MerchantShipSearchand RescueManual (MERSAR)

Foreword
In 1969 IMO considered search and rescue matters, and as a first step preparedtheMerchantShipSearchandRescueManual(MERSAR). This manualwasadoptedbytheseventhIMOAssemblyin1971. The purpose of this Manual is to provide guidance to those who, during emergencies at sea, may require assistance or may be able to render assistance.Inparticular, itwasdesignedtohelpthemasterofanyshipwho mightbecalledupontoparticipateinsearchandrescueoperations. Following the adoptionof the International Convention onMaritimeSearch and Rescue, 1979 and approval of the IMO Search and Rescue Manual (IMOSAR Manual) by the thirtyeighth session of the Maritime Safety Committee, the MERSAR Manual was revised to take account of the provisionsoftheConventionandalsotoalignit,whereappropriate,withthe IMOSARManual. SincethattimetheMERSARManualhasbeenamended bytheMaritimeSafetyCommitteeonanumberofoccasionstotakeaccount of technological changes and related amendments to international conventions,resolutionsandrecommendationsaffectingSARoperationsand procedures. The presentfifth edition (I 993)ofthemanualincorporatesallamendments adoptedbytheMaritimeSafetyCommitteeuptoandincludingthoseadopted atitssixtiethsession(610April1992),whichbecameapplicableon8April 1993.

5.4 Planningthesearch7 5.5 Visualsearch.7 5.6 Radarsearch.7 5.7Intervalbetweenships..8 5.8Searchingspeed8 5.9Searchpatterns.8 5.10 Initiationofsearch8 5.11 Restrictedvisibility..8 5.12Furtheractiononcompletionofinitialphase9 5.13Useofship/aircraftcoordinatedpattern9 5.14Evidenceofcasualtyfound..9 5.15 Manoeuvringinstructions.9 5.16Standardtextsofmessages9 Chapter6Conclusionofsearch 6.1Searchsuccessful Rescue.11 6.2Searchunsuccessful.11 Chapter7Communications Marineradiocommunicationfacilitiesavailable fordistresspurposes12 Visualcommunicationfacilities12 Communicationswithassistingaircraft13 Airsurfacevisualsignals..14

7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4

Chapter8 Aircraftcasualtiesatsea 8.1 Aircraft/shipcommunications..14 8.2Distresssignals.15 8.3Actiontakentorenderassistanceifaircraftisstill airborne.15 8.4 Rescueaction15 8.5 Questioningsurvivors15 AnnexI Standardformatforsearchandrescuesituationreports(SITREPS)

Contents
Page Introduction 0.1 Purpose.1 0.2 Categoriesofdistressincidents1 0.3 Obligationsandresponsibilities.1 0.4 Positionreportingsystems.2 0.5 Abbreviations2 0.6 Termsanddefinitions2 Chapter1 Coordinationofsearchandrescueoperations 1.1 Requirementsforcoordination.2 1.2 Coordinationbylandbasedauthorities2 1.3 Onscenecoordination..2 1.4 DesignationofOSCandhisresponsibilities..3 1.5 DesignationofCSSandhisresponsibilities3 1.6 RCC/RSCcommunicationswithOSC/CSS...3 Chapter2 Actionbyashipindistress 2.1 Transmissionofthedistressmessage.3 2.2 Componentsofthedistressmessage..3 2.3 Directionfindingandhoming4 2.4 Cancellationofdistressmessages..4 2.5 Training4 Chapter3 Actionbyassistingships 3.1Distresscallandmessage4 3.2Immediateaction4 3.3 Proceedingtotheareaofdistress4 3.4 Onboardpreparation4 3.5 Aircraftcasualties.4 3.6 EstablishmentoftheCSS4 3.7 VisualidentificationoftheCSS4 3.8 Controlofintershipradiocommunications5 3.9 Approachingthescene.5 3.10 Arrivalonscene Searchprocedures5 Chapter4 AssistancebySARaircraft 4.1 General.5 4.2 Assistancebyhelicopters5 Chapter 5.1 5.2 5.3 5 Planningandconductingthesearch Genera..6 ResponsibilityofCSS6 Definitions.6

Annex2 Manoverboardmanoeuvres..16 Annex3 RegulationV/10oftheInternationalConvention fortheSafetyofLifeatSea,1974....16

Introduction 0.1
0.1.1

Purpose
ThepurposeofthisManualistoprovideguidanceforthosewho duringemergenciesatseamayrequireassistancefromothersor whomaybe abletorendersuchassistancethemselves. In particular,itisdesignedtoaidthemasterofanyvesselwho mightbecalledupontoconductsearchandrescue(SAR) operationsatseaforpersonsindistress.

0.2
0.2.1

Categoriesofdistressincidents
Ingeneral,distressincidentsfallintotwo maincategories: .1 coastal inwhichsomeorallofthefollowingmaybe availabletoassist:ships,aircraft,helicoptersandshore basedlifesavingfacilities .2 ocean inwhichshipsandlongrangeaircraftmaybe availablealthough,inthemore remoteoceanareas,only shipsmaybeavailable.

0.3
0.3.1

Obligationsandresponsibilities
ThebasisforthisManualistheinternationalconventionswhich setoutresponsibilitiesforassistanceatsea.Itisacceptedasthe normalpracticeofseamen, indeedthereisanobligationupon masters,thattheyrendereveryassistancewithintheirpowerin caseswhereapersonorpersonsareindistressatsea.These obligationsaresetoutinregulationV/10oftheInternational ConventionfortheSafetyof LifeatSea,1974(SOLAS1974), whichisquotedinannex3.

0.4
0.4.1

Positionreportingsystems
Positionreportingisaninstrumentforsearchandrescue. Therefore,mastersareencouragedtomakefulluseofposition reportingarrangementsandfacilitieswherevertheyexist.

0.5

Abbreviations
CES coastearthstation

CRS Cs CSP css D/F ELT EPIRB ETA HF INTERCO MERSAR MF osc RCC RSC RU SAR SITREP SRR UTC VHF

coastradiostation callsign commencesearchpoint coordinatorsurfacesearch directionfinding emergencylocatortransmitter emergencypositionindicatingradiobeacon expectedtimeofarrival highfrequency InternationalCodeofSignals MerchantShipSearchandRescueManual mediumfrequency onscenecommander rescuecoordinationcentre rescuesubcentre rescueunit searchandrescue situationreport searchandrescueregion UniversalTime(Coordinated) veryhighfrequency

ELEMENTSFUNCTIONS
SARAUTHORITY

COORDINATING

RCC/RSC

SARRESOURCES

SOURCES
CRS/CES/ALERTING FACILITY

RELAYING/ RESPONDING

SHIPS/AIRCRAFT

WITNESS

ALERTING
DISTRESSEDUNIT

0.6

Termsanddefinitions

ThetermslistedbelowaretakenfromtheInternationalConventionon MaritimeSearchandRescue,1979,andhavethefollowingmeanings: .1 searchandrescueregion. Anareaofdefineddimensionswithin whichsearchandrescueservicesareprovided. .2 rescuecoordinationcentre. Aunitresponsibleforpromoting efficientorganizationofsearchandrescueservicesandfor coordinatingtheconductofsearchandrescueoperationswithina searchandrescueregion. .3 rescue subcentre. A unit subordinatetoarescuecoordination centre established to complement the latter within a specified area withinasearchandrescueregion. .4 rescueunit. Aunitcomposedoftrainedpersonnelandprovided withequipmentsuitablefortheexpeditiousconductofsearchand rescueoperations. .5 onscenecommander. Thecommanderofarescueunit designatedtocoordinatesearchandrescueoperationswithina specifiedsearcharea. .6 coordinatorsurfacesearch. Avessel,otherthanarescueunit, designatedtocoordinatesurfacesearchandrescueoperationswithina specifiedsearcharea.

1.3

Onscenecoordination

1.3.1 Inallcircumstancesmerchantshipsareliabletobeinvolvedin searchandrescueoperationseitherinconjunctionwithspecializedSARunits orindependently.Intheformercasemerchantshipsmayreceiveinformation additionaltothatobtainablefromdistresstrafficorspecificrequestsfrom landbasedSARauthorities.However,andinviewofthegeneralpracticeof cooperationbymerchantships,itmustbeemphasizedthatnoorderoradvice receivedfromtheseauthoritiescansetasidetheobligationortherightsofany masterassetoutinregulationV/10ofSOLAS1974. 1.3.2 Onscenecoordinationbetweentheunitsconcernedwillbe requiredandthe roleofmerchantshipsinthiscontextwillbegovernedbythe followingconsiderations: .1 IfspecializedSARships(includingwarships)arenotavailableto assumethedutiesofonscenecommander(OSC)butanumberof merchantshipsareparticipatingintheoperation,itwillbenecessarythat oneoftheseassumethedutyofcoordinatorsurfacesearch(CSS). DetailedguidanceconcerningtheselectionoftheCSSanditstaskis containedinparagraph3.6. .2 IfspecializedSARships(includingwarships)and/orSARaircraftare onscenesimultaneouslywithmerchantships,itcannormallybeexpected thatonespecializedunitwillassumethedutiesofonscenecommander (OSC).Merchantshipscanthenexpecttoreceivespecificinstructions fromtheOSC(normallyviathespecializedshipsiftheOSCisairborne). TheOSCisthecommanderofthatspecializedunitwhichisinchargeof onsceneSARoperations. .3 ItisimportantthattheCSSandanySARaircraftpresentshouldco ordinatetheiroperations.Directcommunicationbetweenunitson2,182 kHzor,ifavailable,156.8MHz(VHFchannel16)wouldbemost desirable.However,althoughmanyshipsandSARaircrafthaveoneor bothofthesefacilities,thisdoesnotapplyuniversally.Inthelattercase intercommunicationandcoordinationcanbeeffectedviatheCRSand landbasedSARauthority. .4 Owingtothepotentialhazardofcollisionandthenoiseproblem associatedwithhelicoptersoperatinginaconfinedspaceduringrescue operations,itisessentialthattheiroperationsbecoordinatedbytheunit inbestcommunicationwiththem.ThismaybetheRCC,theOSC,the CSS,oneofthehelicoptersorafixedwingaircraft.Thisunitshould provideoperatingareasandaltitudesforthehelicoptersandbe responsivetotherequirementsofhelicoptersaswellastherequirements ofsurfacerescueunitswhoseoperationsmaybehamperedbyhelicopter noiseandrotorwash.

ChapterI Coordinationofsearchandrescue operations 1.1Requirementsforcoordination

1.1.1 Theeffectiveconductofsearchandrescueoperationsessentially requirescoordinationbetweentheorganizationsandunitsconcernedwhich cancompriseaircraft,shipsandshorebasedlifesavingfacilities.Themethod bywhichthiscoordinationisachievedvaries,dependingonthedetailed organizationineacharea.Thefollowinggeneraldescriptionillustratesthe mainconsiderationsandemphasizestheparticularroleofmerchantships.

1.2

Coordinationbylandbasedauthorities

1.2.1 Certaingovernmentsvestresponsibilityindesignatedlandbased authoritiestoexercisegeneralcoordinationandtosupervise,asappropriate, theconductofsearchandrescueoperations.Thistaskisusuallycarriedout byunitsestablishedforcoordinatingsearchandrescueindesignatedareas. Theunitsareusuallyreferredtoasrescuecoordinationcentres(RCC)or rescuesubcentres(RSC)andtheareasassearchandrescueregions(SRR). 1.2.2 Insomeregionstheseauthoritieshavespecializedshipsand aircraft(SARunits)availabletoparticipateinthesetasks.Otheraircraftand ships,militaryandnavalorotherwise,whichhaveaSARcapabilityarealso employedasavailable.Whenincidentsoccurinremoteregions,SARaircraft maynotalwaysbeabletoparticipate. 1.2.3 Inthemajorityofregions,merchantshipswillnormallybeableto participatealthoughthedegreewilldependonshippingdensity.Inthis contexttheroleofcoastradiostations(CRS)isofspecialimportancebecause theyareinclosecontactwithlandbasedSARauthorities. 1.2.4 Anexampleofnationaldistressalertingandsearchandrescue organization:

1.4DesignationofOSCandhisresponsibilities
1.4.1 WhenrescueunitsareabouttoengageinSARoperations,oneof shouldbedesignatedOSCasearlyaspracticableandpreferablyorearrival withinthespecifiedsearcharea. 1.4.2 TheappropriateRCCorRSCshoulddesignateanOSC.Ifthisis practicable,unitsinvolvedshoulddesignatebymutualagreementan OSC.

1.4.3UntilsuchtimeasanOSChasbeendesignated,thefirstrescueunit ingatthesceneofactionshouldautomaticallyassumethedutiesand onsibilitiesofanOSC. 1.4.4TheOSCshallberesponsibleforthefollowingtaskswhenthesee notbeenperformedbytheresponsibleRCCorRSC,asappropriate: .1 determiningtheprobablepositionoftheobjectofsearch,the probablemarginoferrorinthisposition,andthesearcharea .2 makingarrangementsfortheseparationforsafetypurposesof unitsengagedinthesearch .3 designatedappropriatesearchpatternsfortheunitsparticipatingin thesearchandassigningsearchareastounitorgroupsofunits .4 designatedappropriateunitstoeffectrescuewhentheobjectofthe searchislocated .5 coordinatingonscenesearchandrescuecommunications. 1.4.5 AnOSCshallalsoberesponsiblefor: .1 carryingouttheplanfortheconductoftheoperationas directedbytheRCCorRSCwhichiscoordinatingthe search andrescueoperation .2 modifyingtheplanfortheconductoftheoperationas facilitiesandonsceneconditionsdictateandinformingthe RCCorRSCofanysuchmodification .3 makingperiodicreportstotheRCCorRSCwhichis coordinatingthesearch andrescueoperations.These reportsshouldincludebutnotbelimitedto,weatherand seaconditions,theresultsofsearchtodate,anyactions taken,andanyfutureplansorrecommendations .4 maintainingadetailedrecordoftheoperation,including onscenearrivalanddeparturetimesofSARunitsandother vesselsandaircraftengagedintheoperation,areas searched,trackspacingused,sightingsandleadsreported, actionstakenandresultsobtained .5 advisingtheRCCorRSCtoreleaseunitswhentheyareno longerrequired .6 reportingthenumberandnamesofsurvivorstotheRCCor RSCwhichiscoordinatingsearchandrescueoperations, providingthecentrewiththenamesanddesignationsof unitswithsurvivorsaboard,reportingwhichsurvivorsare ineachunitandrequestingadditionalassistancefromthe centrewhennecessary,forexample,medicalevacuationof seriouslyinjuredsurvivors.

2.1.3 Itisalsorecommended,inremoteoceanareas,totransmitthe distresscallandmessageinadditiononaship/shoreH/FcircuittoaCRS(see paragraph7.1.2).Thisshouldbedoneinallcaseswheredistresscallson500 kHz,2,182kHzor156.8MHz(VHFchannel16)arenotrepliedtobyother stations. 2.1.4 Shouldtherebeanydoubtconcerningthereceptionofthedistress message,itshouldalsobetransmittedonanyfrequencyavailableonwhich attentionmightbe attracted,suchasanintershipfrequencywhichmaybein useinlocalareas.Beforechangingfrequency,however,adequatetimeshould beallowedforreply. 2.1.5 Intheeventoffailureoftheship'sradiostation,itmaybepossible totransmitamessageusingtheportableequipment,providedforusein survivalcraft,connectedtotheship'smainaerialsystem. 2.1.6 Theuseofanemergencypositionindicatingradiobeacon (EPIRB)maybeafurthermeansofalertingshipsinthevicinity.

2.2
2.2.1

Componentsofthedistressmessage
Importantcomponentsofthedistressmessageinclude: .1identificationoftheship .2position .3 natureofthedistressandkindofassistancerequired .4 anyotherinformationwhichmightfacilitatetherescue (e.g.courseandspeedifunderwaythemaster'sintention, includingthenumberofpersons,ifany,leavingtheshiptypeof cargo,ifdangerous). Itwillalsobeimportanttofurnishrelevantinformationsuchas: .1 weatherinimmediatevicinity,directionandforceofwind, seaandswell,visibility,presenceofnavigationaldangers (e.g.icebergs) .2 timeofabandoningship .3 numberofcrewremainingonboard .4 numberofseriouslyinjured .5 numberandtypeofsurvivalcraftlaunched .6 emergencylocationaidsinsurvivalcraftorinthesea .7 (forcasualtiesunderway,particularlywheretheseretain theuseorpartialuseofenginesandsteering)courseand speed,andanyalterationsthereto.

2.2.2

1.5
1.5.1

DesignationofCSSandhisresponsibilities

Ifrescueunits(includingwarships)arenotavailabletoassumethe dutiesofanOSCbutanumberofmerchantshipsorothervessels areparticipatinginthesearchandrescueoperation,oneofthem shouldbedesignatedbythecoordinatingRCCastheCSS.Ifthis isnotpracticable,unitsinvolvedshoulddesignateaCSSby mutualagreementandkeeptheRCCinformed. 1.5.2 TheCSSshouldbedesignatedasearlyaspracticableand preferablybeforearrivalwithinthespecifiedsearchareas. 1.5.3 TheCSSshouldberesponsibleforasmanyofthetaskslistedin paragraph1.4asthevesseliscapableofperforming(seealsoparagraph3.6).

1.6
1.6.1

RCC/RSCcommunicationswithOSC/CSS
Inadditiontocommunicationssetoutinchapter7,anRCCor RSCmaypassinformationtoanOSCorCSSusingtheSITREP formatgivenatannex1.

2.1
2.1.1

Chapter2 Actionbyashipindistress Transmissionofthedistressmessage

Ashipindistressshouldtransmitthedistresscallandmessageon anyoneormoreofthefollowinginternationalmaritimedistress frequenciesasmaybeavailable: 500kHz(radiotelegraphy) 2,182kHz(radiotelephony)and 156.8MHz(VHFchannel16)(radiotelephony).

2.2.3 Whenrequestingmedicalassistance foranillorinjuredperson, additionalrelativeinformation,asindicatedbelow,shouldbefurnished. Otherinformationmayalsobenecessaryincertaincases.Codesfrom chapter3ofthe InternationalCodeofSignalsmaybeusedifnecessaryto helpovercomelanguagebarriers.Ifmedicalevacuationsarebeing considered,thebenefitsofsuchanevacuationmustbeweighedagainstthe inherentdangersofsuchoperationstoboththepersonneeding assistanceandtorescuepersonnel .1 patient'sname,age,gender,nationalityandlanguage .2 patient'srespiration,pulserate,temperatureandblood pressure .3 locationofpain .4 natureofillnessorinjury,includingapparentcauseand relatedhistory .5 symptoms .6 type,time,formandamountsofallmedicationsgiven .7 timeoflastfoodconsumption .8 abilityofpatienttoeat,drink,walkorbemoved .9 whetherthevesselhasamedicalchest,andwhethera physicianorothermedicallytrainedpersonisaboard .10 whetherasuitableclearareaisavailableforhelicopterhoist operationsorlanding .11 name,addressandphonenumberofvessel'sagent .12 lastportofcall,nextportofcall,andETAofnextportof calland .13 additionalpertinentremarks. 2.2.4 Itwillnormallybeimpracticabletoincludeallinformationinthe initialdistressmessage.Thetimingofsubsequenttransmissionswillbe governedbycircumstances.Ingeneral,iftimeallows,aseriesofshort messageswillbepreferabletooneortwolongones.

.1 .2 .3

2.1.2 Itisfurtherurgentlyrecommendedthatanydistresstransmissions onthefrequency500kHzor2,182kHzbeprecededbytheappropriatealarm signal.

2.3

Directionfindingandhoming

2.3.1Subsequenttothetransmissionofthedistressmessageon500kHz,

twodashesof10to15secondsdurationshallbetransmitted,eachfollowed bytheship'scallsign,toenablecoastdirectionfindingstationsandshipsto takeaD/Fbearing.Thistransmissionshouldberepeatedatregularintervals. 2.3.2Incaseswhere2,182kHzisusedsimilaractionshouldbetaken,usinga continuedrepetitionofthecallsignornameofshiporalongnumericalcount inplaceofthetwodashesmentionedinparagraph2.3.1above.

Shoulcltheshipindistressfailtotransmitthisinformation,aship proceedingtoassistshouldrequestwhatinformationisneeded.

3.4

Onboardpreparation

2.4

Cancellationofdistressmessages

2.4.1 Distressmessagesshouldalwaysbecancelledassoonassavingof lifeisnolongerrequiredorsearchisterminated.

2.5

Training

2.5.1 Itisimportantthatallmeansforindicatingthepositionofshipsin distressorsurvivalcraftshouldbeproperlyused.Radiotransmissionsshould bemadeassoonaspossiblebutothermeans,e.g.rocketsandhandflares, shouldbeconserveduntilitisknownthattheymayattracttheattentionof aircraftorshipsinthevicinity.Theattentionofmastersisdirectedtothe greatadvantageofpriortraining,sothatasmanyoftheship'screwaspossible arefamiliarwiththeproperuseofalltheappliancesprovidedfortheirsafety.

Chapter3 Actionbyassistillgships 3.1 Distresscallandmessage

3.1.1 Shipsmayreceive: .1thealarmsignaland/ordistresscallandmessagefromaship,directlyor byrelay .2thedistresscallandmessagefromanaircraft,usuallybyrelayfroma CRS .3signalsemittedbyEPIRB,consideredtobedistresssignals .4visualorsoundsignalsfromshipsoraircraftindistress.

3.4.1 Whileproceeding,itwillbeimportanttomakeadequate preparations.Certainofthemeasuresthatmightbeconsideredare: .1 arope(guestwarp)runningfrom bowtoquarteratthe waterlineoneachsideandsecuredbylizardstotheship'sside toassistboatsandraftstosecurealongside .2 aderrickriggedreadyforhoistingoneachsideoftheship withaplatformcargosling,orropenet,securedtotherunner toassistthespeedyrecoveryofexhaustedorinjuredsurvivors inthewater .3 heavinglines,laddersandscramblenetplacedreadyforuse alongbothsidesoftheshiponthelowestopendeckand possiblycrewmemberssuitablyequippedtoenterthewater andassistsurvivors .4 aship'sliferaftmadereadyforpossibleuseasaboarding station.Inflatableliferaftsshouldnotbeactivatedunless required .5 preparationstoreceivesurvivorswhorequiremedical assistanceincludingtheprovision ofstretchers .6 whenownlifeboatistobelaunched,anymeanstoprovide communicationsbetweenitandtheparentshipwillproveto beofverygreathelp .7 alinethrowingappliancewithalightlineandaheavyrope, readytobeusedformakingconnectioneitherwiththeship indistressorwithsurvivalcraft.

3.5
3.5.1

Aircraftcasualties
Ifthecasualtyisanaircraft,supplementaryinformationis containedinchapter8.

3.2

Immediateaction

3.6

EstablishmentoftheCSS

3.2.1 Thefollowingimmediateactionshouldbetakenbyeachshipon receiptofadistressmessage .1 acknowledgereceiptand,ifappropriate,retransmitthe distressmessage .2 trytotakeimmediatelyD/Fbearingsduringthe transmissionofthedistressmessageandmaintainaD/F watchon500kHzand/or2,182kHz .3 communicatethefollowinginformationtotheshipin distress: (i)identity (ii)position (iii)speedandexpectedtimeofarrival(ETA) (iv)whenavailable,truebearingoftheshipindistress .4 maintainacontinuouslisteningwatchonthefollowing internationaldistressfrequencies: (i) 500kHz(radiotelegraphy) (ii)2,182kHz(radiotelephony)and (iii)156.8MHz(VHFchannel16)(radiotelephony) .5 operateradarcontinuously .6 ifinthevicinityofthedistress,postextralookouts. 3.2.2 Theshiporcoaststationincontrolofdistresstrafficshould establishcontactwiththeresponsibleareaRCCthroughaCRSandpasson allavailableinformation,updatingasnecessary. 3.2.3 Shipswhichareabletocommunicateonthedistressfrequencies 500kHz,2,182kHzand156.8MHz(VHFchannel16)shall,if appropriate,repeatthedistressmessageonthesefrequencies.

3.6.1ThedutiesoftheCSSaretoorganizeandcoordinatesearchandrescue operationsbymerchantships.Thisisliabletobeacomplextaskandthis considerationhasabearingontheselectionoftheCSS(seeparagraph13). 3.6.2 ItismostdesirablethattheCSSshouldbeestablishedasearlyas practicableandpreferablybeforearrival"onscene". 3.6.3 TheCSSmustbeestablishedbymutualagreementbetweenthe shipconcernedandthecoordinatingRCC,havingdueregardtotheship's capabilitiesandETA.However,theunitwhicharrivesfirstshouldtake suchimmediateactionasmayberequired. 3.6.4 ItisimportantthattheCSSshouldhavegood radiocommunicationfacilities. 3.6.5 Incaseoflanguagedifficultiesthe InternationalCodeofSignals andStandardMarineNavigationalVocabularyshouldbeused(seealso paragraph5.16). 3.6.6 Onassumingtheduty,theCSSshouldimmediatelyinforma CRS.Itshouldalsokeepitinformedofdevelopmentsatregularintervals. 3.6.7 TheCSSshouldkeeptheRCC/RSCcoordinatingsearchand rescueoperationsinformedatregularintervalsandwheneverthesituation haschanged.

3.7
3.7.1

VisualidentificationoftheCSS
TheCSSshoulddisplaycontinuouslythefollowingvisualsignals: .1BYDAY InternationalCodeGroup"FR", .2BYNIGHT AdistinctivesignalwhichtheCSSwillpromulgate.

3.3
3.3.1

Proceedingtotheareaofdistress
Shipsproceedingtotheareaofthedistressshouldplotthe position,course,speedandETAofotherassistingships.

3.3.2 Thecommunicationequipmentwithwhichshipsarefittedmaybe obtainedfromtheInternationalTelecommunicationUnion's"ListofShip Stations". 3.3.3 Shipsshouldattempttoconstructanaccurate"picture"ofthe circumstancesattendingthecasualty.Theimportantinformationneeded, whichshouldbeincludedinthedistressmessage,islistedinparagraph2.2.

3.8Controlofintershipradiocommunications
3.8.1 ItwillbenecessaryfortheCSStocontroltheavailableintership communicationchannels.Thestrictestradiodisciplineand procedure shouldbeexercised.

3.9

Approachingthescene

3.9.1 Whenapproachingthescene,shipsshouldmakefulluseofany radiodirectionfindingfacilitiesto"home"andsimilarlytolocateany transmissionsfromEPIRB.CharacteristicsofanEPIRBarecontainedin chapter7. 3.9.2 Theradarshouldbeoperatedandeffectivelookoutsmaintained (seechapter5,figure55fortypicalradardetectionranges). 3.9.3 Atnight,searchlightsshouldbeusedorsomeformofsurface illuminationshouldbecontrived. 3.9.4 TheCSSshouldbekeptinformedofanycontactsmadebyD/F, radarorvisualsightings.IftheCSShasnotbeenestablished,this informationshouldbetransmittedtoallstationsonthedistressfrequency orfrequencies. 3.9.5 Shipsshouldtakemeasurestomakethemselveshighlyvisibleto survivors,suchasmakingsmokeduringthedaytimeandkeepingthe shipwelllitatnight.However,cautionshouldbetakenasitisvitally importantnottoimpairthevisionoflookoutsbytheexcessiveuseof lights. 3.9.6 Whensearchingforsurvivors,whomightpossiblybeincanopied liferafts,shipsshouldsoundwhistlesignalswhilesearchingtoattractthe attentionofthesurvivorssothattheycanusevisualsignallingdevices. 3.9.7 Extralookoutsshouldbepostedsoastosearcha360'arcaround theshipforthedurationofthesearch.Thiswillprovideforsighting signalssetoffbysurvivorsevenaftertheshiphaspassedthem. 3.9.8Theship'screwshouldbeprohibitedfromdumping debrisoverthe sideforthedurationofthesearchtopreventthedebrisfromcausingfalse sightings.

4.2.3 Certainrescue.operationswillinvolverisksforthehelicopter crew.Thereforeitisessentialineachcasetoevaluatetheseriousnessof thesituationandtoascertaintheneedforhelicopterassistance. 4.2.4 In supplyingequipmentahelicopternormallycomestoahover overaclearedspaceandlowerstheequipmentbymeansofitswinch cable.Personnelondeckneedonlyunhookthecable. 4.2.5 Duringrescueoperationsahelicopternormallyusesaspecial deviceforhoistingorloweringpersons.Largehelicoptersfrequently loweramemberoftheirowncrewaboardtheshipforassistinginthe disembarkationprocedureandintheuseoftheequipment.Forthe evacuationofpersons,theendofthehoistingcablemaybeprovidedwith oneofthefollowingmeans: .1 arescuesling .2 arescuebasket .3 arescuenet .4 arescuelitter .5 arescueseat. 4.2.5.1 Themostwidelyusedmeansforevacuatingpersonsistherescue sling.Therescueslingissuitedforthepurposeofquicklypickingup persons,butitisunsuitableforpatients.Rescueslingsareknownby severalnamesandcomeinslightlydifferentshapesandconfigurations(see figure41).Sliiigsmaybemadeofwebbed,beltedmaterialsimilartothat usedin parachuteharnesses.Theslingisputoninmuchthesamewayas oneputsonacoat,ensuringthattheloopoftheslingispassed behindthe backandunderbotharmpits.Thepersonusingtheslingmustface thehook. Handsshouldbeclaspedinfrontasshown.Onemustnotsitin thesling,norshouldtheslingbeunhooked. 4.2.5.2 SomeSARhelicopterunitsusethedoubleliftmethodwhich consistsofanormalrescuesling,andaseatingbeltmannedbyahelicopter crewmember.Thismethodissuitableforpickupfromthewaterorthe deckofincapacitatedpersons,notwoundedbadlyenoughsothatalitterhas tobeused.Thehelicoptercrewmemberputsthepersonintotheslingand conductsthehoistoperation. 4.2.5.3 Theuseoftherescuebasket doesnotrequireanyspecial measures.Thepersontousethebasketmerelyclimbsin,remainsseated andholdson. 4.2.5.4 The rescuenet hasaconical"birdcage"appearanceandisopen ononeside.Thepersontousethenetmerelyenterstheopening, sitsinthe netandholdson. 4.2.5.5Patientswillinmostcasesbedisembarkedbymeansofarescue litter.Notwithstandingaship'slittermaybeavailableinmostcases,the evacuationofpatientsshouldnormallybedoneinaspeciallitterprovidedby thehelicopter.Tothislitterbridlesarefitted,anditcanquicklyandsafetybe hookedonandoff,forforwhichpurposeasuitablehookisattachedtothe hoistingcable.Evenifthetransferofthepatientfromtheship'sownstretcher tothelitterprovidedbythehelicopterispainful,itshouldbepreferdtoarisky evacuationinalitterwhichisnotsuitedforthepurpoes. 4.2.5.6Therescueseat lookslikeathreeprongedanchorwithflatflukes orseats.Thepersontobehoistedmerelysits astrideoneortwoofthethe seatsandwrapshisarmsaroundtheshank.Thisdevicecanbeusedtohoist twopersonsatonce.. 4.2.6Adirectradiolinkshouldbeestablishedbetweenshipand helicopter.However,anexchangeofinformationandinstructionsabout rendezvouspositions,etc.maybeestablishedthroughshorebasedradio staions.Whenthehelicopterisequippedwithasuitabledirectionfinder, thereisalsothepossibilityofidentifyingashipandofhomingonitby makinguseoftheshipsradiotransmissiononanagreedfrequency.A listofavailablefrequenciesforcommunicationwithassistingaircraftis containedinparagraph7.3. 4.2.7 Meansofcommunicationbetweenshipandhelicopterarefurther indicatedintheInternationalCodeofSignals Generalsection,I DISTRESS EMERGENCYunder"Aircraft helicopter". 4.2.8 Thepositionoftheship,aswellasthecourseandspeedtothe rendezvousposition,shouldbegiveninthefullestpossibledetail,and

3.10

ArrivalonsceneSearchprocedures

3.10.1 Ifthecasualtyhasnotbeenlocated,asearchshouldbeinitiated withoutdelayusinganappropriatesearchpattern(seechapter5). 3.10.2 Tocoordinatethesearcheffectively,theCSSshouldmaintaina generalplotoftheareaundersearchandassistingshipsshoulddothe same.Insearchplanning,theCSSshouldmakefulluseofallelectronic navigationaldevices.

Chapter4 AssistancebySARaircraft 4.1 General

4.1.1 ShipsindistressorsurvivorsatseamaybesuppliedbySARaircraft withspecialitemsofdroppableequipment,whichmaycomeincontainersor packagesofdifferenttypesanddimensions. Thecontentsofeachcontainerorpackageshouldbeclearlyindicatedinprint inatleastthreelanguages,byselfexplanatorysymbols,andalsobystreamers colouredaccordingtothefollowingcode: Red medicalsuppliesandfirstaidequipment Blue foodandwater Yellow blanketsandprotectiveclothing Black miscellaneousequipmentsuchasstoves,axes,compasses, cookingutensils,etc. Combinationofcolours mixedcontents. Miscellaneousequipmentmayinclude,inparticular: .1 individualliferaftsorseveralliferaftslinkedbyabuoyantrope .2 buoyantradiobeaconsand/ortransceivers .3 dyeandsmokemarkersandflamefloats .4 parachuteflaresforillumination .5 salvagepumps.

4.2

Assistancebyhelicopters

4.2.1 A helicoptermaybeusedtosupplyequipmentand/orrescueor evacuatepersons. 4.2.2 Theradiusofhelicopteractionusuallyvariesbetween50and200 nauticalmilesfrombaseandliftingcapacitybetweenoneandmorethan15 personsdependingonthesize andtypeofaircraft.

further,thelocalweathersituationandparticularsabouthowtoidentify theshipfromtheair.Also,informationshouldbesubmittedofthe identificationmeanstobeused,suchasflags,orangesmokesignals, spotlights,daylightsignallinglampsorheliograph. 4.2.9 Aslargeaclearstretchofdeckaspossibleshouldbe madeavailableasapickuparea.Theareaofdeckwhichisclearof obstructionsshouldbemarkedwithayellowpaintedcircularshape about5mindiameterwhichisappropriatetotheclearareaavailable. Duringthenight,winchingareafloodlightingshouldbeprovidedand thefloodlightsshouldbelocatedsoastoavoidglaretopilotsinflight ortopersonnelworkingonthearea.Thearrangementandaimingof floodlightsshouldbesuchthatshadows arekepttoaminimum.The spectraldistributionofthefloodlightsshouldbesuchthatthesurface andobstaclemarkingscanbecorrectlyidentified.obstaclesshouldbe clearlyidentifiedbyobstaclelights.Wherewinchingarea floodlightingandobstaclelightingcannotbeprovided,theshipshould inconsultationwiththepilot,beilluminatedasbrightlyaspossible particularlythepickupareaandanyobstructions,e.g.masts,funnels, etc.Careshouldbetakenthatsuchilluminationwillnotblindthe helicopterpilot. 4.2.10 Inadditiontotheremovalofobstaclesoneshouldbearinmindthe strongaircurrentcausedbythehelicopter.Clothingorotherobjectslying aboutshouldbeclearedawayorsecured. 4.2.11 Undercertaincircumstancesthehelicopterpilotmaypreferadeck spaceotherthantheonepreparedfordisembarkation.Ifthedecksoftheship donotofferasuitableplace,thehelicoptermaybeabletoliftapersonfroma lifeboatoraliferaft,securedonalongpainter.Caseshaveoccurredof liferaftsbeingoverturnedbythedowndraughtfromthehelicopter.Itis thereforeadvisableforallpersonsinarafttoremaininthecentreoftheraft untiltheyareabouttobelifted. 4.2.12 Portablefirefightingequipmentforoilfiresshouldbestationed nearthedisembarkationspace.Also,ifpossible,thefirefightingpump shouldbestartedandhosesshouldbeconnectedandkeptinreadiness. 4.2.13 Forbetteridentificationfromtheair,andalsoforshowingthe directionofthewindtothehelicopterpilot,flagsandpennantsshouldbe flown. 4.2.14 Allcrewmembersconcerned,aswellasthepersontobe evacuated,shouldwearlifejackets.Thisprecautionmaybeabandonedonly whenitwouldcauseunjustifiabledeteriorationoftheconditionofthepatient tobetransferred. 4.2.15 Careshouldbetakenthatthepatientdoesnotwearlooseclothing orheadgear. 4.2.16 Onnoaccountshouldtheliftingdeviceontheendofthewinch cablebesecuredtoanypartoftheshiporbecomeentangledintheriggingor fixtures.Ship'spersonnelshouldnotattempttograsptheliftingdeviceunless requestedtodosobythehelicopter.Eveninthiscase,ametalpartofthe liftingdeviceshouldfirstbeallowedtotouchthedeckinordertoavoid possibleshockduetostaticelectricity. 4.2.17 Whenhelicopterhoistingistobedonefromcarriersof flammable/explosivecargoorinthevicinityofaflammablemixturespillage, thehoistingmustbegroundedclearofspillageorthecarrier'stankventing areainordertoprecludeapossiblefireorexplosionfromanelectrostatic discharge. 4.2.18 Thehelicopterpilotwillwanttoapproachtheshipinsuchaway thatthehelicopterwillhoverintotherelativewindandwiththepilot'sside (starboard)closesttotheshipduringtheapproach.Ifthehemliaciontpatienr istoapproachintheusualmanner,fromthestern,theshipshouldaconstant 0 speedthroughthewaterandkeepthewind30 ontheportbow.Wherethe o hoistingareaisnotatthestern,theshipshouldkeepthewind30 ontheport
0 boworoneitherbeamiftheareaisamidships,or30 onthestarboardquarter iftheareaisforward.Aflowofair,asfreeofturbulenceaspossible,clearof smokeandothervisibilityrestrictions,overthehoistingareaisveryimportant topermitasmoothandsafepickupordelivery.Theseproceduresmaybe modifiedoninstructionsfromthepilotifcommunicationsexist.

4.2.19 Generally,personalbelongingsshouldnotbetakenalong.Loose gearcanbecomeentangledinthehoistcableor,worseyet,becomesuckedup intothehelicopterrotorswithdisastrouseffects. 4.2.20 Thefollowinghoistingsignalsmaybeused: DONOTHOIST Armsextendedhorizontally,fingers clenched,thumbsdown. HOIST Armsraisedabovethehorizontal,thumbsup. (Ifasurvivorhastogivethehoistingsignal himself,heshouldraiseonlyonearmto preventslippingoutofthesling.) (Note. If itisdesiredtoincludemarshallingsignals,standardsignalscanbe selectedfromannex2oftheConventiononInternationalCivilAviation.)

5.1

Chapter5 Planningandconductingthesearch General

5.1.1 Inorderthatsurfaceunits,andespeciallymerchantshipsonscene, will be able to search effectively, in conjunction with SAR aircraft when available, it is essential that search patterns and procedures should be preplannedtoenablemerchantshipsofallflagstocooperateincoordinated operations with the minimum difficulty and delay. To achieve this aim, a number of search patterns to meet varying circumstances have been established. 5.1.2 Typicalmanoverboard manoeuvresare given in annex2tothis manual.

5.2

ResponsibilityofCSS

5.2.1 As indicatedinparagraph3.10,itistheresponsibilityoftheCSS to select and then to initiate in conjunction with assisting ships the most suitablesearchpattern. 5.2.2 It is equally the responsibility of the CSS to adjust the search patterninview ofthesubsequentdevelopmentswhichmayinclude: .1additionalassistingshipsarriving .2 additionalinformation .3 weatherconditions,visibilityanddaylight.

5.3
5.3.1

Definitions
Thefollowingdefinitionsrelatetotheconductandexecution ofsearchpatterns:

.1Datum The most probable position of the search target at a given time, taking into account the expected effect of drift since the initial positionoftheincidentwasestablished. .2 Drift Theestimatedcompositeresultantofwind,currentand/ortidal streamwhichmaycauseachangeinthepositionofthesearchtarget. .3 Expandingsquaresearchpattern Atypeofsearchpatternsuitableforasingleshipwhichshould searchoutwardinexpandingsquaresfromthedatum(seepattern1). .4 Leeway Themovementofanobjectcausedbyitsbeingpushedthroughthe waterbylocalwindsblowingagainsttheexposedsurfaceofsuch object. .5 Seacurrent Thecurrentprevailingintheopenseathatiscausedbyfactors otherthanlocalwinds. .6 Sectorsearchpattern Atypeofsearchpatternsuitableforasingleshipinspecial circumstances(e.g.manoverboard)inwhichtheshipsearches radiallyfromdatumusingasystemofsectors6facircle(see patternla). .7 Paralleltracksearchpatterns Searchpatternssuitablefortwoormoreshipsinwhichallships maintainparallelcourses(seepatterns2,3,4and5). .8 Ship/aircraftcoordinatedsearchpattern Asearchpatterninwhichashipandanaircraftconducta coordinatedsearch(seepattern6). .9 Windcurrent Thesurfacecurrentprevailingintheopenseageneratedbywinds pushingthewateralong. .10 Additionaltermsused Anexplanationofthetermstrack,commencesearchpoint, and trackspacingisgiveninfigure51.

5.4
5.4.1

Planningthesearch

squaringitoffwithtangents.Theareamaybeenlargedwhensufficient searchunitsarrive(seefigure54).

Itwillbenecessarytoestablishadatumtakingintoaccountthe followingfactors: .1reportedpositionandtimeofcasualty .2 timeintervalbetweenshipsproceedingtoassistandtheirarrivalonthe scene .3 estimatedsurfacemovcmentsofthecasualtyand/orsurvivalcraftduring theperiodmentionedin(b).Thesewilldependprimarilyondrift.Figure53 providesestimatesofleeway .4 thelikelihoodofSARaircraftarrivingonscenebeforeassistingships .5 anysupplementaryinformationsuchasD/Fbearingsorsightings.

Determingtheinitialmostprobableareaforsearch
MOSTPROBABLEAREA

DRIFT Initial position

Termsusedwithsearchpatterns: paralleltrackpatterns
CB

DATUM

UseR=10milesforinitialarea FIGURE54

SSSS

DA FIGURE5.1 Track Thepathfollowedbyasingleship(i.e.fromA,whichisthe commencesearchpoint(CSP), toDthroughBandC). Trackspacing Thedistancebetweenadjacentsearchtracksindicated bythedimensionS.

Note: Inviewofthevariationinconstructionandsizeofliferafts,the uncertaintyofthenumberofpeopleonboardandwhetheracanopyor droguehasbeendeployed,thedriftofindividualtypesofliferaftmayvary considerably.Figure53representsapproximatedriftcharacteristicsforall typesoffullyoccupiedinflatableliferaftsofvariouscapacities: 1 withoutdrogue 2 withanimprovedballastsystem 3 withdrogue 4 withdroguebutwithcanopynotdeployed. Becauseofthepossiblevariationsofliferaftconfigurations,theboundariesof the above drift values givenbyI and 4inthe figure represent approximate limits forliferaft drift. However,itshouldbenotedthatforanunoccupied, partially occupied or waterlogged liferaft, the drift may fall outside of the parametersshown. 5.4.5 Theremaybeoccasions,withsmallcraftinparticular,whenlarge errorsmayadverselyaffectthecomputationofthedatum.Itisnevertheless importanttosearchasmallerareathoroughlyratherthanattempttocovera largeronelesseffectively. 5.4.6 Withparalleltracksearchpatterns,theCSSwillneedtodecide theinitialcoursetobesteeredbysearchingships.Thisshouldnormallybein thedirectionofdrift.Where,however,thelineofapproachtothesceneof assistingshipswouldenableasearchtobeinitiatedmorerapidly,therewould beadvantagesinmakingtheinitialcoursethereciprocalofthelineofdrift.

Termsusedwithsearchpatterns: expandingsquarepatterns
B S SSSS A

5.5
5.5.1 S 5.5.2 FIGURE52 Track ThepathalongthelinefrompointAtopointB. Trackspacing IndicatedbydimensionS.

Visualsearch
Individualsearchpatternshavebeendesignedwiththeaimof providingareadymadeframeworktoenableasearchbyoneor moreshipstobeinitiatedrapidlybytheCSS. Inevitably,therewillbeanumberofvariablesthatcannotbe foreseen.Searchpatternsbasedonvisualsearchhavebeen establishedwhichshould,however,meetmanycircumstances. Theyhavebeenselectedforsimplicityofexecution.

5.6
5.4.2 Unless landbased, authorities supply a datum it will be the responsibility of the CSS to do so and to communicate this information to assistingshipsandappropriateCRS. 5.4.3 It will be at the discretion of the CSS to communicate revised datumasnecessary. 5.4.4 Whenplanningthesearch,theCSSwillfirstneedtoplotthe datumandtheinitialmostprobablearea.NormallytheRCCcoordinating searchandrescueoperationswillforwardtotheCSSallrelevantdataon searchareasandsearchprocedures.Themostprobableareaisthearea centredonthedatum,withinwhichthesearchtargetismostlikelytobe,after allowanceismadeforprobableerrorsindatumduetoinaccuracyinthe reportedpositionofthecasualtyand/ortheestimateofdrift.Fortheinitial stageitissuggestedthatthisareabeestablishedbydrawingacircleofradius 10mileswithcentreatdatumforthetimeofstartingthesearch,andthen 5.6.1

Radarsearch
Whenseveralassistingshipsareavailabletheremay,attimes,be advantagesincarryingoutaradar,especiallyincircumstances whenthepositionofthecasualtyisnotknownreliablyandthe prospectsofSARaircraftparticipatingareremote.Noprescribed patternhasbeenprovidedinlooselineabreastmaintainingan intervalbetweenshipsoftheexpecteddetectionrangemultiplied by1(seefigure55).

Radardetectionrangesforendoncontacts
Target Radarscannerheight 15m30m (nauticalmiles)

10,000gtship 1,000gtship 200gtship 9mboat

13,018,0 6,08,4 5,57,7 1,92,7

Searchobject Personinwater 4personliferaft 6personliferaft 15personliferaft 25personliferaft Boat5m(15ft) Boat7m(23ft) Boat12m(40ft) Boat24m(79ft)

0.4 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.7 1.1 2.0 2.8 3.2

0.5 3.2 3.6 4.0 4.2 1.4 2.9 4.5 5.6

0.6 4.2 5.0 5.1 5.2 1.9 4.3 7.6 10.7

0.7 4.9 6.2 6.4 6.5 2.1 5.2 9.4 14.7

0.7 5.5 6.9 7.3 7.5 2.3 5.8 11.6 18.1

FIGURE55 Theaboverangesrelatetonormalatmosphericconditions.Asthe radarechostrengthwillfluctuateconsiderablywithaspect,thefigures areonlytobeusedasaguide.

5.7

Intervalbetweenships
FIGURE56

5.7.1 Atthestartofaparalleltracksearch,theintervalshowninthis manualshouldbeused.CircumstancesmayoccurwhentheCSS considersitprudenttoaltertheintervals.Allsearchingshipsshould endeavourtomaintainstationaccurately.

5.10

Initiationofsearch

5.8

Searchingspeed

5.8.1 Tocarryoutaparalleltracksearchinacoordinatedmanner,all unitsshouldproceedatthesamespeedasdirectedbytheCSS.Thisshould normallybethemaximumspeedoftheslowestshippresent.Inrestricted visibility,theCSSwillnormallyorderareductioninsearchingspeed(see paragraph5.11).

5.9

Searchpatterns

5.9.1 Availablesearchpatternsareasfollows: .1 expandingsquaresearch:forusebyoneship seepattern1 .2 sectorsearch:forusebyoneship(specialcasesmanoverboard, etc.) seepatternla .3 paralleltrack:forusebytwoships seepattern2 .4 paralleltrack:forusebythreeships seepattern3 .5 paralleltrack:forusebyfourships seepattern4 .6 paralleltrack:forusebyfiveormoreships seepattern5 .7 ship/aircraftcoordinatedsearch:forusebyshipandaircraft seepattern6. 5.9.2 Intheeventofthearrivalofassistingaircraftduringtheexecution ofoneoftheabovesearchpatterns,itisusuallydesirableforthesurface nitstocontinueandtocompletetheexistingsearch.Theaircraftshould earchindependentlyusingthesurfaceunitsasanavigationalreference ointifdesired.Atthecompletionofthecurrentsearch,theCSSorOSC hould decidethemosteffectivemethodofemployingunitsathisdisposal. 5.9.3 Thesesearchpatternsgive,ingeneral,goodvisualcoverageofthe rea.However,incircumstancesinwhichthesearchingspeedisslow,the formationonwhichthedatumisbased isincompleteorunreliable,orhen highdriftratesareencountered,theyhaveinevitablelimitations.oan extent,thesecanbecompensatedforbythearrivalofadditionalarch units,recomputingdatumandthemostprobableareaperiodically,d expandingthesearchareamoreinonedirectionthaninanother. 5.9.4 Thetrackspacings(S)showninfigure56arerecommendedfore withallthesearchpatternsshowninthisManualexceptforthesector arch(patternla).Figure56takesintoaccountthetypeofsearchobject dthemeteorologicalvisibility.Trackspacingsmaybedecreased slightly,wever,toincreasetheprobabilityofdetection,ormaybe increasedhtlytoincreasetheareacoveredinagiventime.Otherfactors mayobeconsidered,includingseacondition,timeofday,positionofthe Ieffectivenessofobservers,etc.

5.10.1 Whenoneshiparrivesonscenewellinadvanceoftheothers,it shouldproceeddirectlytodatumandcommenceanexpandingsquaresearch. 5.10.2 Ifpossible,datummaybemarkedbyputtingoverforexamplea liferaftorotherfloatingmarkerasacheckondrift.Thiscanthenbeusedasa datummarkerthroughoutthesearch. 5.10.3 Asothershipsarrive,theCSSshouldselectoneofthesearch patterns2,3,4or5asappropriateandallocatetracknumberstoindividual ships.InPeriodsofgoodvisibilityandwithsufficientsearchunitsonhand, theCSSmayconsideritadvisabletoletthefirstshipcontinueitsexpanding squaresearchwhiletheothersconductaparalleltracksearchthroughthe samearea.Inperiodsofrestrictedvisibility,orifsufficientsearchunitsare notavailable,itwillprobablybebettertohavethefirstshipbreakoffthe expandingsquaresearchandsobeavailableforinitiationofatracksearch.

5.11

Restrictedvisibility

5.11.1 Thecarryingoutofaparalleltracksearchinrestrictedvisibilityposes problemsonaccountofthefollowingconsiderations: .1 thedesirabilityofreducingtheintervalbetweenshipsasfar aspossible consistentwithsafety .2 theresultinglossofcoverage .3 thepotentialriskofcollison. 5.11.2 Duringperiodsofrestrictedvisibility,theCSSshoulddirecta reductionofspeedasnecessary.insuchcircumstancesanyshipnotfitted withradar,orwhoseradarhasbecomedefective,shouldconsiderdropping asternofothershipsinformingtheCSSofitsaction.Thisshipshould continuethesearchwhenitjudgesitsposition,relativetoothersearching ships,safetodoso. 5.11.3 Ifandwhenthesituationimprovessufficiently,theshipshould endeavourtpresumeitsproperstation,againadvisingtheCSS. 5.11.4 Ifthereisareductioninvisibilityandshipshavealreadystartedto carryoutasearchpattern,theCSSmaydecidethatthesafestactionwould betocontinuethepatterninforcedespitetheresultinglossofcoverage. 5.11.5ShoulditbenecessaryfortheCSStoconsiderinitiatinganyofthe searchpatternsduringconditionsofrestrictedvisibility,thefollowing factorsshouldbe borneinmind: .1 ships will be proceeding at reduced speed and searches will thereforetakelonger 2tosearchthoroughlytheareainsuchconditionsmustmeana reductionintrackspacingasprovidedforinfigure56 .3reductionintrackspacingwouldrequireeitherareductioninthe intervalbetweenshipsand,thus,thecarryingoutofmoresweeps. Bearingallthesefactorsinmind,thecsSmaythereforedecidetoaccepta reductionintheareasearchedandshouldhaveregardtothedirectionand rateofestimateddriftindecidingwhethertoacceptareductioninoneor bothofthelengthandwidthofthesearcharea. 5.11.6 Inallcircumstancesshouldtherebeasubsequentimprovementin visibility,theCSSshouldinitiatesuchactionsaswillbestmakegoodthe lostcoveragewhichhastakenplace.

Trackspacing(S)formerchantvessels

Meteorologicalvisibility (mauticalmiles) 10 5 15

5.12Furtheractiononcompletionofinitialphase
20 5.12.1 TheCSSwillnormallyconsidertheinitialphasetohavebeen completedwhen,intheabsenceoffurtherinformation,searching ships

havecompletedonesearchofthemostprobablearea.ifatthatstage nothinghasbeenlocated,itwillbenecessaryfortheCSStoconsiderthe mosteffectivemethodofcontinuingthesearch. 5.12.2 Failuretolocatethesearchtargetmaybedueto oneormoreof thefollowingcauses: .1 errorsinpositionowingtonavigationalinaccuraciesand/or inaccuracyinthedistresscommunicationsreportingtheposition. Thisisespeciallylikelytoapplyifthepositionofdatumwasbased onanestimateusingincompleteinformation .2 anerrorindriftestimation .3 failuretosightthetargetduringthesearchalthoughitwasin thesearcharea.Thisismostlikelytooccurifthetargetisasmall craft,survivalcraftorsurvivorsinthewater .4 thecasualtyhavingsunkwithouttrace.Otherthanthecaseofa smallshiporcraftinroughweather,experiencesuggeststhatthereis alwayslikelytobesometrace,evenifonlydebrisand/oroilpatches .5 navigationalinaccuraciesofthesearchingships.Thisismost likelytoapplywhennavigationalfixescannotbeobtained. 5.12.3 ThreecoursesofactionareopentotheCSS: .1 researchthesameareaallowingforaddeddriftduringthe timeelapsedsincecalculatinglastdatum .2expandthemostprobablearea,afterallowingforaddeddrift andsearchtheexpandedarea.Dependingoncircumstancesand informationavailable,itmaybeadvisabletoexpandthearea moreinonedirectionthananother .3 determineanentirelynewprobableareabasedupon additionalinformationreceived. Exceptincaseswherealargeshipisthetargetandsmalltrack spacinghasbeenused,(a)or(b)aboveareindicated,depedingonthe numberofsearchunitsthathavearrived.Whereinformationlils receivedtoindicathattheoriginaldatumwasgrosslyinaccurate,(c) wouldbeadvisable. 5.12.4Asmalltarget,whichiseasilymissedinthedaytime,may becomvisible atnightifitshowslights,flaresorotherPyrotechnics. TheCSSshould,therefore,considerusingsurfacecraftatnighttore searchareacoveredbyday.Itisgoodpractice,whensearchingfor survivorsinsmalcraft,insurvivalcraft,orinthewater,tostop occasionallytheenme atnightorinrestrictedvisibilitybydaytolisten forcriesofhelp.

theseasshouldalsocheckedsincetheymaybeaffectedmorebythis thanbythewind.

5.15Manoeuvringinstructions
5.15.1TheInternationalRegulationsforPreventingcollisionsatSea continuetoapplyfullywhilecarryingoutsearches.Themanoeuvringand warningsignalswillbeofparticularimportanceinthecircumstances. 5.15.2 Themasterofanyshiptakingpartinasearchshouldendeavourto carryoutalldirectionshemayreceive,buthemustatalltimeshaveregardto thesafetyofhisownshipandcrew. 5.15.3Toinitiateand conductcoordinatedsearchpatterns,itwillbe necessaryfortheCSStotransmitalimitednumberofmanoeuvring instructionsbythemostappropriatemeans. 5.15.4Whenpracticable,theCSSshoulduseplainlanguageforthese purposes.Itis,however,importantthattheactualtextofthemessagefor theinitiationofapatternandthatofsubsequentmessages relatingtoits conductoradjustmentshouldbeinastandardform.Alistofstandardtexts forthispurposeiscontainedinparagraph5.16.1. 5.15.5Unlessatimeisspecifiedinthetext,individualshipsshould proceedasnecessarytoexecutethepurportofthemessageonreceipts 5.15.6ShouldcircumstancesrequiretheCSStodirecttheshipsalteration ofcourse(e.g.participatinginapatterntocarryoutamajoranewarea,it wouldbeover901),as,forexample,beforeproceedingtodesirableforthe CSStodirectthisintwosteps. 5.15.7 Wherelanguagedifficultiesexist,the TnternationalCodeof Signalsorthe StandardMarineNavigationalVocabularyshouldbeused asfaraspossible.ManyusefulsignalswillbefoundintheGeneral Section,,especiallypartsIandVII,oftheCode.Thisappliesbothto informatorymessagesfromassistingshipsandtodirectionsbytheCSS.

5.16
5.16.1

Standardtextsofmessages

5.13

Useofship/aircraftcoordinatedpattern

5.13.1 Theship/aircraftcoordinatedattern(seepattern6) wouldnormallyonlybeusedifthereisanOSCppresenttogive directiontoandprovidecommunicationswiththeparticipatingship. Theobjectiveofthistypeofsearchisfortheaircrafttodomostofthe searching,whiletheshipsteamsalongacourseataspeedasdirected bytheOSC,sothattheaircraftcanuseitasanavigationalcheckpoint. Theaircraft,asitpassesovertheship,caneasilymakecorrectionsto stayonthetrackofitssearchpattern.Suchacoordinatedsearchgives ahigherprobabilityofdetectionthancannormallybeattainedbyan aircraftsearchingalone.Shipspeedvariesaccordingtothespeedof theaircraftandthesizeofthepattern.

5.14

Evidenceofcasualtyfound

5.14.1 Insomecases,thesearchmayprovideevidenceofthe casualtythoutsurvivorsbeingfound.Thisevidencemayprovide informationrarecalculationofdatumandrevisionofthesearcharea. 5.14.2Whenanabandonedshipislocated,itmayhavedriftedbefore thendfasterthansurvivalcraft.Insuchacase,concentrationofsearch windisrecommended.However,alowlying,halfsunkenloadedship aydriftmoreslowlythanafloatingsurvivalcraft,evenifadrogueis used.derelictmaydriftataconsiderableangleofftheprevailingwind direction. 5.14.3 Whenwreckageislocateditusuallyconsistsofdebris and/oranIslick.Shouldthishavecomefromthedistressedship, survivalcraft11usuallybefounddownwindfromthedebris.Insome cases,however,shipmayhavebeenabandonedsometimebefore sinking,inwhichesurvivalcraftmaybeupwind.Bothpossibilities shouldbeconsidered.tisknown,orsuspected,thatsurvivorsareinthe water,theareaintochtheymayhavebeenforcedbythebuffetingof

Thefollowingsignalsaretobeusedinconjunctionwiththe conductofstandardsearchpatterns. ReferenceTextormeaning .Codegroups (a)Carryoutsearchpattern.startingFRI at..hours.Initialcourse. Searchspeed..knots. (b)Carryoutradarsearch,shipsproceedinginFR2 looselineabreastatintervalsbetweenships of.miles.Initialcourse Searchspeed.knots. (c) Vesselindicated(callsignoridentitysignal)FR3 isallocatedtracknumber.. (d) Vessel/sindicatedadjustintervalbetweenFR4 shipsto...miles. (e) Adjusttrackspacingto.miles.FR5 (f) Searchspeed willnowbe..knots.FR6 (g) Youshouldaltercourseto(atMH timeindicated). (h) Youshouldsteercourse..MG (i)AltercourseasnecessarytonextlegofFR7 tracknow(orattimeindicated). 5.16.2 SomeotherusefulsignalsintheInternationalCodeofSignals: ReferenceTextormeaning Codegroups (a) Iam(orvesselindicatedis)in chargeofco FR ordinatingsearch. (b) Mymaximumspeedis.(number)SJ knots. (c) Ihavenoradar.OI (d) IhaveanechoonmyradaronbearingON ......,distance..miles. (e) Iamalteringcourseto..MI (f) Ihavesightedsurvivalcraftinlat. GH long..(orbearing..distance ........fromme). (g) Ihavelocated(orfound)wreckagefromGL thevessel/aircraftindistress(positionto beindicatedifnecessarybylat.. andlong...orbearing..

fromspecifiedplaceanddistance.). EstimatedsetanddriftofsurvivalcraftisFP ........degreesand.knots. (i) IwishtocommunicatebyVHFradio YY telephonyonchannelindicated. (j)Repeatthedistressposition. (k)PositiongivenwithSOS/MAYDAYis FH wrong.Thecorrectpositionislat........ long.......... (h) PATTERN1

PATTERN2

Paralleltracksearch 2ships

EL

Direction ofdrift

DATUM SmilesSmiles SmilesSmilesSmiles

Expandingsquaresearch1ship

Smiles Track2Track1 SmilesSmiles Smiles PATERN3 DATUM Smiles Direction ofdrift

Paralleltracksearch 3ships

APROACH COURSE DATUM PATTERN1a

Sectorsearch 1ship
Forusewhenpositionofsearchtargetisknownwithincloselimits,witha smallprobablearea. Examples. (a)manoverboard shipreturnsimmediatelytodatum (b)searchtargetisoncesightedandthenlost shipheadsfor datum.

SmilesSmiles SmilesSmilesSmiles

Track2Track1

Track3

PATTERN4
0 120

Paralleltracksearch 4ships
2miles

Direction ofdrift First leg 2miles DATUM SmilesSmilesSmiles SmilesSmilesSmilesSmiles Datum 2miles Track4Track2Track1Track3

0 Allturnsare120 tostarboard.Startpatternatdatum.Thispatterngives veryhighprobabilityofdetectionclosetodatumandspreadsthesearchver theprobableareaquickly. 0 Uponcompletionoffirstsearch,reorientthepattern30 totherightand searchasshownbythedashedline.

PATTERN5

Paralleltracksearch 5ormoreships

Direction

ofdrift 6.1.8 Forcasesinvolvingevacuationbyhelicopter,seechapter4.

DATUM SmilesSmiles SmilesSmiles

6etc. Track4Track2Track1Track3Track57etc. PATTERN6

6.1.9 Thedirectionofapproachtothecasualty(orsurvivors)will dependuponcircumstances.Somecasualties,suchasshiponfire,may havetobeapproachedfromwindwardandothers,suchasrubber liferafts,fromleeward.Thetwokeyfactorsarewhetherateeside protectionisnecessaryduringtherescue operationandthecomparative ratesofdriftofthecasualtyandtherescuingship.Iftimepermits,it maywellbetotherescuingship'sadvantagetoassesstherelativerates ofdrift.Thisprecautionmaypreventseriousmishapsduringthe rescueoperations.Ingeneral,survivorsinthewaterarebest approachedfromthewindwardside. 6.1.10 lfpracticable,arrangementsshouldbemadeforinjuredpersonnel requiringtheattentionofamedicalofficertobetransferredtoaship carryingone. 6.1.11 Inanoceanincident,ifthereisnoshipavailablewithamedical officeronboard,theCSSshouldconsidertransmittinganurgencymessage requestingsuchashiptorendezvous.Ifnecessary,theCSSshouldcontact aCRS.Wherepositionreportingsystemsareavailable,informationfrom aCRSontheavailabilityofshipswhichhaveamedicalofficershouldbe requested. 6.1.12 Inacoastalincident,thelocalRCCshouldarrangeformedical assistancetobesentfromashore.ThelocalCRSmayactasan intermediaryintheproceedings. 6.1.13 Survivorsshouldbequestionedconcerningtheshiporaircraftin distress,itscomplement,casualtiesandwhetheranyothersurvivorsor survivalcrafthavebeenseen.Thisinformationshouldbepromptlyrelayed totheCSS. 6.1.14 Whenallrescuingactionhasbeeneffected,theCSSshould immediatelyinformallshipsthatthesearchhasbeenterminated.

Coordinatedcreepinglinesearch1shipand1aircraft

ShipscourseasdirectedbyOSC

Chapter6 Conclusionofsearch 6.1 SearchsuccessfulRescue

6.l.1Thefollowingparagraphsoutlineprocedureswhichmaybe adoptedwhenrescuingsurvivors. 6.12Oncethecasualtyorsurvivorhasbeensighted,theCSSshould assessthebestmethodofrescueanddirectthemostsuitablyequipped shiporshipstothescene. 61.3Inthecaseofsurvivorsinthewater,therescuingshipmayfind itnecessarytorigscramblenets,orlaunchlifeboatsorliferaftsand havecrewmemberssuitablyequippedtoenterthewatertoassist survivors.Greatcareshouldbeexercisedinthehandling ofsuch survivors. 6.1.4Inthecaseoffireorextremelyheavyweather,orwhereitis impossiblefortherescueshiptocomealongside,itmaybefound expedienttotowalifeboatorliferafttoacloserposition. 6.1.5Inheavyweather,theuseofoilforreducingtheeffectofthesea shouldbeconsidered.Experiencehasshownthatvegetableoilsand animaloils,includingfishoils,aremostsuitableforquellingwaves.If thesearenotavailable,lubricatingoilsshouldbeused.Fueloilshould notbeused,exceptasalastresort,asitisharmfultopersonsinthe water.Lubricatingoilislessharmfulandtestshaveshownthat200 litresdischargedslowlythrougharubberhosewithanoutletjustabove thesea,whiletheshipproceedsatslow speed,caneffectivelyquella seaareaofsome5,000squaremetres. 6.1.6 Inheavyweather,ashipwithalowfreeboardmaybe bettersuitedtoeffectrescue. 6.1.7 Aboardingstationmayberiggedbymooringaliferaft alongside.Itisparticularlyusefulwhenlifeboatsareused.Survivors canbequicklyunloadedintotheboardingstation,releasingtheboat foranothertrip.

6.1.15 TheCSSshouldinformthenearestCRSoftheconclusionofthe searchandgivethefollowingdetails: .1 namesanddestinationsofshipswithsurvivorsand numberofsurvivorsineach .2 physicalconditionofsurvivors .3 whethermedicalaidisneeded .4 thestateofthecasualtyandwhetheritisahazardto navigation.

6.2

Searchunsuccessful

6.2.1 TheCSSshouldcontinuethesearchuntilallhopeofrescuing survivorshaspassed.However,theconditionmayarisewhentheCSS mustmakeadecisiontoterminateanunsuccessfulsearch.Whenmaking thisdeterminationheshouldkeepthefollowingfactorsinmind: .1 theprobabilitythatsurvivors,ifalive,wereinthesearcharea .2 theprobabilityofdetectionofthesearchtarget,ifitwereintheareas searched .3 theavailabilityoftimeremainingthatsearchunitscanremainon scene .4 theprobabilitythatsurvivorsmightstillbealivegiventhe temperature,windandseaconditionsatthetime(seefigures61and 62).

Guidetosurvivaltimeforpersonsinwater ofvarioustemperatures
0 Temperature( C) Lessthan2 Expected timeofsurvival Lessthanhour

2to4 4to10 10to 15 15to20 Over20

Lessthan1hours Lessthan3hours Lessthan6hours Lessthan12hours Indefinite(dependsonfatigue) FIGURE61 7.1.4Theaeronauticalfrequencies3,023kHzand5,680kHzmaybe usedforcommunicationsbyshipsandparticipatingcoastradiostations engagedincoordinatedSARoperations. 7.1.5 Emergencypositionindicatingradiobeacons(EPIRBs)operate on2,192kHzand/ortheaeronauticalfrequencies*121.5MHzand/or243 MHz.Merchantshipswillnotnormallybeabletoreceive121.5MHzand 243MHz.Thosedevicesmaybeselfactivatedwhenfloatingintheseaor manuallyoperated.Thecharacteristicsofthesignalson2,182kHzareas follows .1lowpowerbeacons: asingletoneofbetweenoneandfivesecondsinterruptedby periodsofsilenceofsimilarduration,transmittedcontinuously (*SomeJapaneseshipscarryEPIRBSwhichtransmitthe distresssignalandidentificationonfrequenciesbetween2,089.5 kHzand2,092.5kHz.) .2highpowerbeacons: asin(a)or theradiotelephonealarmsignalfollowedbytheMorse letterBand/orthecallsigntowhichtheradiobeacon belongs .3 thesignalsspecifiedin(b)maybetransmittedwithacontinuous cyclewhichconsistsofthetonesignalsforbetween30and 50secondsfollowedbyaperiodofsilenceof approximatelysimilarduration .4 certaintypesofbeacons,bothlowandhighpower,may incorporateafacilityenablingthecycletobeinterrupted forspeechtransmission. 7.1.6 GMDSSoperatingguidanceformastersof shipsindistress situationsisshowninfigure71.

Warning:

Theguidelinesset forthabovearemeanttoemphasizethe needforfastactionandnotasameansofsettinganarbitrary limitonsearcheffort.Caseshavebeenexperiencedwhere individualsfarexceededtheexpectedsurvivaltimes,andthis possibilityshouldalwaysbetakenintoconsiderationwhen decidinguponterminationofasearch. Itshouldbeborneinmindthattheexpectedtimesofsurvival givenaboveonlyapplytopersonsimmersedinwaterwithout anyprotectiveclothingandthattheycanbelongerforpersons wearinganysortofsurvivalsuitorthermalprotectiveaid.

Effectofwindonexposedpersons
Estimated windspeed (knots) 10 0 10 20 30 40 ormore Littledangerfor Properly
Dressed

Actualtemperature(C) 0 12 23 35 Increased Danger Of Freezingof Exposedflesh Great Danger Offreezingof Exposedflesh 45

Persons

7.2
7.2.1

Visualcommunicationfacilities
Thefollowingvisualmeansofcommunicationshouldbeused whenappropriate: .1 signallinglamp .2 internationalcodeflags .3 DistresssignalsprescribedinannexIVtothe1972Collision Regulations. .4 Thefollowingsignalsdescribethelifesavingsignalsreferred toinregulationV/16ofSOLAS1974,asamended,andare intendedforusebylifesavingstationsandmaritimerescue unitsengagedinSARoperationswhencommunicatingwith shipsorpersonsindistressandbyshipsorpersonsindistress whencommunicatingwithlifesavingstationsandmaritime rescueunits: (i) Repliesfromlifesavingstationsormaritimerescue unitstodistresssignalsmadebyashiporperson: Signification "Youareseen assistancewill begivenassoonaspossible." (Repetitionofsuchsignalshas thesamemeaning.)

INCREASEDWINDVELOCITIESGREATLYINCREASEDENGEROF FREEZINGOFEXPOSEDFLESH. PROTECTIVEMEASURESSHOULDBETAKEN. FIGURE62 6.2.2 Athisdiscretion,theCSS afterconsultationwithotherassisting shipsandlandbasedauthorities,asappropriate,shouldtakethe followingaction: .1oceanincident terminateactivesearch,adviseassistingshipsto proceedonpassageandinformthelandbased authorityaccordingly. Amessageshouldbesenttoallshipsintheareaaskingthemto continuetokeepalookout .2coastalincident consultwithlandbasedauthoritiesthroughthe localCRSasregardsterminationofsearch.

Chapter7 Commnications 7.1 Marineradiocommunicationfacilitiesavailablefor distresspurposes

7.11Thefollowingfrequenciesareavailableworldwidefordistress purpoes: .1 500kHz(radiotelegraphy) .2 2,182kHz(radiotelephony) .3 156.8MHz(VHFchannel16)(radiotelephony) .4 8,364kHzforsurvivalcraft. 7.1.2 Additionalfrequenciesavailableworldwidetosupplement2,182 kHzinclude4,125kHzand6,212.5kHz.

Signal Byday Orangesmokesignalor combinedlightandsoundsignal (thunderlight)consistingofthreesingle signalswhicharefiredatintervalsof approximatelyoneminute. Bynight Whitestarrocketconsistingof threesinglesignalswhicharefiredat intervalsofapproximatelyoneminute.

"Youareseen assistancewill begivenassoonaspossible." (Repetitionofsuchsignalshas thesamemeaning.)

Ifnecessarythedaysignalsmaybegivenatnightorthenightsignalsbyday. (ii) Landingsignalsforguidanceofsmallboatswithcrewsorpersons indistress: Signal BydayVerticalmotionofawhite flagorthearmsorfiringofagreenstar Signification

71.3Shipstransmittingadistressmessageonanyoftheabove frequenciesshould,wheneverpossible,usetheappropriatealarmsignal beforetransmittingthedistressmessageuntilcontactisestablishedwith rescuefacilities.

signalorsignallingthecodeletter K(.)givenbylightorsoundsignal apparatus. Bynight Verticalmotionofawhite lightorflare,orfiringofagreenstar signalorsignallingthecodeletter K(.) givenbylightorsoundsignal apparatus.Arange(indicationof direction)maybegivenbyplacinga steadywhitelightorflareatalowerlevel andinlinewiththeobserver. "Thisisthebestplacetoland."

starsignal. Bynight Verticalmotionofawhite lightorflareorfiringofagreenstar signal. Byday Horizontalmotionofa whiteflagorarmsextended horizontallyorfiringofaredstar signal. Bynight Horizontalmotionofa whitelightorflareorfiringofared starsignal.

"Tailblockismadefast." "Hawserismadefast.", Manisinthebreechesbuoy." "Haulaway."

Ingeneral "Negative." Specifically: "Slackaway." "Avasthauling."

Byday Horizontalmotionofawhite flagorarmsextendedhorizontallyor firingofaredstarsignalorsignalling thecodeletter S () givenbylightor soundsignalapparatus. BynightHorizontalmotionofa whitelightorflareofaredstarsignal orsignallingthecodeletterS () givenbylightorsoundsignal apparatus.

7.3 7.3.1 Landingherehighly dangerous."

Communicationswithassistingaircraft RadiocommunicationwithdesignatedSARaircraftshould normallybepossibleon2,182kHzortheVHFfrequencies156.8 MHzand156.3MHz.

7.3.2 ShipsmaycommunicateWithaircraftforsafetypurposes, includingSARcommunications,on3,023kHz,5,680kHz,121.5MHz, 123.1MHz,156.3MHz,156.8MHzand243MHz. 7.3.3 RadiocommunicationbetweenshipsandaircraftonSAR operationscanbeeffectedthroughthecoastradiostationtotheRCC.This systemshouldbeusedwhendirectcommunicationcannotbeestablishedon 2,182kHz,3,023.5kHz,5,680kHz,121.5MHz,123.1MHz,156.3MHz and156.8MHz. 7.3.4 Visualsignalsasdescribedin7.2.1maybeused. Aircraftindistress 7.3.5 Anaircraftindistressoveranoceanshould,inaccordance withICAOprocedures,advisetheairtrafficcontrol(ATC)authority ofthedistresssituationonthefrequencybeingusedforATCpurposes. 7.3.6 Ifditchingatseaislikely,theATCauthoritywillimmediately advisetheappropriateRCC.TheRCCwillalertshipswhichareina positiontoprovideassistance. 7.3.7 Whenalerted,shipswillberequestedtoestablish,ifpossible,a listeningwatchonthefrequency4,125kHz.Ifunabletousethe frequency4,125kHz,shipswillberequestedtoestablishawatchon thefrequency3,023kHz. 7.3.8 Theaircraftwillinitiallyattempttoestablishcommunicationson thefrequency4,125kHzand,ifthisisnotsuccessful,willthenattempt toestablishcommunicationsonthefrequency3,023kHz. 7.3.9 Intheeventthatditchingbecomesunnecessary,theaircraftwill initiatenotificationtocancelthedistresssituationinaccordancewith ITU/ICAOprovisions. Shipinanemergencyorindistress 7.3.10Ashipinanemergencyorindistressshouldsendanurgency signalordistressalertontheappropriateGMDSSdistressandsafety frequencyorviaINMARSAT. 7.3.11 WhenanaircraftcanassistorwillparticipateintheSAR operationasaSARunit,theRCCwillrequesttheshipwiththe emergencyorindistressandshipsassistingto establish,ifpossible,a listeningwatchonthefrequency4,125kHz.Ifunabletousethe frequency4,125kHz,shipswillberequestedtoestablishawatchon thefrequency3,023kHz. 7.3.12 Theaircraftwillinitiallyattempttoestablishcommunications onthefrequency4,125kHzand,ifthisisnotsuccessful,willthen attempttoestablishcommunicationsonthefrequency3,023kHz. 7.3.13 Iftheemergencyisoverandassistanceisnolongerrequired, theshipwillinitiatenotificationtocanceltheemergencyordistress

Horizontalmotionfollowedbywhite flagingroundandthecarryingof anotherwhiteflaginthedirectionto beindicatedorfiringofaredstar signalverticallyandawhitestar signalinthedirectiontowardsthe betterlandingPlaceorsignallingthe codeletterS () followedbythe codeletterR(. .) ifabetter landingPlaceforthecraftindistress islocatedmoretotherightinthe directionofapproachorthecode letterL (...) ifabetterlanding Placeforthecraftindistressis locatedmoretotheleftinthe directionofapproach. Bynight Horizontalmotionofa whitelightorflare,followedbythe Placingofthewhitelightorflareon thegroundandthecarryingof anotherwhitelightorflareinthe directiontobeindicatedorfiringofa redstarsignalverticallyandawhite starsignalinthedirectiontowards thebetterlandingplaceorsignalling thecodeletter S() followedby codeletterR(..) ifabetter landingplaceforthecraftindistress islocatedmoretotherightinthe directionofapproachorthecode letterL (...) ifabetterlanding placeforthecraftindistressis locatedmoretotheleftinthe directionofapproach.

Landingherehighlydangerous. Amorefavourablelocationfor landingisinthedirection indicated.

(iii)

Signalstobeemployedinconnectionwith theuseofshore lifesavingapparatus: Signification Ingeneral Affirmative." Specifically: "Rocketlineisheld."

Signal Byday Verticalmotionofawhite flagorthearmsorfiringofagreen

situationinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheITUkadio Regulations.

7.4 Airsurfacevisualsignals*
(*Thesesignalsareillustratedinappendix3tothe InternationalCode ofSignals.) 7.4.1 Signalswithshipsandsurfacecraft 7.4.1.1 Whenanaircraftwishestocommunicatewitha surfacecraft,whetherindistressornot,itmayeitherdropamessage oruseasignallinglampusingtheInternationalCodeofSignalsor plainlanguage(seenotefollowing7.4.2.1). 7.4.1.2 Thefollowingmanoeuvresperformedinsequencebyanaircraft meanthattheaircraftwishestodirectavesseltowardsashiporothercraftin distress: .1 circlingthevesselatleastonce .2 crossingtheprojectedcourseofthevesselcloseahead atlow altitudeand: .2.1 rockingthewingsor .2.2 openingandclosingthethrottleor .2.3 changingthepropellerpitch .3headinginthedirectioninwhichthevesselistobedirected .4 repetitionofsuchmanoeuvreshasthesamemeaning. 7.4.1.3 Thefollowingmanoeuvrebyanaircraftmeansthattheassistance ofthevesseltowhichthesignalisdirectedisnolongerrequired: .1 crossingthewakeofthevesselcloseasternatlowaltitude and: .1.1 rockingthewingsor .1.2 openingandclosing thethrottleor .1.3 changingthepropellerpitch. Note: Duetohighnoiselevelonboardvessels,thesoundsignalsin 7.4.1.2.2.2and7.4.1.2.2.3maybelesseffectivethanthevisual signalin7.4.1.2.2.1andareregardedasalternativemeansof attractingattention. 7.4.1.4 Avesselreceivingtheabovesignalswillreplyinthe followingmanner: .1whenacknowledgingreceiptofthesignalsitwill: .1.1 hoistthecodeandansweringpendant(verticalredand whitestripes)closeup(meaningunderstood) .1.2 flashtheMorsecodeproceduresignalT() bysignal lamp .1.3 changetheheadingintotherequireddirection .2whenindicatinginabilitytocomplyitwill: .2.1 hoisttheinternationalflagN(NOVEMBER)(ablueand whitechequerboardflag)or .2.2 flashtheMorsecodeprocedureN(.) bysignallamp.

7.4.2.3 Whenamessagedroppedbyanaircraftisnotunderstoodbythe survivors,theyshouldinformtheaircraftby: .1 flashingtheMorsecodeproceduresignalconsistingofthe groupRPT(.... ),meaning"Irepeat"or"repeatwhat youhavesent",withasignallamp,ifavailable .2 givingthenegativesignalconsistingofhorizontalmotion ofawhiteflagorofthearmsextendedhorizontallybyday orhorizontalmotionofawhitelightbynight. 7.4.3Surfacetoairvisualsignals 7.4.3.1Tocommunicatewithanaircraftasurfacecraftorsurvivorsmayuse: thesignalscontainedinfigure72,atorch, asignallinglamporsignalflags usingthe InternationalCodeofSignalsorplainlanguage. 7.4.3.2 Surfacecraftorsurvivorsmaysignalthemeaningsshownin figure72bydisplayingthemassymbolsonthedeckorontheground. Surfaceairvisualsignalcodeforusebysurvivors No. 1 2 3 4 Message Requireassistance Requiremedicalassistance Noornegative Yesoraffirmative Proceedinginthisdirection FIGURE72 7.4.3.3 Whenasignalmadeordisplayedbyasurfacecraftisunderstood byanaircraft,theaircraftshouldacknowledgethesignalby: .1 droppingamessageor .2 duringdaylight:rockingthewingsoftheaircraftor .3 duringthehoursofdarkness:flashingonandofftwicethe aircraft'slandinglights,orifnotsoequipped,byswitchingon andofftwiceitsnavigationlightsor .4 flashingtheMorsecodeproceduresignal T( ) meaning "wordorgroupreceived",orR(..) ,meaning"received" or"Ihavereceivedyourlastsignal/message",withasignal lampor .5anyothersignalagreedupon. 7.4.3.4 Whenasignalmadeordisplayedbyasurfacecraftisnot understoodbyanaircraft,theaircraftshouldinformthesurfacecraftby: .1 flyingstraightandlevelwithoutrockingwingsor .2 flashingtheMorsecodeproceduresignal RPT(.. . . ) ,meaning"Irepeat"or"repeatwhatyou havesent",withasignallampor .3 anyothersuitablesignalagreedupon. Codesymbol V X N Y

7.4.2 Signalswithsurvivors 7.4.2.1Whenanaircraftwishestoinformorinstructsurvivors,itshould: .1dropamessage .2dropcommunicationequipmentsuitableforestablishing directcontact. Note. Beforedroppingmessagesorequipment,theweather,size anddegreeofmanoeuvrabilityofthedistressedcraftshould betakenintoconsideration,e.g.lifeboatshavingmeansof propulsionmaybeabletorecovermessagesorequipment fromtheseaatsomedistance,butsurvivorsinliferaftswill experienceconsiderabledifficultyevenincalmweather. 7.4.2.2 Whenamessagedroppedbyanaircraftisunderstoodby thesurvivors,theyshouldacknowledgeitby: .1 flashing theMorsecodeproceduresignalT() "meaningwordorgroupreceived",orR(..) , meaning"received"or"Ihavereceivedyourlast signal/message",withasignallamp,ifavailable .2 givingtheaffirmativemanualsignalconsistingof verticalmotionofawhiteflagorofthearmsbydayor verticalmotionofthewhitelightbynight .3 usinganyothersuitablesignalagreedupon.

Chapter8 Aircraftcasualtiesatsea 8.1Aircraft/shipcommunications

8.1.1Whenanaircrafttransmitsadistressmessagebyradio,thefirst ransmissionisgenerallymadeonthedesignatedair/groundroute frequencyinuseatthetimebetweentheaircraftandaeronautical station.Theaircraftmaychangetoanotherfrequency,possibly anotherroutefrecluencyortheinternationalaeronauticalemergency frequenciesof121.5MHzor243MHz.Inanemergency,itmayuse anyotheravailablefrequencytoestablishcontactwithanyland, mobileordirectionfindingstation. 8.1.2 ThereisliaisonbetweenCRS,aeronauticalunits,andlandbased searchandrescueorganizations.Merchantshipswillordinarilybe informedofaircraftcasualti esatseabybroadcastmessagesfromCRS madeontheinternationaldistressfrequenciesof500kHz,2,182kHzor 156.8MHz(VHFchannel16).Shipsmay,however,becomeawareof thecasualtybyreceiving: .1 anSOSmessagefromanaircraftindistresswhichisable totransmit on500kHzoradistresssignalfroman

aircraftusingradiotelephonyon2,182kHzor156.8 MHz(VHFchannel16) .2 aradiotelegraphydistresssignalon500kHzfroma handoperatedemergencytransmittercarriedbysome aircraft .3 amessagefromaSARaircraft(seeparagraph7.3.2). 8.1.3ForthePurposeofernergencyconimunicationswithaircraft,special attentioniscalledtothePossibilityofconductingdirectcommunicationson 2,182kHzor156.8MHz(VHFchannel16),ifbothshipandaircraftcarry compatibleVHFequipment.

mechanisms.Theactivatinghandlesareinvariablyindicatedbyredor black/yellowcolouring.

8.5

Questioningsurvivors

8.2

Distresssignals

8.2.1 Anaircraftindistresswilluseanymeansatitsdisposaltoattract attention,makeknownitspositionandobtainhelp,includingsomeofthe signalsprescribedbytheInternationalRegulationsforPreventing CollisionsatSea.

8.3Actiontakentorenderassistanceifaircraftisstill airborne
8.3.1 Aircraftusuallysinkquickly(e.g.withinafewminutes).Every endeavourwillbemadetogiveshipsanaccuratepositionofanaircraftwhich desirestoditch.Whengivensuchaposition,ashipshouldatonceconsult anyothershipsinthevicinityonthebestproceduretobeadopted.Theship goingtotherescueshouldanswerthestationsendingthebroadcastandgive itsidentity,positionandintended action(seechapter3). 8.3.2 Ifashipshouldreceiveadistressmessagedirectfromanaircraft, itshouldactasindicatedintheimmediatelyprecedingparagraphandalso relaythemessagetothenearestCRS.Moreover,ashipwhichhasreceiveda distressmessagedirectfromanaircraftandisgoingtotherescueshouldtake abearingonthetransmissionandinformtheCRSandothershipsinthe vicinityofthecallsignofthedistressedaircraftandthetimeatwhichthe distressmessagewasreceived,followedbythebearingandtimeatwhichthe signalceased. 8.3.3 Whenanaircraftdecidestoditchinthevicinityofaship,theship should: .1 transmithomingbearingstotheaircraft,or(ifsorequested) transmitsignalsenablingtheaircrafttotakeitsown bearings .2 byday,makeblacksmoke .3 bynight,directasearchlightverticallyandturnonalldeck lights.Caremustbetakennottodirectasearchlight towardstheaircraft,whichmightdazzlethepilot.

8.5.1 Asurvivorfromanaircraftcasualtywhoisrecoveredmaybeable togiveinformationwhichwillassistintherescueofothersurvivors.Masters aretherefore askedtoputthefollowingquestionstosurvivorsandto communicatetheanswerstoaCRS.Theyshouldalsogivethepositionofthe rescuingshipandthetimewhenthesurvivorswererecovered. .1 Whatwasthetimeanddateofthecasualty? .2 Didyoubaleoutorwastheaircraftditched? .3 Ifyoubaledout,atwhataltitude? .4 Howmanyothersdidyouseeleavetheaircraftby parachute? .5 Howmanyditchedwiththeaircraft? .6 Howmanydidyouseeleavetheaircraftafterditching? .7 Howmanysurvivorsdidyouseeinthewater? .8 Whatflotationgearhadthey? .9 Whatwasthetotalnumberofpersonsaboardtheaircraft priortotheaccident? .10 Whatcausedtheemergency?

AnnexIStandardformatforsearchandrescuesituation reports(SITREPS)
Situationreports(SITREPS)shouldbecompiledasfollows: Shortformtopassurgentessentialdetailswhenrequestingassistance, ortoprovidetheearliestnoticeofacasualty. TRANSMISSIONPRIORITY(Distress/urgencyetc.) FROM (OriginatingRCC) TO SARSITREP(NUMBER)(Serialnumber) A IDENTITYOFCASUALTY (Name,callsign,flagstate) B POSITION(Latitude/longitude) C SITUATION(Typeofmessagee.g. distress/urgency, date/time,natureof distress/urgencye.g.fire,collision,medico) D NUMBEROFPERSONSATRISK E ASSISTANCEREQUIRED F COORDINATINGRCC FullformtopassamplifyingorupdatinginformationduringSAR operationsthefollowingadditionalsectionsshouldbe usedasrequired: G DESCRIPTIONOF(Physicaldescription,owner/ CASUALTYcharterer,cargocarried,passage from/to,lifesavingappliances carried,etc.) H WEATHERONSCENE(Wind,sea/swellstate,air/sea temperature,visibility,cloud cover/ceiling,barometricpressure) J INITIALACTIONSTAKEN(BycasualtyandRCC) K SEARCHAREA(AsplannedbyRCC) L COORDINATING(OSC/CSSdesignated,units INSTRUCTIONSparticipating,communicationsetc.) M FUTUREPLANS N ADDITIONALINFORMA (IncludetimeSARoperation TION/CONCLUSIONterminated) Notes. 1EachSITREPconcerningthesamecasualtyshouldbenumbered sequentially. 2.Ifhelpisrequiredfromtheaddressee,thefirstSITREPshouldbeissuedin shortformifremaininginformationisnotreadilyavailable. 3Whentimepermits,thefullformmaybeusedforthefirstSITREPorto amplifyit. 4 FurtherSITREPsshouldbeissuedassoonasotherrelevant informationhasbeenobtained.Informationalreadypassedshouldnot needrepetition.

8.3.4 Ditchinganaircraftisdifficultanddangerous.Ashipwhich knowsthatanaircraftintendstoditchshouldbepreparedtogivethepilot thefollowinginformation: .1 winddirectionandforce .2 direction,heightandlengthofprimaryandsecondaryswell systems .3 otherpertinentweatherinformation. 8.3.5 Thepilotofanaircraftwillchoosehisownditchingheading.If thisisknownbytheship,itshouldsetcourseparalleltotheditching heading.Otherwise,theshipshouldsetcourseparalleltothemainswell systemandintothewindcomponent,ifany,asshowninfigure81.

8.4

Rescueaction

8.4.1 Alandplanemaybreakupimmediatelyonstrikingthewaterand liferaftsmaybedamaged.Theshipshould,therefore,havealifeboatready forlaunching,andifpossible,boardingnetsshouldbeloweredfromthe shipandheavinglinesmadereadyintheshipandlifeboat.Survivorson theaircraftmayhavebrightcolouredlifejacketsandlocationaids. 8.4.2Themethodofrecoveringsurvivorsmustbelefttothejudgementof themasteroftheshipcarryingouttherescueoperation(seeparagraph6.1). 8.4.3 Itshouldbeborneinmindthatmilitaryaircraftareoftenfitted withejectionseatmechanisms.Normally,theiraircrewwillusetheirejection seats,ratherthanditch.Shouldsuchanaircraftditch,ratherthantheaircrew baleout,anditbecomesnecessarytoremovethemfromtheirejectionseats whilestillintheaircraft,careshouldbetakentoavoidtriggeringofftheseat

Duringprolongedoperations"nochange"SITREPS,when appropriate,shouldbeissuedatintervalsofaboutthreehoursto reassuretherecipientsthatnothinghasbeenmissed. Whentheincidenthasbeenconcluded,afinalSITREPshouldbe issuedasconfirmation.

1.1SINGLETURNwilltaketheshipbacktothesceneofthe casualtymostquickly. .1.2WILLIAMSONTURNrequiresmoretimeandwilltemporarily taketheshipfartherawayfromthesceneofthecasualty. .1.3 SCHARNOWTURNisnotappropriate.

Annex2Manoverboardmanoeuvres
1.Practicehasshownthatdifferentmanoverboardmanoeuvresmaybe required,dependinguponthesituationprevailingandthetypeofship involved. 2 Theeffectivenessofthemanoeuvresdescribedbelowhasbeen provedinmanymanoverboardcasualties,includingthefollowing situations: .1 "Immediateaction"situation Casualtyisnoticedonthebridgeandactionisinitiated immediately .2 "Delayedaction"situation Casualtyisreportedtothebridgebyaneyewitnessandaction isinitiatedwithsomedelay .3 "Personmissing"situationPersonisreportedtothebridgeas "missing" 3 When ashipmakesfullspeedahead,thefollowingthreestandard manoeuvresareused: 0 .1Singleturn(270 manoeuvre) .1.1 Rudderhardover(inan"immediateaction"situation,only tothesideofthecasualty). 0 .1.2 Afterdeviationfromtheoriginalcourseby 250 ,rudderto midshippositionandstoppingmanoeuvretobeinitiated.

.2"Delayedaction"situation
.2.1 WILLIAMSONTURNwilltaketheshiptothesceneofthe casualtymostsurely.(Whentheshiphasreachedthemanoeuvre commencementpoint,searchspeedmustbereducedsoasto enablefaststopping.) SCHARNOWTURNcannotbecarriedouteffectivelyunlessthe timeelapsedbetweentheoccurrenceofthecasualtyandthe commencementofthemanoeuvreisknown.

.2.2

.3"Personmissing"situation
BothWILLIAMSONTURNandSCHARNOWTURNwilltake theshipbackintoherwake.Lessdistanceiscovered,andthustimeis saved,whencarryingoutSCHARNOWTURN.Whentheshipison oppositecourseaftercarryingoutSCHARNOWTURN,themanoeuvre commencementpointwillbesomeship'slengthsbehindherstern. Dependingonthetypeofshipinvolved,betweenoneandtwonautical milesmaybesaved.(Seealsothefigureopposite.)

5 Sincestandardmanoverboardmanoeuvresarenotguaranteedto returnashipintoitswake,theseturnsshouldberegularlypractisedto accountfortheparticularshipcharacteristicsandtheeffectsofenvironmental conditionsontheshipandthepersoninthewater. Annex3RegulationV/10oftheInternationalConventionfortheSafetyof LifeatSea,1974 Distressmessages obligationsandprocedures

.2 Williamsonturn .2.1 Rudderhardover(inan"immediateaction"situation,onlytothe sideofthecasualty). 0 .2.2 Afterdeviationfromtheoriginalcourseby60 rudder hardoverto theoppositeside. 0 .2.3 Whenheading20 shortofoppositecourse,ruddertomidship positionandshiptobeturnedtooppositecourse.

(a)Themasterofashipatsea,onreceivingasignalfromanysource hatashiporaircraftorsurvivalcraftthereofisindistress,isboundtoroceed withallspeedtotheassistanceofthepersonsindistressinformingemif possiblethatheisdoingso.Ifheisunableor,inthespecialircumstancesof thecase,considersitunreasonableorunnecessarytoroceedtotheir assistance,hemustenterinthelogbookthereasonforilingtoproceedtothe assistanceofthepersonsindistress. (b)Themasterofashipindistress,afterconsultation,sofarasmaye possible,withthemastersoftheshipswhichanswerhiscallforssistance,has therighttorequisitionsuchoneormoreofthoseshipssheconsidersbestable torenderassistance,anditshallbethedutyofemasterormastersoftheship orshipsrequisitionedtocomplywitherequisitionbycontinuingtoproceed withallspeedtotheassistancefpersonsindistress.

.3Scharnowturn(nottobeusedinan"immediateaction"situation.) .3.1 Rudderhardover. 0 .3.2 Afterdeviationfromtheoriginalcourseby240 ,rudderhardover totheoppositeside. 0 .3.3 Whenheading20 shortofoppositecourse,ruddertomidship positionsothatshipwillturntooppositecourse.

(c)Themasterofashipshallbereleasedfromtheobligation imposedyparagraph(a)ofthisregulationwhenhelearnsthatoneormore shipstherthanhisownhavebeenrequisitionedandarecomplyingwiththe quisition. (d)Themasterofashipshallbereleasedfromtheobligationimposed yparagraph(a)ofthisregulation,andifhisshiphasbeenrequisitioned,om theobligationimposedbyparagraph(b)ofthisregulation,ifheisformedby thepersonsindistressorbythemasterofanothershipwhichsreachedsuch personsthatassistanceisnolongernecessary. (e)TheprovisionsofthisregulationdonotprejudicetheInternational onventionfortheUnificationofCertainRulesrelating toAssistanceand IvageatSea,signedatBrusselson23September1910,particularlythe ligationtorenderassistanceimposedbyarticle11ofthatConvention.

4 Assessmentofthemanoeuvresdescribedunder(3)inrelationto thetypesofsituationdescribedunder(2):

1."Immediateaction"situation