs NameE Compan,Ds Name>AddressE Ship !n"ormationE 2asic $etails o" ShipE ++S!E Call SignE Countr, o" Registr,E &,pe o" ShipE Classi"ication Societ,E Gross &onnageE ;ength Overall <in meters=E +a:imum $ra"t <in meters=E Service SpeedE +a:imum Num0er o" Persons allo ed on0oardE Num0er o" Cre normall, carriedE CommunicationsE 4P!R2sE 9*>+* Capa0ilitiesE !nmarsat Capa0ilitiesE SA&CO+ Num0ersE /9* capa0ilitiesE Non-G+$SS communications capa0ilitiesE ;i"esaving 4?uipment and capacities o" eachE ;i"e0oatsE Rescue 2oatsE &endersE ;i"e ra"tsE Contact ;istE #--hour emergenc, contacts in order o" precedenceE Name position phone num0er <As detailed as necessar,1 0ut should 0e multiple contacts= *urther Compan, Points o" ContactE <Compan, pu0lic relations o""icer is recommended.= !i%'re 30? Search and Resc'e Infor"ation !or" for S26AS Re&'ire"ent
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Section 3.( Resc)e Planning and Operations

3.9.1 2)er)ie= &he ma@orit, o" Search and Rescue incidents reported to the Coast Guard do not involve a search. +ost o"ten the location o" the vessel or person involved in the incident is )no n and the action re?uired is a rescue or assistance. 3.9.2 Resc'e Plannin% Chapter 3 o" re"erence <a= and Chapter # o" /olume !! o" re"erence <0=1 provide most o" the in"ormation re?uired "or rescue planning. As ith a search e""ort1 rescues should 0e care"ull, planned and action directed through a Rescue Action Plan. &he "ormat "or a Rescue Action Plan is provided in re"erence <a=. Operations Ris) +anagement <OR+= should 0e integrated into all SAR plans. <Re"er to Section 1.#.3= 3.9.3 Resc'e and the .SAP Rescues encompass the "ull range o" needs "rom distress to non-emergenc, incidents and should 0e evaluated and responded to in accordance ith the provisions o" the +aritime SAR Assistance Polic, <+SAP=. 3.9.# 3.9.#.1 Dis$osition of 6ifesa)in% De)ices 3"er%enc4 Position0Indicatin% Radio :eacons *3PIR:s- should 0e recovered and>or the signal secured henever possi0le at the time o" a rescue. <a= 4P!R2s should not 0e le"t a"loat as a $+2. !" additional persons remain missing or there is a need to mar) the position o" a vessel or "loating de0ris a $+2 should 0e used. <See #.3.-..= <0= 4P!R2s le"t adri"t at the conclusion o" a SAR incident1 continue to transmit. &he signal produced ma, prevent another distress 0eacon "rom 0eing properl, trac)ed or heard. <c= 4P!R2s used in SAR incidents that operated improperl, or "ailed should 0e recovered "or anal,sis. 3.9.#.2 6ifesa)in% )essels *life rafts( life/oats and lifesa)in% float de)ices-. A num0er o" SAR cases involve recovering persons "rom li"e ra"ts1 li"e0oats or a variet, o" li"esaving "loat devices. &hese li"esaving vessels are made o" ood1 metal1 "i0erglass1 ru00er1 and other materials1 hich1 i" le"t adri"t1 pose a haFard to navigation1 contri0ute to environmental pollution and create the possi0ilit, o" "uture "alse alarms. Additionall,1 the li"esaving vessel ma, 0e carr,ing petroleum products <i" motoriFed= or other materials haFardous to the environment. <a= &he pre"erred action is to recover and deliver li"esaving vessels ashore. &his ma, 0e accomplished 0, the on scene rescue units1 a Good Samaritan vessel1 the o ner1 or i" arranged 0, the o ner1 via commercial salvage. <0= !" conditions and circumstances do not permit a sa"e recover, 0, on scene rescue units1 rescue personnel should ma)e ever, e""ort to mar) the li"esaving vessel. &he mar)ing shall clearl, indicate that the Coast Guard has investigated the li"esaving vessel. +ar)ings should 0e made to 0e visi0le and recogniFa0le "rom the air and sea at a distance o" 388 "eet. A 0roadcast notice to mariners should 0e made appropriate to location1 t,pe o" haFard and "uture disposition. <c= *or li"esaving vessels le"t adri"t hich pose a haFard to navigation1 the o ner shall 0e advised o" the responsi0ilit, "or mar)ing and recovering the vessel including appropriate lighting "or night. <d= *or li"esaving vessels le"t adri"t that are pollution haFards1 the o ner and>or responsi0le part, shall 0e advised o" responsi0ilities under the appropriate la s>regulations. Noti", the cogniFant Coast Guard +arine Sa"et, O""ice. <e= $estro,ing li"esaving vessels should onl, 0e carried out hen there is no other reasona0le option. Generall,1 destruction should onl, 0e done i" the li"esaving vessel cannot 0e recovered or mar)ed due to
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on scene circumstances% its condition or it poses a particular haFard i" le"t a"loat.
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Section 3.* #eas)res o+ Searc" E++ectiveness

POS is used in Re"erence <a= as the measure o" search e""ectiveness1 12T PO$. PO$ pursuant to re"erence <a= is ho e""ective a particular sensor should have 0een in that search. 3.;.1 Pro/a/ilit4 of S'ccess *P2SAlthough PO$ has 0een in the search planning voca0ular, and used ith the manual search planning method "or man, ,ears1 POS provides a much greater measure o" search ?ualit,. POS is a statisticall, generated measure o" search e""ectiveness and is the pro0a0ilit, that a given search ill succeed in locating the search target. POS depends on t o "actorsE <1= the pro0a0ilit, that the target is in the area searched <POC= and <#= the pro0a0ilit, o" detecting that target <PO$=. Pro0a0ilit, o" Success is the product o" the Pro0a0ilit, o" Containment and the Pro0a0ilit, o" $etectionE POS Q POC : PO$. 3.;.1.1 P2D *Pro/a/ilit4 of Detection- is the statistical measure o" search sensor detection per"ormance. !t is a "unction o" s eep idth and trac) spacing. !t is a conditional pro0a0ilit, meaning that search planners assume the search target is in the search area. P2C *Pro/a/ilit4 of Contain"ent- is descri0ed as the pro0a0ilit, that the search o0@ect<s= are contained in a particular area. Using computer simulation <CASP= e can develop containment pro0a0ilities <POC= 0ased upon dri"t and scenario assumptions.
3.;.1.2
12T3: POS measures search e""ectiveness. PO$ measures search sensor detection per"ormance. POC measures search planning e""ectiveness. 3.;.2 The 7al'e of 5sin% P2S POS calculates search e""ectiveness 0, incorporating POC <the CASP eighted replication "ile= ith the PO$. PO$ onl, measures a sensor(s e""ectiveness% that is1 it is used to estimate ho ell a search area as searched1 0ut it does not incorporate the li)elihood that the target ill actuall, 0e in the particular area searched. POS does. &he "ollo ing e:amples ill clari", this discussionE Searching an area that has no chance o" containing the search o0@ect <POC Q 8= ill not 0e success"ul no matter ho high the PO$. 4ven i" PO$ as 188S < hich is not realistic= the POS is still Fero <8 : 1 Q 8=. &o give a more realistic e:ample1 i" there is a .8S chance o" the search o0@ect 0eing in an area1 then searching that area ith a coverage "actor o" 1.8 <PO$ o" 56S= produces a POS o" 37S <.. : .56 Q .37=. 4ven i" PO$ as 188S <again unrealistic=1 the POS "or this search rises to onl, .8S <.. : 1 Q ..= and no "urther 0ecause there is still a .8S chance that the search o0@ect as not in the search area.
3.;.2.1
POS 0alances options o" loo)ing ver, care"ull, in a small area "or the target against loo)ing ade?uatel, over a larger area "or the same target. As an analog,1 thin) o" loo)ing "or a misplaced set o" )e,s. Pou could meticulousl, loo) "or the )e,s in the so"a% moving pillo s1 pulling apart cushions1 putting ,our hands under the so"a and in the @oints o" the "urniture <high PO$ 0ut lo POC=. Or1 ,ou could use the same time searching "or the )e,s 0, scanning the tops o" the so"a1 mantel1 0oo)case and the rest o" the "amil, room and )itchen1 concentrating on the most li)el, spots <lo er PO$ 0ut high POC=. !" ,ou )no that ,ou lost the )e,s in the so"a1 option one ould ,ield a higher POS. !" ,ou ere unsure here the )e,s ere last seen or lost1 then option t o ould pro0a0l, ,ield a higher POS.
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3.;.3
Deter"inin% P2S !n Appendi: 91 a "ull comparison o" determining POS ithin the +anual Solution ith the CASP Solution is provided1 as ell as1 a discussion and associated graphics to ma)e the BmathC involved easier to understand.
3.;.3.1
+anual Solution. &he manual solution can incorporate POC and POS1 ho ever% it does so in a a, that is hidden "rom the search planner. Search planners1 prior to the advent o" CASP1 did not use POC and POS 0ecause there as no practical a, to compute them manuall, i" ,ou do not search the e:act Optimum Search Area generated 0, the &otal Pro0a0le 4rror solution and sa"et, "actors. Since the e:act area is rarel, searched1 the POC as not computa0le and hence1 as ignored. Un"ortunatel,1 this le"t an incorrect impression that PO$ is &94 statistic in terms o" measuring search e""ectiveness. !t is not. As previousl, stated1 POS is the measure o" overall search ?ualit,>e""ectiveness. CASP Solution. CASP is designed to provide a search plan that optimiFes POS. 9o ever1 caution must 0e used hen using CASP to develop a search plan. !t ma, optimiFe POS ithout regard to sa"et, 0, overlapping search areas to get redundant coverage over high pro0a0ilit, cells. &his is e?uivalent to putting t o search units in the same area at the same time. &his not onl, is an ine""icient use o" SRUs and it ma, contri0ute to an accident. !n these cases1 the controller must esta0lish separate areas and assign search resources to ensure sa"et,.
3.;.3.2
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Section 3., Aspects o+ S)rvival

3.<.1 5se of ,4$other"ia Soft=are and Ta/le &he human 0od, can e:perience s,mptoms o" h,pothermia at an, temperature. 4nvironmental "actors such as ind and precipitation ma, severel, limit the availa0le search time. A survivorDs li"e e:pectanc, varies ith the t,pe o" clothing orn1 the clothingDs etness1 survivorDs activit,1 initial 0od, temperature1 ph,sical condition1 ps,chological condition and strength o" B'ill to ;ive.C *urther discussions a0out h,pothermia can 0e "ound in the re"erence <0=. ComputeriFed h,pothermia tools e:ist that provide a good "oundation to determine the e""ects o" h,pothermia "or an average person and are recommended "or SAR planning purposes. All calculations done using computeriFed tool should 0e Bcross-chec)edC using the h,pothermia ta0le "ound in Appendi: N o" re"erence <0= and shall 0e included in case pac)ages used to ma)e an, suspension decisions. &hese tools are guidelines1 not a0solute "actors1 "or search planning and suspension. 3.<.2 Will to 6i)e &he ill to live is de"ined as the desire to live despite seeml, insurmounta0le mental and>or ph,sical o0stacles and varies "rom one individual to another. &he attri0utes that have the greatest e""ect on a personDs ill to live are their attitude and ph,sical condition at the time o" the incident. &he ill to live is one o" the greatest intangi0les "or SAR controllers to consider hen planning or suspending a search. Survival times are calculated minimums 0ased on an average person1 and the data does not ta)e into consideration the ill to live1 hich ill di""er1 "or ever, person depending on their situation. &he ill to live is e:tremel, hard to de"ine under an, circumstances1 0ut it is a part o" the BArt o" Search and Rescue versus scienceC and should 0e considered throughout the case. 3.<.2.1 Controllers should do their detective or) 0, tal)ing ith "amil, mem0ers1 "riends and>or co- or)ers. Tuestions should 0e posed tact"ull, a0out an, signi"icant emotional events <i.e. death in "amil,1 divorce1 0irth o" child1 ne l, ed= that ma, have occurred recentl,. &his can provide a gauge o" the victimDs mental and ph,sical state hen he or she as last seen. Case suspensions should not 0e solel, 0ased on data or ta0les. &imes o" possi0le case suspensions should 0e an optimistic guess that a person has a strong X ill to liveD. Conversations ith "amil, mem0ers1 "riends1 and>or co- or)ers ill provide the 0est indication o" this. Again1 ever, case is di""erent and ever, personDs ill to live is di""erent and should 0e an educated guess eighing all internal and e:ternal "actors. 'ith the proper attitude1 people can e:hi0it e:ceptional ph,sical and mental strength not normall, thought possi0le.
3.<.2.2
3.<.2.3
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<&his page intentionall, 0lan)=
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Section 3.Concl)sion O+ SAR Operations

&here are three terms used to indicate the status o" search and rescue cases% Case Closed1 Case Pends1 and Active Search Suspended Pendin Further !evelopments. 4ach status has particular criterion associated ith its use. &he de"initions and criterion "or each status are descri0ed in the "ollo ing sections. 3.>.1 Case Closed. 'hen the search o0@ect<s= is located1 assistance to the o0@ect is completed1 and no other SAR issues arise1 the search and rescue case is considered closed. No "urther SAR related action 0, the Coast Guard is necessar, or contemplated. 3.>.1.1 3.>.1.2 3.>.1.3 Persons ho are the o0@ect o" a search must all 0e accounted "or in order "or a case to 0e closed. 'hen persons remain missing at the conclusion o" SAR e""orts1 the case cannot 0e closed. Personnel in +4$4/AC cases must either 0e trans"erred to other medical authorities or no longer re?uire medical assistance once delivered ashore "or the case to 0e closed. 'hen the o0@ect o" a SAR case is propert,1 the case ma, 0e closed hen the o0@ect no longer re?uires SAR assistance. *or vessels aground1 sun) or in other condition re?uiring hat is determined to 0e purel, salvage assistance1 the case ma, 0e closed. Case Pends. &his term re"ers to an open case in hich the search o0@ect has not ,et 0een located and not all search e""orts have 0een completed1 or the search o0@ect is located1 0ut rescue or assistance e""orts have not ,et 0een underta)en or concluded. *urther action 0, the Coast Guard is necessar, and planned. <Action ma, include coordination o" other agenc, assets=. 3.>.3 Acti)e Search S's$ended Pendin% !'rther De)elo$"ents *ACTS5S-. 'hen a SAR case cannot 0e closed and "urther search e""orts appear "utile1 the search ma, 0e discontinued. &he SAR case ill remain open until the o0@ect o" the search is located. !" ne in"ormation is received indicating the o0@ect o" the search ma, not have 0een in the areas searched1 or pertinent details o" the search o0@ect ere other than those previousl, reported1 the search ma, 0e resumed. 3.>.3.1 &he decision to grant AC&SUS is a @udgment call that must 0e 0ased on a care"ul anal,sis o" the "actors o" an individual case. AC&SUS authorit, normall, rests ith the applica0le SAR Coordinator1 0ut ma, 0e delegated in riting. &he authorit, to grant AC&SUS carries ith it the responsi0ilit, "or "inal revie o" the SAR e""orts1 re?uiring )no ledge o" search planning and a clear understanding o" the measures o" search e""ectiveness <see section 3.3.=. !n general the level "or suspension la,s one level in the SAR chain o" command a0ove the S+C. *or some cases here the Group>Activit, is the S+C1 the Group>Activit, Commander ma, also have suspension authorit,. &his is accepta0le in these cases 0ecause o" the relative lo er ris) o" the case t,pe and consideration that the planning "unctions are actuall, 0eing per"ormed 0, persons other then the Group>Activit, Commander personall,. Prior to AC&SUS "or cases involving persons )no n to 0e missing1 the $istrict <osr= at a minimum shall 0e 0rie"ed. A sample SAR Case Suspension Chec)list is included in Appendi: G. &his chec)list or a locall, produced chec)list is recommended as an integral part o" the suspension decision process.
3.>.2
3.>.3.2
3.>.#
S's$ension /4 2ther SAR A'thorities =hen Coast 8'ard 5nits are Assistin%
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'hen another agenc, is the S+C "or a search and Coast Guard units are participating in the e""ort1 the Coast Guard ill normall, cease all e""orts hen the S+C suspends the case. 3.>.#.1 Actions in res$onse to &'estiona/le s's$ension /4 other SAR a'thorities. &here ma, arise cases1 o" hich the Coast Guard is involved1 hen the other SAR authorit,1 according to Coast Guard standards1 ma)es a ?uestiona0le suspension decision. Under these circumstances the "ollo ing actions should 0e ta)enE <a= &he involved unit<s= should "irst conve, their concern to the other agenc, S+C. <0= !" the nature o" the concerns is not ade?uatel, addressed 0, the other agenc, S+C1 the unit should 0rie" up their SAR chain o" command to the Coast Guard SAR Coordinator <RCC=. <c= &he SAR Coordinator <or representative RCC= should contact the other agenc, to discuss the concerns. <d= !" the concerns are not ans ered at this level1 the SC shall ma)e a decision to either proceed independentl, to conduct "urther searches or accept the decision o" the other agenc,.
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Section 3.. Case /oc)0entation

Case documentation occurs 0oth during and a"ter an incident. $uring an incident1 it serves to )eep other involved parties in"ormed and also to assist planning o" su0se?uent operational e""ort. &he SAR case "ile provides invalua0le documentation "or record purposes1 determination o" potential lessons learned and data "or SAR+!S1 hich is an important management tool. 3.?.1 SAR Case Clai"in% Coast Guard units shall claim credit "or actions ta)en in response to an activation o" the SAR s,stem. Generall,1 this ill 0e those situations in hich their resources coordinate or render assistance1 regardless o" position or location o" the incident. &he intent is to ensure Coast Guard resource activit, is properl, documented to support anal,sis o" SAR operating needs1 management and 0udgetar, decisions. Accordingl,1 this polic, should 0e interpreted using common sense and reasona0leness. Case claiming is documented 0, means o" the SAR +anagement !n"ormation S,stem <SAR+!S= discussed later in this section and more e:tensivel, in Appendi: 2. 3.?.1.1 Re&'ire"ents for Clai"in% a Case. Units ma, claim a case henever a response is made no matter the time or e""ort e:pended. 9o ever1 units are re?uired to claim a case and su0mit SAR+!S data hen a Search Rescue Unit <SRU= is launched or hen more than 38 minutes o" e""ort are e:pended. &his applies to cases initiated 0, 4;&>4P!R21 $SC and !N+ARSA& distress alerts. &here is no need to claim ever, 4;&>4P!R2 case that e:pends less than 38 minutes o" e""ort1 as the RCCs are alread, re?uired to su0mit an !ncident 9istor, *eed0ac) Sheet to the NOAA +CC1 ho enters the data into their data0ase. *or "urther $SC reporting re?uirements1 see Section #.2.#.@. SAR Case Sit'ation Re$orts *SITR3PsGeneral reporting re?uirements "or operational incidents1 including SAR1 are descri0ed in re"erence <t=. Passing )e, operational in"ormation in a timel, manner1 0oth up and do n the SAR organiFation1 is criticall, important to e""ective SAR case prosecution. 3.?.2.1 Standard Coast 8'ard SAR SITR3P for"at. &he standard "ormat shall 0e used1 other "ormats are not allo ed e:cept as detailed in paragraph 3.7.#.-% operational commanders ma, re?uire additional in"ormation. &he standard SAR S!&R4P "ormat "or Coast Guard use has 0een developed 0ased on re"erences <a=1 <0= J <t=1 and the United States +essage &e:t *ormat <US+&*=1 ith consideration o" "ield unit re?uirements and desires. &he Coast Guard standard SAR S!&R4P "ormat and an e:ample are provided in Appendi: C. Trans"ission "ethods. &imel, dissemination o" in"ormation can 0e more critical than the method o" its transmission. /oice communications1 "ollo ed later ith ritten record tra""ic1 ma, 0e su0stituted "or initial S!&R4Ps 0et een the On Scene Commander <OSC= and S+C. *acsimile and e-mail are also accepta0le su0stitutes in all cases at the discretion o" the S+C. !n"ormation re?uired does not change ith transmission method and should 0e provided to the "ullest e:tent possi0le. !re&'enc4 of re$orts. *re?uenc, o" S!&R4Ps "or individual SAR cases shall 0e set 0, the S+C and su0@ect to the "ollo ing conditionsE <a= &he period covered plan=. ill normall, coincide ith each search e""ort <e""orts o" each individual search
3.?.2
3.?.2.2
3.?.2.3
<0= &he minimum "re?uenc, shall 0e dail,. <c= !nitial S!&R4Ps should 0e su0mitted as soon as signi"icant in"ormation is availa0le 0ut should not 0e dela,ed unnecessaril, "or con"irmation o" all details. Ampli",ing in"ormation can 0e provided in su0se?uent reports. &hese are the minimum re?uirements. SAR Coordinators ma, esta0lish a higher "re?uenc, "or operations ithin their search and rescue region.
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3.?.2.# 3.?.3
SITR3Ps for D2D o$erations. &he US+&* "ormat shall 0e used "or S!&R4Ps $O$ directed or i" other ise instructed. .edical 3)ac'ation *.3D37AC- Re$ort
hen the SAR operation is
As directed 0, re"erence <u=1 +4$4/AC Report *orm <CG-.#1-= shall 0e used "or all SAR cases involving in@ured or ill persons. &he "orm provides patient clinical in"ormation "or the receiving medical "acilit,1 serves as a treatment guide "or administering medical care1 and allo s data collection and evaluation. A sample +4$4/AC Report *orm is in Appendi: $. 3.?.# 3.?.#.1 Search And Resc'e .ana%e"ent Infor"ation S4ste" *SAR.IS- Re$orts SAR+!S has 0een designed to 0e the primar, means o" collecting and storing in"ormation relative to all Coast Guard SAR operations. &his in"ormation is essential in order to have a true picture o" the e""ort e:pended 0, the Coast Guard in support o" SAR operations and a clear understanding o" SAR incident trends. Additionall,1 the SAR+!S data0ase is a measurement tool "or determining the Coast Guard(s e""ectiveness in the SAR aspect o" its +aritime Sa"et, +ission. SAR+!S in"ormation can also 0e used toE 3.?.#.2 measure unit or)load and e""ectiveness1 determine resource utiliFation and needs1 @usti", 0udget re?uests to meet pro@ected re?uirements1 anal,Fe s,stem operations "or potential improvement and savings1 and @usti", policies and procedures to manage the overall SAR Program more e""ectivel,.
SAR+!S data is entered at the unit level directl, into a e0-0ased data0ase. Use1 access and training in"ormation is provided on-line at the Operations S,stem Center CG!N*O intranet site. Appendi: 2 speci"ies the data collection and reporting procedures "or Coast Guard units. Units shall enter SAR data "or ever, case the, claim. SAR Case St'dies &o improve per"ormance at all levels o" the SAR s,stem1 it is critical to thoroughl, anal,Fe signi"icant cases and share lessons learned. /olume !! o" the !nternational Aeronautical and +aritime Search and Rescue +anual provides an overvie o" hen1 h, and ho to conduct a SAR Case Stud,.
3.?.#.3 3.?.9
3.?.9.1
Coast Guard S+CDs shall conduct a case stud, henE <a= Survivors are "ound inside the search area1 a"ter a search has 0een suspended% <0= Survivors are "ound 0, someone not involved in the search1 outside the search area% <c= $irected 0, CO+$& G-OPR1 the Area or $istrict Commander.
3.?.9.2
A SAR case stud, should 0e conducted henever a SAR coordinator 0elieves there ma, 0e 0ene"it to the SAR S,stem to share lessons learned and 0est practices. !" recommendations have Coast Guard ide1 national or international SAR s,stem implications1 the original stud, shall 0e routed via the chain o" command to CO+$& G-OPR "or action. !" recommendations impact local <unit1 Group1 $istrict= policies or procedures1 the original stud, shall 0e routed to the level that has authorit, over those policies or procedures "or action. Copies o" all SAR case studies shall 0e "or arded to CO+$& G-OPR and the National SAR School. &he program manager ill 0e responsi0le "or or)ing ith the National SAR School to e:tract lessons learned and 0est practices and disseminate that in"ormation. SAR Case Studies are not Administrative !nvestigations% the, are to 0e used primaril, as a means o" improving the SAR s,stem. SAR Case Studies are also valua0le teaching tools that 0ene"it current and "uture
3.?.9.3
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SAR and communications atchstanders. Case studies consider actions that could or should have 0een ta)en1 as ell as those actions not t,picall, e:pected 0ut sho a 0ene"it to the SAR s,stem. Our goal is "or ard"ocused and straight"or ardE to "oster the continuous improvement1 hich is the hallmar) o" Coast Guard Search and Rescue. 3.?.9.# A SAR case stud, deals onl, ith signi"icant "actors1 and should include the "ollo ingE <a= Su0@ect line identi",ing the case ith descriptive ording and SAR case num0er. <0= A consolidated case narrative. <c= Assumptions used in planning each search e""ort1 including distress positions and times1 search target t,pes1 and lee a, parameters. <d= 4nvironmental data used1 including ater current1 ind1 and visi0ilit,. <e= Actual distress positions and times1 and actual search target t,pe. <"= *or each da, o" the operation1 search area coordinated1 t,pe o" cra"t assigned1 search patterns used1 planned and actual s eep idths and trac) spacing1 and computed datum points.
(g) $e0rie"ing in"ormation "rom survivors1 giving actual dri"t reconstruction1 o0served environmental
conditions1 and an, sightings o" search cra"t. See section 3.7...5 "or in"ormation regarding survivor de0rie"ing. <h= Anal,ses o" the e""ectiveness o" Computer Assisted Search Planning <CASP= or other computeriFed search planning s,stem used1 and1 hen appropriate1 the reasons h, CASP as not used. &he Coast Guard Operations S,stem Center <OSC= and the NOAA +ission Control Center <+CC= shall 0e noti"ied immediatel, o" an, pending case studies involving COSPAS-SARSA&1 Amver1 or CASP so historical data1 vo,age "iles1 environmental data1 s,stem status1 etc.1 as appropriate1 can 0e captured on magnetic tape and retained "or later anal,sis. SAR Case Studies sent to Commandant <G-OPR-1= should also include copies o" computer SAR inputs and outputs and mailed separatel, i" too 0ul),. <i= Comments on use or lac) o" detection aids1 per"ormance o" e?uipment1 ade?uac, o" communications and SRUs1 and suspected reasons "or "ailing to detect the target. <@= !n"ormation on o0@ects and persons located1 including re"erence to their location generated pro0a0ilit, map < hen CASP is used=. ithin the CASP
<)= Controller de0rie" and RCC>OPC4N e?uipment data. 'henever practica0le1 intervie or o0tain statements "rom all controllers and atchstanders ho participated in case prosecution. !nclude re"erence to the per"ormance and ade?uac, o" RCC>OPC4N e?uipment. <l= Computer "lopp, dis)s or appropriate electronic media containing all C#PC calculations and output including dri"t planning1 icons1 chart re"erence1 etc. <m= Copies o" all Search Action Plans1 S!&R4PS and other +essage &ra""ic. <n= All completed Chec)lists and Tuic) Response Cards. <o= Chronologs. 3.?.9.9 3.?.9.; +ore than one person should conduct a SAR case stud,. Participation should 0e e:tended to the 9T program manager1 <G-OPR=1 SAR School1 other RCCs1 and Group OPC4Ns1 as appropriate. SAR Case studies ma, 0e limited to addressing onl, certain aspects o" a case that are o" particular interest. *or e:ample1 pro0lems ith communications1 use o" computer search assets <CASP>Amver etc.= or international coordination or assistance might 0e singled out "or e:amination. &he Operations S,stems Center shall 0e noti"ied 0, most direct>rapid means o" an, pro0lems encountered hen using or attempting to use Amver or CASP. &he +CC shall 0e noti"ied 0, most direct>rapid means o" an, pro0lems encountered hen using or attempting to use the COSPAS>SARSA& s,stem. Pro0lems shall 0e documented via S!&R4P. S'r)i)or de/riefin% and e&'i$"ent data. SAR case studies provide opportunities to anal,Fe survivor
3.?.9.<
3 - Page num0ers
CO+$&!NS& +13138.#C
e:perience and also li"esaving e?uipment per"ormance. Survival in hostile environments is a""ected 0, man, varia0les including the ph,sical condition o" the survivors1 action o" the survivors1 rein"orcement given 0, rescue resources prior to rescue1 and sa"et, or survival e?uipment. <a= !mmediate survivor de0rie"ing is necessar, in cases here other persons remain missing. !n addition1 in"ormation given 0, survivors soon a"ter their ordeal ill 0e 0ene"icial in determining ho their e:perience a""ected their survival and ho rescue personnel prosecuted the case "rom their perspective. &his in"ormation is important "or the Coast Guard to use in criti?uing its rescue operations and in ma)ing improvements in SAR operations. &he particulars o" a survivor de0rie"ing ill var, case 0, case. !ntervie ers are to ascertain hat in"ormation is pertinent "or a case. Some e:amples o" the t,pe o" in"ormation areE <1= Cause o" accident or distress% <#= Age1 ph,sical condition1 e:perience o" survivors and "atalities% <3= !n cases here unsuccess"ul searches ere conducted prior to location or case closing1 determine hether search resources ere seen or heard1 hether an, other vessels or aircra"t ere seen or heard1 and hat means survivors used to attempt to communicate or signal% <-= &imes o" signi"icant events during the distress1 and times o" sightings o" resources. <0= !" survivors had on0oard1 used1 or had pro0lems ith sa"et, and survival e?uipment1 or have recommendations "or improvements1 Coast Guard personnel de0rie"ing survivors should o0tain the "ollo ing in"ormation and include it in the SAR case stud, or narrativeE <1= General condition o" e?uipment1 including de"ects and inherent capa0ilities% <#= Coast Guard approval num0er <i" approved=% <3= Name o" manu"acturer <i" not approved=% <-= SiFe1 capacit,1 or model num0er <i" not approved=% <.= $ate o" manu"acture% and <3= Survivor statements on their e:perience ith the e?uipment1 including use and e""ectiveness. 3.?.9.> !reedo" of Infor"ation Act *!2IA- considerations. *O!A governs releasing case studies to the pu0lic. Certain portions o" case studies ma, 0e e:empt "rom release under the *reedom o" !n"ormation Act or i" the incident is under litigation1 some records could "all ithin the pu0lic disclosure e:emptions. Re"er to re"erence <i= and consult ith ,our servicing ;egal O""ice "or speci"ic instructions on release o" in"ormation prior to releasing case studies.
CO+$&!NS& +13138.#C
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US Coast Guard SAR

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CHAPTER 3 SEARCH PLANNING

SAR+!S Reports SAR Case Studies

Section 3.1 SAR Planning and Operations Overvie

Section 3.! Searc" Planning #et"ods and Tools

$ri"t &ime 9o long has the search o0@ect 0een adri"tI

<&his page intentionall, 0lan)=

Section 3.3 Searc" Planning $aria%les

Section 3.& Initial Response' Searc" Planning' and Searc" Operations

Ta/le 302 S&'are Pattern Co"$'tations

Ta/le 303 Sector Search Co"$'tations

!i%'re 30< Center Point06and"ar

<i= &he USA* message address isE

S&RA&R4CONC4N O**U&& A*2 N4>>$ORS>>

Section 3.( Resc)e Planning and Operations

Section 3.* #eas)res o+ Searc" E++ectiveness

Section 3., Aspects o+ S)rvival

<&his page intentionall, 0lan)=

Section 3.Concl)sion O+ SAR Operations

Section 3.. Case /oc)0entation

hen the SAR operation is

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