SAR Policy

Question 0

What is a rescue?

Answer 0

An operation with the primary purpose of retrieving persons in distress and delivering them to a place of safety. This may include providing for certain medical care or other critical needs. Rescue operations may also be performed for the purpose of preventing or mitigating property loss or damage.

Question 1

What is a search?

Answer 1

An operation normally coordinated by rescue coordination center, rescue sub center, or a sector command center, available and appropriate personnel, facilities and resources to locate persons or property in distress

Question 2

What is statutory authority for the SAR program?

Answer 2

14 U.S.C. 2, 88, and 141

Question 3

Text of statutory authority.

Answer 3

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 waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

Question 4

What are the statutory requirements for SAR?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What are 2 SAR program goals?

Answer 5

1) Prevent loss of life

2) Protect property and the environment

Question 6

Definition of CG Resources

Answer 6

Includes active duty personnel; reserve personnel when serving under any form of active or inactive duty orders; auxiliary personnel when serving under orders; cutters; boats; aircraft; and equipment of active duty, reserve, and auxiliary Coast Guard units.

Question 7

Uncertainty Phase

Answer 7

An UNCERTAINTY phase exists when there is knowledge of a situation that may need to be monitored, or to have more information gathered, but that does not require moving resources.

Question 8

Alert Phase

Answer 8

An ALERT phase exists when a craft or person is experiencing some difficulty and may need assistance, but is not in immediate danger or in need of immediate response. Apprehension is usually associated with the ALERT phase.

Question 9

Distress Phase

Answer 9

The DISTRESS phase exists when grave or imminent danger requiring immediate response to the distress scene threatens a craft or person.

Question 10

Definition of a Safe Haven

Answer 10

A Safe Haven is considered a place that can accommodate and will accept the safe mooring of the vessel, and has available a means of communication, normally a telephone.

Question 11

3 principles that guide assistance to vessels not in distress

Answer 11

1) The first responder on scene with the vessel requesting assistance normally will provide assistance,
2) If a Coast Guard resource or Auxiliary facility takes a disabled vessel in tow, the tow will normally terminate at the nearest safe haven, and
3) Once undertaken, there is no requirement to break the tow except as described below in paragraph 4.1.6.6, “Relief of Tow”.

Question 12

Distress response policy

Answer 12

Immediate response shall be initiated, if feasible, to any known situation in which the mariner is in imminent danger. The SMC may use all sources of assistance in a distress situation without concern for conflict with private enterprise.

Question 13

What forces act on a towed vessel?

Answer 13

1) Static forces

2) Dynamic forces

Question 14

What are the 2 properties of static forces acting on a towed vessel?

Answer 14

Inertia

Moment of inertia

Question 15

Describe static forces

Answer 15

Forces that cause a vessel to resist motion.

Question 16

What is inertia?

Answer 16

The tendency for a vessel at rest to stay at rest. Dependent upon the mass (displacement) of the vessel.

Question 17

What is the moment of inertia?

Answer 17

It occurs when a vessel resists effort to turn about a vertical axis (I.e. Change heading)

Question 18

Why do you need to know static forces acting on towed vessels? What do you do about them?

Answer 18

Don’t try to move a vessel and change its heading simultaneously. It’s hard on the fittings and can be dangerous.

Question 19

What are the 7 dynamic forces acting on a towed vessel?

Answer 19

1) Momentum
2) Angular momentum
3) Frictional resistance
4) Form drag
5) Wave-making resistance
6) Wave drag, spray drag and wind drag
7) Buoyancy response and gravity effects

Question 20

Primary concern in SAR situation?

Answer 20

To provide timely and effective assistance.

Question 21

Responsibility for action in SAR situation?

Answer 21

The SMC is usually in the best position to assess the circumstances of a particular case, and to take whatever steps are necessary to promote the safety of life and property.

Question 22

When is there no concern for conflict with commercial providers?

Answer 22

Private organizations (non-commercial), state and local organizations, and Good Samaritans are acceptable sources of SAR assistance.

Question 23

Guiding principles in non-distress cases

Answer 23

When specifically requested assistance, such as a commercial firm, marina, or friend, is not available, a request for assistance will be broadcasted. If a commercial provider is available and can be on scene within a reasonable time (usually one hour or less) or an offer to assist is made by a responder listed in the previous paragraph, no further action by the Coast Guard, beyond monitoring the incident, will be taken. Otherwise, a Coast Guard Auxiliary facility, if available, or a Coast Guard resource may be used.

Question 24

Non-distress use of Coast Guard resources

Answer 24

Coast Guard resources will not unnecessarily interfere with private enterprise. Coast Guard resources normally do not provide immediate assistance in non-distress cases if alternative assistance is available. A Coast Guard resource may assist in a non-distress situation when no higher priority missions exist and no other capable resource is reasonably available.

Question 25

Coast Guard intervention when another resource is handling a SAR case.

Answer 25

If a Coast Guard resource finds another responder on scene whose assistance is not adequate, the Coast Guard resource should immediately attempt to stabilize the emergency. Once the situation is stabilized, the Coast Guard resource may be withdrawn if the first responder appears capable and is willing to conclude the case. The Coast Guard resource should not normally be withdrawn if continued stability of the situation is dependent on Coast Guard equipment or expertise.

Question 26

CG responsibility if boater declines a MARB and declines help from a third party.

Answer 26

If MARBs are declined in a non-distress situation, the Coast Guard has no further obligation to monitor or respond unless boaters change their mind or the situation deteriorates. The burden lies solely with boaters.

Question 27

What is the guideline recommended wait time after a MARB is issued before the SMC directs a resource?

Answer 27

A guideline of 10 minutes is recommended for the SMC to await an answer to a MARB before the SMC directs Coast Guard or Auxiliary resources to respond.

Question 28

Per policy, how long may SMC wait after a MARB before taking action?

Answer 28

Following the initial MARB, the SMC may wait a reasonable period of time before taking further action, during which additional MARBs may be made if desired by the SMC.

Question 29

When can the CG forcibly evacuate someone from their vessel?

Answer 29

Forcible and/or compelled evacuations should only be conducted when a life-threatening emergency exists, and there is an immediate need for assistance or aid.

Question 30

Who decides whether to compel an evacuation?

Answer 30

The decision to force or compel mariners to abandon their vessels should normally be made by the cognizant SAR Coordinator (SC). If time does not permit consultation with the SMC and cognizant SC, and if in the On Scene Coordinator’s (OSC) objective judgment a life-threatening emergency exists affecting the subject vessel, and there is an immediate need for assistance or aid, the OSC may authorize this action.

Question 32

What does SAROPS stand for?

Answer 32

Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System

Question 33

What is track spacing?

Answer 33

Track spacing (S) is the distance between two adjacent parallel search legs

Question 34

PIW track spacing?

Answer 34

0.1 NM

Question 35

Definition of trackline search

Answer 35

A route search is usually the first search action since it is assumed that the target is near track, and that either it will be easily seen or the survivors will signal. The trackline pattern is a rapid and reasonably thorough coverage of the missing craft’s proposed track and area immediately adjacent, such as along a datum line.

Question 36

When do you use trackline searches?

Answer 36

Trackline Patterns (T) are used when the intended route of the search object is known.

Question 37

Definition of trackline single-unit search non-return?

Answer 37

Trackline Single-Unit Non-Return (TSN) search is made along the track or datum line.

Question 38

Definition of trackline single-unit return?

Answer 38

Trackline Single-Unit Return (TSR) has the CSP offset ½-search track spacing from the trackline or datum. The SRU runs up one side and down the other, ending one-track space from where it began.

Question 39

Definition of trackline multi-unit return?

Answer 39

Two or more SRUs are used in an abeam formation to afford greater width coverage along track.

Question 40

Definition of trackline multi-unit non-return?

Answer 40

This pattern is the same as TMR except search terminates at the opposite end of track from where it began.

Question 41

When are parallel paterns useful?

Answer 41

Parallel Patterns (P) are best adapted to rectangular or square areas and have straight search legs that are usually aligned parallel to the major axis. Parallel patterns are normally used for large, fairly level search areas, where only approximate initial position is known, and when uniform cover-age is desired.

Question 42

Definition of Parallel Track Single-Unit (PS)?

Answer 42

Parallel Track Single-Unit (PS) is used by single SRUs for searching rectangular areas and is mostly used by fixed-wing aircraft. Search legs are oriented along the major axis, providing longer legs and fewer turns.

Question 43

Definition of creeping line patterns?

Answer 43

Creeping Line Patterns (C) are a specialized type of parallel pattern where the direction of creep is along the major axis, unlike the usual parallel (P) pattern. They are used to cover one end of an area first, or to change direction of the search legs where sun glare or swell direction makes this necessary.

Question 44

Definition of square patterns.

Answer 44

Square Patterns (S) are used to search a small area when some doubt exists about the distress position. They provide more uniform coverage than a sector search and may be expanded.

Question 45

When do you use Square Single Unit – Sierra Sierra (SS)?

Answer 45

Use this pattern when confident the datum is within close limits.

Question 46

Courses of a Square Single Unit (SS) pattern?

Answer 46

The first leg is normally in the direction of the search object’s drift. All course changes are 90 degrees to the right.

Question 47

When do you use vector search patterns (V)?

Answer 47

Sector Patterns (V) These patterns may be used when datum is established within close limits, a very high coverage is desired in the immediate vicinity of datum, and the area to be searched is not extensive.

Question 48

Definition of Sector Search Pattern: Single Unit – Victor Sierra (VS)

Answer 48

When practical, the first leg of the search is normally in the direction of search object drift. All turns in this pattern are 120° to the right. All legs of the search pattern are equal to the chosen radius. Upon completion of the pattern, a second pattern is started with the heading of the new first leg 30° to the right of the final course of the first pattern.