IAMSAR Manual, Volume I - Organization and Management (2022 Edition) - (KK960E)

A new edition of the IAMSAR Manual is published every three years. The 2022 edition includes amendments, adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and approved by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its 103rd session in May 2021 by means of MSC.1/Circ.1640, which become applicable on 1 June 2022.

The primary purpose of the three volumes of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR Manual) is to assist States in meeting their own search and rescue (SAR) needs, and the obligations they accepted under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS). These volumes provide guidelines for a common aviation and maritime approach to organizing and providing SAR services. States are encouraged to develop and improve their SAR services, cooperate with neighbouring States and to consider their SAR services to be part of a global SAR system.

Each volume of the IAMSAR Manual is written with specific SAR system duties in mind, and can be used as a stand-alone document, or, in conjunction with the other two volumes, as a means to attain a full view of the SAR system. Depending on the duties assigned, it may be necessary to hold only one or two, or all three volumes.

The Organization and Management volume (volume I) discusses the global SAR system concept, establishment and improvement of national and regional SAR systems, and cooperation with neighbouring States to provide effective and economical SAR services;

The Mission Coordination volume (volume II) assists personnel who plan and coordinate SAR operations and exercises; and The Mobile Facilities volume (volume III) is intended to be carried aboard rescue units, aircraft and vessels to help with performance of a search, rescue, or on-scene coordinator function and with aspects of SAR that pertain to their own emergencies.

Contents

Foreword

Abbreviations and acronyms

Glossary

Chapter 1 General system concept

1.1 Establishing services

1.2 Benefits of services

1.3 Legal basis for services

1.4 Basic system functions

1.5 System management and support

1.6 The global concept

1.7 National and regional systems

1.8 Search and rescue (SAR) operations by maritime rescue services in time of armed conflict

Chapter 2 System components

2.1 SAR as a system

2.2 Communications

2.3 Rescue coordination centres

2.4 Rescue sub-centres

2.5 SAR facilities

2.6 On-scene coordinator (OSC) and aircraft coordinator (ACO)

2.7 Support facilities

Chapter 3 Training, qualification, certification and exercises

3.1 Building professionalism

3.2 Training specifics

3.3 Exercises

Chapter 4 Communications

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Basic functions and requirements

4.3 Important factors for SAR communications

4.4 Mobile equipment

4.5 Land-based infrastructure

4.6 Supplemental capabilities

4.7 MEDICO communications

4.8 Radio call signs for aircraft involved in a search and rescue operation

4.9 Social media

Chapter 5 System management

5.1 Understanding the SAR system

5.2 Planning processes

5.3 Organization

5.4 Resources

5.5 Leadership and operations.

5.6 System assessment

5.7 Dealing with the media

Chapter 6 Improving services

6.1 Managing for success

6.2 Reducing system problems

6.3 Applying risk management

6.4 Cooperating to improve services

6.5 Reducing response time

6.6 Mass rescue operations

6.7 Multiple aircraft SAR operations

6.8 Research and development

6.9 Other factors

Appendix A Sample legislation establishing a SAR organization

Appendix B Supply pictograms

Appendix C Sources for SAR assistance

Appendix D Information sources

Appendix E False alerts

Appendix F Alerting and locating capability preferences for new mobile satellite systems used for distress alerting

Appendix G Mobile communication services

Appendix H National self-assessment on search and rescue system

Appendix I SAR agreements

Appendix J Sample national SAR committee interagency agreement

Appendix K Model agreement for the division of responsibility between the SAR Authority and the Air Traffic Services provider in providing emergency response services for aircraft

Appendix L Applying risk management principles to assess SAR response and SAR system performance

Appendix M National responsibilities of Contracting States under international conventions

Appendix N Sample contract between RCC and TMAS for the provision of medical advice and assistance to masters of ships at sea

Appendix O Sample template for a joint search and rescue exercise

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.