SAR Policy Flashcards
What are the 4 primary geographic divisions of responsibility for US SAR?
Air Force= US aeronautical SAR in continental USA excluding Alaska
Pacific Command= US aeronautical SAR in Alaska
CG= Atlantic
CG= Pacific
What are the 3 manuals the CG can use for SAR related information?
- International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR)
- United States National Search and Rescue Supplement (NSS)
- USCG SAR addendum
What are the 2 geographic areas of CG responsibility for SAR?
Atlantic area and pacific area
What are the 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
- Maintain a world leadership position in maritime SAR
2 SAR program goals
- To prevent loss of life in every situation where our actions and performance could possibly be brought to bear
- Prevent loss and damage to property in the maritime environment
Statutory Authority and Responsibility for SAR
Title 14, sections 2, 88, and 141 of the US code states
“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 US.”
“Once the Coast Guard undertakes a mission, we must conduct that mission with due diligence, we must not worsen the situation by our actions, and we must meet a reasonable standard of performance.”
When is the coast guard held liable for a worsening SAR situation?
- When the CG acted in a wanton and negligent manner
2. When the CG engaged in negligent conduct that worsened the position of the victim
What are the SAR agreements?
The SAR agreements are a set of official documents that grant authorization to CG assets to enter a coastal state’s territorial sea or another sector in the AOR 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 distress beacon does the CG endorse?
406 MHz EPIRBs
When do you issue an UMIB?
UMIBs should be issued whenever the SMC determines that important maritime information needs to reach the widest possible audience. UMIBs shall be used upon the receipt of:
- All uncorrelated MAYDAY channel 16 calls
- Uncorrelated VHF-FM DSC distress calls
- Flare sightings
- Overdue vessel reports
- Other situations as deemed necessary by the SMC
What are the 5 stages of SAR?
- Awareness
- Initial action
- Planning
- Operations
- Conclusion
What are the 3 emergency phases of the Initial Action Stage?
- Uncertainty (knowledge of a situation that may need to be monitored but does not require moving resources)
- Alert (craft/person is experiencing some difficulty and may need assistance, but not in immediate danger, APPREHENSION)
- Distress (grave or imminent danger requiring immediate response)
Response policy for distress beacons?
Treat beacon alerts as a distress; should approximate response to a MAYDAY
COMDTINST M16130.2F
Response policy for flare incidents?
“Reported sightings of red/orange flares must be treated as distress situation unless sufficient other available information indicates no distress exists.”
Response to flare that is not orange or red?
Could still be a potential distress, so consider all elements (poor weather, unresolved MAYDAY, etc) in determining to have response as actual distress
Unresolved orange/red flare sightings require…
First light searches
What tool do you use when you get a flare sighting?
A flare reporting checklist
What is the definition of a false alarm?
A case where the subject reported to be in distress is confirmed not to be in distress and not to be in need of assistance
Did not deliberately act to deceive
What is the definition of a hoax?
A case where information is conveyed with the intent to deceive
14USC88 makes it a class D felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison/or a monetary fine
What is the policy for closing a hoax/false alert case?
Once the source of the hoax/false alert has been confirmed, SMC or SC should close the case. If the source remains unknown, case can only be suspended.
What is the CG Maritime SAR assistance policy?
An immediate response shall be initiated, if feasible, to any known situation in which a mariner is in imminent danger. However, CG resources will not unnecessarily interfere with private enterprises in a non distress situation. CG resources do not provide immediate assistance in non-distress cases if alternative assistance is available. A CG resource may assist in a non distress situation when no higher priority missions exist and no other capable resource is available.
Congress 1982
What is a safe heaven?
A place with a means of communication that can accommodate the safe mooring of a vessel
What is warranted risk?
Warranted risk is the calculation of risk vs gain in determining what risks warrant the damage or possible damage of a CG asset during an operation. The scenarios below are where that damage is warranted.
1) the probability of saving human life warrants max effort (when no suitable alternative exists and the mission has a reasonable chance of success)
2) the possibility of saving human life or the probability of preventing or relieving intense pain or suffering (pain or suffering warrants damaging the boat)
3) the probability of saving property of the USA or its citizens warrants the risk of damage to the boat
4) the possibility of recovering evidence and interdicting or apprehending alleged violators of federal law does not warrant probable damage to or abuse of the boat UNLESS in defense of self or others
What is MEDICO?
Passing of medical information over the radio; relating medical information and getting them to the right resources. Ask for contracted services.
What is MEDIVAC?
Determining if the persons needs to be evacuated off the vessel and taken to a place of higher emergency care; involves getting advice from medical professional
What is the CG general salvage policy other than towing?
“When commercial salvors are on scene performing salvage, CG units may assist them within the unit’s capabilities, if the salvor requests. When no commercial salvage facilities are on scene, CG units should only engage in salvage other than towing when limited salvage operation (ex: ungrounding, pumping, damage control measures) can prevent a worsening situation or complete loss of the vessel.”
Any salvage operations shall be performed at the discretion of the unit CO/OIC
CG units shall not be unduly hazarded
Forcible evacuation of vessels policy
The CG is authorized to rescue and air persons and protect and save property at any time and any place where it’s facilities and personnel are available and can be effectively used; this may include forcing or compelling mariners to abandon their vessels when a life threatening emergency exists, and there is need for assistance or aid
CG firefighting policy
Independent: “CG personnel shall not engage in independent firefighting operations except to save a life or in the early stages or a fire to avert a significant threat without undue risk”
Commercial vessels and waterfront facilities: “CG personnel shall not actively engage in firefighting except in support of a regular firefighting agency under the supervision of a qualified fire officer”
Persons trapped in capsized vessels policy
A CG swimmer shall not go under the water and enter a capsized or submerged object
Swimmers CAN
- keep in contact with person
- make attempts to direct them out but not dive under vessel
- estimate volume of air remaining
Rescuing pets policy
When feasible, CG units should conduct pet rescues when their owners are rescued
Coxn has final decision authority to rescue the animal or not
Persons falling or jumping from bridges policy
Whenever a CG facility receives a report of a person falling or jumping from a bridge into water and any doubt about the person’s safety exists, the report shall be treated as a distress call with a corresponding appropriate response. Appropriate local authorities shall be notified immediately.
Policy for stopping CPR
When patient is not obviously dead, CG EMS providers will start and continue CPR until: patient revives, EMS provider becomes physically exhausted and cannot continue, EMS provider is relieved by another qualified aid provider, death is determined by qualified medical officer, or aid provider directed to stop by qualified medical officer.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Coxswain
“The coxswain shall be responsible, in order of precedence, for the safety and conduct of passengers and crew, the safe operation and navigation of the boat assigned, and the completion of the sortie or mission assigned or undertaken pursuant to CG policy and regulations. A coxswain underway shall at all times respond, within the limits of capabilities and legal authority, to observed hazards to life or property, and violations of laws and regulations.”
Report any discrepancies to ATON
Source: CG regulations, M5000.3 CH5 5-1-8 B
Coxswain relief
The only persons embarked on a boat who may relieve the coxswain of the responsibilities described are: CO, XO, OIC, and XPO or the senior officer at the scene of distress
When can a coxswain leave the boat?
Coxn may leave the boat if: in the coxswain’s judgement, and after careful consideration of the remaining crew member’s experience, the operational benefits clearly outweigh the risk of leaving the boat w/o a qualified coxn.
When time permits, coxn receives concurrence from OPCON
