OIC - SAR Flashcards
What is the purpose of the Coast Guard’s SAR program?
The mission and purpose of the Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Program is to prevent death or injury to persons and loss or damage to property in the marine environment.
What are the statutory authorities for SAR?
Title 14, Sections 2, 88, and 141 of the U.S. Code.
What does Title 14, Sections 2, 88, and 141 of the U.S. Code state?
The code states that the Coast Guard shall develop, establish, maintain and operate SAR facilities and may render aid to distressed persons and protect and save property on and under the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. It also states that the Coast Guard may use its resources to assist other Federal and State entities. Thus, Coast Guard performance of SAR is essentially permissive in nature.
What are the four SAR program objectives?
Minimize loss of life, injury, and property loss and damage in the maritime environment;
Minimize crew risk during SAR missions;
Optimize use of resources in conducting SAR; and
Maintain a world leadership position in maritime SAR.
How fast do units with a SAR readiness responsibility have to respond?
To meet the SAR response standard for most Coast Guard unit AORs, Coast Guard units with a SAR readiness responsibility shall maintain a B-0 (have a suitable SAR resource ready to proceed within 30 minutes of notification of a distress) readiness.
What is an SRU?
Search and Rescue Unit
What is an SMC?
SAR Mission Coordinator
Is an SMC required for every SAR case?
An SMC shall be designated for every SAR case to successfully manage each mission and to skillfully coordinate resources.
Can you be the SMC for a case as the OIC?
SMC responsibilities shall not be delegated below the Sector level.
Can you release names during an opened SAR case?
The release of names of individuals being sought or having been rescued by the Coast Guard may be released by the responsible PAO or SMC while a SAR case is open and active.
Can you release names for a closed or suspended SAR case?
Once a SAR case is closed or suspended in MISLE, any request for names of individuals rescued by the Coast Guard must be submitted by the requestor IAW The Coast Guard Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts Manual.
Who preforms Next of Kin (NOK) notifications?
The person exercising ACTSUS authority shall personally ensure that notifications are made and interaction established with the NOK at the earliest possible time.
If the person exercising ACTSUS authority is not able to preform a NOK notification, who can do it for them?
In the event that is not possible, this responsibility may be delegated to a mature member of the Command who may be physically proximate to the NOK (e.g., Station CO/OINC) and who is thoroughly familiar with the case.
How early should NOK’s be notified if a case if going to be suspended?
NOK should be notified of the decision to suspend active searching if no significant developments occur at least one day prior to actual suspension. This prepares the family for the actual ceasing of operations while giving them at least one more day of hope.
What vessels are required to provide assistance at sea?
Article 98 of the Law of the Sea Convention, “Every State shall require the master of a ship flying its flag… to render assistance to any person found at sea in danger of being lost.”
Can you enter foreign TTS to provide SAR assistance?
Article 98, the Law of the Sea Convention makes the act of stopping to render assistance to mariners in distress while transiting a foreign territorial sea fully consistent with the principles of innocent passage, thus disassociating entry or rendering assistance while in innocent passage from the notion that these acts violate a coastal State’s sovereignty.
As the OIC of a cutter, can you enter foreign TTS for a SAR case?
Coast Guard rescue assets are authorized to enter a coastal State’s territorial sea to rescue persons in distress; such assistance is to be provided without regard to the nationality or status of such persons or the circumstances in which they are found.
What allows you to enter foreign TTS for SAR?
Assistance Entry
What things will you consider before entering foreign TTS for a SAR case?
The safety of assisting personnel;
The safety of the persons in danger or distress;
U. S. foreign relations with the coastal State; and
Any applicable international SAR agreement.
Can you preform Assistance Entry into foreign TTS to preform search pattern?
To perform a search (AE rescue operations in a coastal State’s territorial sea extends only to rescue operations not searches. Coastal State permission must be obtained prior to entering into, flying over or landing in territory or territorial sea of a coastal State for search operations unless other prior arrangements have been made.
Who needs to be notified if you are preforming Assistance Entry into foreign TTS?
For all AE rescue operations conducted by Coast Guard rescue units, the Coast Guard National Command Center shall be promptly notified.
What is DSC?
Digital Selective Calling
What is an MMSI number?
Maritime Mobile Service Identity
What is a UMIB?
Urgent Marine Information Broadcasts (UMIBs) are a tool used by Coast Guard SAR Mission Coordinators to alert the maritime public to a distress or potential distress situation.
What things shall a UMIB be released for?
All uncorrelated MAYDAY channel 16 calls;
Uncorrelated VHF-FM DSC distress calls;
Flare sightings;
Overdue vessel reports; and
Other situations as deemed necessary by the SMC.
What is the difference between a UMIB and a Call Out?
Callouts differ from UMIBs in that they are a radio broadcast directed toward a specific vessel, rather than directed at a broad audience, as is the UMIB. Callouts also do not imply or require a state of “urgency” whereas the UMIB by definition conveys urgency.
What is a MAYDAY Relay?
Mayday Relays are intended to alert the maritime public of an incident involving imminent danger to life.
When can you request through a phone company to ping a phone through a Cellular Tower Locator?
SAR watchstanders must determine that the case is in the distress phase, and shall articulate that they believe the subject is in imminent danger. If a SAR watchstander determines that a case is in the alert or uncertainty phase, the watchstander shall complete pre-comms and ex-comms to investigate or obtain information on a vessel’s location.
What are the three phases of SAR?
Uncertainty Phase;
Alert Phase; and
Distress Phase.
What pattern is a SS?
Square Single Unit
What is a Square Single Unit (SS) pattern used for?
This pattern is used when there is a high degree of confidence the search object is close to the estimated datum position.
What is the direction of the first leg on a Square Single Unit (SS)?
The first leg is normally in the direction of the search object’s drift.
How are course changes made on a Square Single Unit (SS)?
All course changes are 90 degrees to the right.
What is a Sector Search Pattern used for?
These patterns are best used when the datum is established within close limits, a very high coverage immediately around the datum is desired, and the area to be searched is not extensive.
What pattern is a VS?
Sector Search Pattern: Single Unit
What is the direction of the first leg on a Sector Search Pattern: Single Unit (VS)?
When practical, the first leg of the search is normally in the direction of search object drift.
How are course changes made on a Sector Search Pattern: Single Unit (VS)?
All turns in this pattern are 120 degrees to the right.
What course do you steer when commencing your second Sector Search Pattern: Single Unit (VS)?
Upon completion of the pattern, a second pattern is started with the heading of the new first leg 30 degrees to the right of the final course of the first pattern.
What pattern is a VM?
Sector Search Pattern: Two-Units
What is the direction of the first leg on a Sector Search Pattern: Two Unit (VS)?
As the first SRU begins a Victor Sierra search, the second begins its pattern at datum in a direction of 90 degrees to the left of the first leg of the first SRU.
Is the Coast Guard required to search for bodies?
When it has become definitely established, either by time or circumstances, that persons are dead, the Coast Guard is not required to conduct searches for bodies. If, however, requests are received from responsible agencies, such as local police, military commands, etc., Coast Guard units may participate in body searches provided that these searches do not interfere with the primary duties of the units.
