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MARINE SAR"SAR BQ" 2004: Responders prepare for
large-scale rescue effort Last summer, nautical responders received a call from Christian Émond. They responded by getting together at the Marina de Saurel in order to get on the same page and improve their teamwork in dealing with search and rescue cases.
Christian Émond, coxswain of an inshore rescue boat, exploited the idea of a friendly get-together around barbecues to help train a truly broad-based rescue team in his region. He had already met separately with a number of responders who cover the same territory-between Sorel and Contrecoeur-as his own crew. He was also aware that in the event of large-scale rescue operations, many of these people might be called upon to communicate and work with one another. It was thus important for him to unify responses so that the work could become more streamlined and more effective. With the help of his fellow team members from GC-1205, Carl Marois and Caroline Villeneuve, he organized a meeting on August 4, 2004 right at the responders' workplace, the Marina de Saurel. Approximately fifty guests were invited, most of whom were members of the following organizations:
To breathe new life into this large team, Christian Émond wanted to get people on track to use a consistent method of operation. A representative of each of the above-mentioned entities came and described the specific mandate, members and equipment of their organization. Hubert Desgagnés, regional manager of the Marine Rescue Centre, gave a short talk on the interoperability of responders and on the specific characteristics of marine rescue. Robert Jinchereau, a search and rescue supervisor, then provided some information about the inshore rescue student program. Jean Tellier, of Transport Canada, also spoke about the role of the Office of Boating Safety. Mr. Tellier was available throughout the meeting, to offer his expertise on the subjects of prevention and Canadian standards applicable to pleasure boating. To round out the meeting, a period was reserved for visiting rescue vehicles at the location (fast rescue craft, fire truck, ambulances) and for demonstrations of such equipment as the retrieval net, the fire pump, the vacuum mattress, etc. This enabled people to become more familiar with the vehicles and equipment, and above all to get to know the techniques of the various organizations. Finally, the guests had an opportunity to have informal discussions amongst themselves while inhaling the tempting smells of the barbecues. This was an excellent opportunity for them to ask questions, to develop good relationships and to take another step forward in examining the logic of collaboration. Thanks to the SAR BQ, communications will without a doubt be easier amongst the responders of various organizations. Lake Erie SAREX fosters partnership and interoperability The Canadian Coast Guard, Central and Arctic Region, along with the United States Coast Guard, Group Buffalo, designed this simulated search and rescue (SAR) exercise to test and further develop interagency co-operation between Canadian and American authorities in a realistic scenario. The Sept. 18, 2004 exercise had 17 groups and agencies taking part - through co-ordination, planning, on the water or in the air.
General communication between the players was good, but it was proposed they would be more effective if there was a designated common operating channel for the American and Canadian marine SAR control and co-ordination on the Great Lakes. SAR and disabled vessels Similar to the Boy Scout motto, mariners must always "Be Prepared." Whether it is watching for changes in weather, ensuring one's vessel is in good condition and properly-equipped or having the appropriate charts on board, mariners should always have these words in mind. In addition to following regulations for vessel construction, safety equipment, operator competency, rules of the road and other navigation regulations, mariners should, for example, always have a spare anchor with cable, reserve fuel, a well-tuned engine and drive chain plus all lines secured so they cannot foul the propeller. The Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) statistics on disabled vessels not in distress show these cases comprise a large proportion of marine SAR cases in total. Even though these cases are not life-threatening, there are safety concerns with leaving vessels unassisted at sea so the CCG has had a "towing policy" published since 1960 (originally adopted by the Canadian Marine Service) for the provision of assistance, including towing, on a limited basis and not in competition with commercial or private interests, in aid of disabled vessels. SAR responders and all mariners should be aware of the main points of these procedures: It is the mariner's responsibility to make their own arrangements for towing and salvage when they require such services. The CCG and Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) do not tow vessels on request and do not compete with towing and salvage companies. For disabled vessels in distress, the CCG and CCGA will provide towing assistance if it is deemed by the Commanding Officer of the CCG/CCGA vessel to be the best way of preventing loss of life and injury. In other situations, assistance will only be provided after efforts to arrange private or commercial assistance have failed. For safety reasons, the CCG will monitor the situation, by marine radio or other communications, to ensure the disabled vessel arrives at a place of refuge. The procedures have also clarified that when a CCG vessel is tasked to assist a disabled vessel in a non-distress situation, that this vessel will normally complete any other critical mission in which it is currently engaged, such as a fisheries law enforcement operation, before proceeding to the disabled vessel assistance. This means mariners may have to wait if there is no immediate danger. A Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) or Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) should be notified by the mariner if their vessel breaks down at sea. This is done by contacting the nearest CCG Marine Communication and Traffic Services Centre. The CCG will keep in contact with the mariner to determine if persons are in distress. The ultimate determination remains with the master or operator of the disabled vessel as to if the vessel is in a distress situation or an urgency situation where safety is a concern. In this situation, the JRCC/MRSC will immediately task a unit to assist. For vessels that require assistance in non-distress situations, a Maritime Assistance Request Broadcast asking for assistance for the vessel will normally be issued on VHF Channel 16. If there is no response to the broadcast, the JRCC/MRSC will task a vessel to respond. In summary, for safety reasons the CCG/CCGA will continue to provide limited assistance such as towing to disabled vessels to the nearest place of refuge in non-distress situations only after efforts to arrange private or commercial assistance have failed. Of special importance to SAR responders is a reminder to always report information you may receive on any SAR incident, regardless of degree of emergency, to your JRCC/MRSC and to wait for a tasking from the JRCC/MRSC before proceeding on non-life-threatening cases. Of course, in a distress or perceived distress situation it may be prudent to get underway first and advise JRCC/MRSC as soon as possible. Further information on these procedures can be found at http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/sar/docs/VesselProcedures_e.htm Mike Voigt is the Superintendent of Search and Rescue, CCG, in Nova Scotia. EMERGENCY INFORMATION
In the event of an emergency you are advised to use a cell phone to call 911 and report your situation to the police who will co-ordinate the response. You should also call on VHF Channel 16, if you have marine VHF radio fitted to your boat, to alert any nearby craft similarly equipped.
However… Be aware that as an inland waterway the Ottawa River is not covered by the distress monitoring service provided by Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services. This means that the Marine VHF distress channel, Ch16, is not regularly monitored and therefore shore authorities may not respond to a message sent on this channel. Certain Marinas on the Ottawa River monitor VHF Channel 16 for their operating hours during the summer boating season, and police boats which also listen to marine band radio may be operating in your area.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ontario Provincial Police
Quebec Police Service |
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The
SAR BQ concept, which was given a test run at Beaconsfield in 2003, was
born of the desire of various stakeholders in the boating community to
get together and to find out more about each other's activities. This
year, the event was more than just a fun meeting with a barbecue.
The
groups worked together to assist the ferry's crew and passengers, as well
as searching for the four missing people - mannequins that had been placed
in the water. All casualties were found, evacuated, treated for injuries
and then dispatched to the hospital.