The international Cospas-Sarsat programme provides distress and location data to help Search and Rescue (SAR) authorities assist people in distress in the shortest time possible, which directly impacts on the survival rate of the person in distress at sea or on land.
To discuss and achieve this objective, Cospas-Sarsat participants (of which South Africa is one) recently held a meeting in Canada.
Under discussion were the operational issues of implementation, maintenance and co-ordination of a satellite system capable of detecting distress alert transmissions from radio beacons globally that comply with Cospas-Sarsat specifications. In order to ensure compatibility internationally, Cospas-Sarsat co-operates with the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, the International Telecommunication Union and other international organizations.
Workshop in Argentina regarding “Improved Search and Rescue in the Antarctic”
A workshop that focused on “Improved Search and Rescue in the Antarctic” was held in November in Buenos Aires, Argentina and was attended by the 5 nations who are responsible for SAR in the Antarctic region – namely Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa. The Council of Manager of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) also attended the meeting.
The increase in maritime and air traffic over Antarctica is a major concern – In particular the large passenger vessels, whose rescue would require considerable assets and resources to the Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC) and the various vessels and research programmes that they support.
The overall objective of the meeting was:
- To continue improving Search and Rescue coordination and response in the Antarctic.
- Taking the “Search” out of Search and Rescue
- Dealing with a mass rescue operation as could be required for a large passenger vessel.
- Review current aeronautical traffic and weather forecasting services as aircraft are often key components of response to land-based distress situations.
- Understanding the challenges of land SAR and to discuss options to improve land SAR co-ordination and response capabilities
Recommendations included considering the adoption of a Resolution that incorporates the following relevant Recommendations:
- Maintaining up to date information on all stations, ground facilities, ships and aircraft.
- Providing advance information on ship and aircraft schedules
- All Antarctic ships make their positions available to the MRCC of the region in which they are navigating.
- The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties encourage ships to liaise with vessels they encounter in the area to promote the use of position reporting systems.
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