Ian Waugh - A Mariner\'s Guide to Marine Communications

Appendix VII

VII Action in the first RCC to receive a Distress Alert

Any RCC receiving a Distress Alert, or a Distress Call & Message, will
attempt to communicate direct with the casualty - and will also consider
the position of the casualty to identify which, if any, RCC is responsible
for Search and Rescue operations in the area.

If an RCC other than the one receiving the alert/message has
responsibility, the details will be passed to that RCC. If there is no RCC
with responsibility/facilities for handling the rescue operation, the first
RCC will continue to handle the operation - or may pass responsibility
to an RCC that is better placed to handle the operation and/or to the
country in which the casualty is registered.
Alert
received in
RCC

~~

Is incident in Communicate

own Search and 1---------

Rescue RCfon with casualty

(SRR). if possible

NO I YES

Is incidenl in Broadcasl infonnauon

another SRR? tu ships in the vicinity

NO YES 1

Coordinale casualty

IYE~

Is another RCC Does olher RCC communications and

beller placed accept SAR operalion

10 deal? responsiElililY? ------------------

INO iNO

YES

---.. I

I

- --..

If another RCC does accept responsibility, control of the SAR operation
and casualty communications will be transferred to that RCC in an
orderly manner. If no other RCC accepts responsibility, for whatever
reason, the original RCC will continue to coordinate the SAR operation/
casualty communications.
Depending on the location of the casualty and the nature of the

incident, a vessel or SAR aircraft may be appointed 'On-Scene

Co-ordinator' (OSC). More information about conducting SAR

operations as OSC can be found in the IAMSAR Manual.

MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 233