SAR

Question 1

What is IAMSAR VOL III?

Answer 1

• IAMSAR = International Aeronautical Maritime Search and Rescue
• VOL III is for mobile facilities e.g. ships/aircraft

Provides information to assist in performing a search and rescue

• Type of search patterns e.g. expanding square, vectors (by one ship) or parallel (by two ships)
• Drift patterns of different objects
• Distances of search patterns depending on what you’re looking for
• Care of survivors
• On-scene comms
• Initial action by assisting craft

Provides information on the role of the on-scene co-ordinator

• How to co-ordinate a search and rescue op
• Communications
• Planning and conducting a search
• It is mandatory to be carried on ships (in paper form)

Question 1

Factors to consider when determining a SAR pattern

Answer 1

• Accuracy of datum
• Number of vessels in the area
• Aircraft available
• Visibility
• Size of area to searched
• Time of day
• Cloud ceiling
• Type of distressed craft

Question 2

Factors to determine On Scene Coordinator

Answer 2

• Proximity of vessel to distress
• Manoeuvrability of vessel
• Communication Capabilities
• Personnel Capabilities
• Expertise of vessel (experience and competence in distress situations)
• Level of spoken English
• Type of vessel
• Durability of vessel

Question 3

Factors affecting Observer in SAR

Answer 3

• Fatigue of observer
• visibility
• size of object they are looking for
• wave height
• land features in background
• Day time or night time

Question 4

SAC Codes

Answer 4

32 - medical advise
38 - medical evac
39 - maritime assistance

Question 5

Outline a Sector Search

Answer 5

• Search to be carried out by one vessel and an aircraft can assist
• To be used when datum position is of high accuracy
• Search pattern returns to datum position multiple times

Question 6

Outline a Parallel Track search

Answer 6

• Used by multiple vessels
• Can be used by aircraft
• Used when datum is not known or inaccurate
• Used when large area needs to be searched

Question 6

Outline a Expanding Square

Answer 6

• Used when datum is known
• Used by own vessel
• Cannot be used by multiple vessels

Question 7

Outline publications to be consulted for helicopter operations

Answer 7

• IAMSAR VOL III
• Guide to Helicopter ship operations
• SMS

Question 8

Outline factors be considered before helicopter operation

Answer 8

Bridge
- Course and speed relayed to helicopter
- Wind sock for helicopter
- Bridge team briefed of operation
- Securitae to surrounding ships
- VTS informed if necessary
- Lights and shapes changed when required at time of operation
- Helicopter informed of landing /winching area
- Get out Heli ops checklsit

On Deck
- Prepare fireteams
- Have foam standing by
- Casualty prepared and ready for evac
- Start fire pumps
- Deck cleared of all loose items
- Rescue boat standing by
- Lights, flags aerials lowered as required