* About PDF Documents

SAR NEWS

Campaign aims to increase the use of Personal Flotation Devices

Photo Credit: National Safe Boating Council

The Canadian Marine Manufacturers Association (CMMA) has implemented an industry-wide campaign to promote the use of Transport Canada approved Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). The campaign's goal is to engage the boating industry in promoting PFD wear to their clientele.

Wearing a Transport Canada approved PFD or life jacket has been shown to be the most important precaution to ensure personal safety on the water; yet, actual wear rates among adults remain low. To change boater perception and increase the use of PFDs, CMMA is calling on industry groups to model PFD wear in promotion campaigns, brochures, ads and boat show displays.

According to Randy Whaley from the Canadian Safe Boating Council, initiatives such as this are essential in overcoming the culture of resistance associated with wearing PFDs. "There is an attitude that is prevalent amongst boaters that the industry must break as a community. CMMA's campaign is a step in the right direction."

If boater attitudes change, so will their practices. "PFDs are the seatbelts of boating. People should automatically reach for their PFD when they get on their boat as they do with their seatbelt when they get into their car," says Mr. Whaley.

 Table of Contents

CASBAs highlight the best in boating safety

The crew from CCGA Vessel Baitfish. Left to right, Glenn Goodale, Phil Eagleson, Coxswain Stephen Lightfoot and MC Ted Rankine Photo Credit: Amanda Dyer, Lifestyle Integrated Inc.

Coxswain Stephen Lightfoot and the crew of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary's Vessel Baitfish were presented with the Rescue of the Year award at the 9th Annual Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs) held in Toronto.

The annual CASBAs, organized by the Canadian Safe Boating Council, celebrate achievements in boating safety. Awards are given out not only for rescues, but also for achievements in the volunteer sector, safety campaigns and media contributions.

Eleven awards were handed out this year, including Best Media Contribution to Boating Safety which was presented to CBC Radio for increasing the profile of the "Boating Under the Influence (BUI)" story. CBC's coverage contributed to the passing of Bill 209, making Ontario's waterways safer. With the passing of Bill 209, BUI convictions are now linked to Ontario driver's licenses. This makes Ontario the only province in Canada where boaters convicted of BUI can also have their motor vehicle driver's licence suspended.

 Table of Contents

Diploma program addresses expanding role of SAR

Search and rescue personnel are increasingly called upon to assist communities and governments in disaster response efforts that challenge their skills and leadership. The Emergency Management Diploma Program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology addresses the need for emergency management education that enhances search and rescue knowledge. The program offers the convenience and flexibility of distance learning by delivering all classes by Internet via WebCT.

Through a uniquely Canadian perspective, the program addresses such topics as: management and coordination of disaster response, development and conduct of emergency exercises, stress management for emergency workers, and resource and volunteer management. Find out more at www.nait.ca.

 Table of Contents

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary urges mandatory boating education

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is urging boaters of all ages, including sailors and paddle craft operators, to take a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

"Approximately 80 percent of fatalities" says the Auxiliary, "occur on boats whose operators have not received any form of boating safety education. Moreover, statistics indicate that the average age of someone involved in a boating fatality is around 38 years old and thus, those states who require mandatory classes for younger boaters have seen little or no impact on their boating fatality statistics." Most states have some mandatory education based on age, while others, including California, have none.

 Table of Contents

Report's findings focus on weather

A report has been published by the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) on the December 2005 crash of a Messershmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB) BO105 helicopter into the water of Mortier Bay, east of Marystown in Newfoundland. The helicopter was operated by Transport Canada on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). Among the findings, the Board's report concludes that the helicopter's survival equipment, which exceeded regulations, sank with the helicopter. The underwater locator beacon failed, and with no emergency signal to notify search and rescue, rescue efforts began one hour after the estimated time of arrival according to the flight plan.

According to the report, security cameras in the area "recorded uninterrupted snowfall from 1530 until 1630, with intermittent periods of heavy snow and reduced visibility." The crash occurred at 1648. The accident cost the lives of the pilot, who died from hypothermia and the lone passenger, a CCG technician, who drowned.

Following the accident, Transport Canada and the CCG established a working group to review safety equipment, training and procedures and to recommend improvements. Among the changes that have been implemented are the use of life jackets as standard procedure for passengers and crew, the purchase and mandatory use of helmets for front seat passengers and the purchase of 100 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacons to be fitted into the lifejackets. Further safety measures are being considered.

The TSB report was published this past February and is available at www.tsb.gc.ca.

 Table of Contents

Korea reduces EPIRBs false alerts

According to a report published by the International Maritime Organization, in 2005 the average rate of 406 MHz emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) false alerts triggered worldwide was 96%. Although Korea's average was lower than this, in 2005, it conducted sweeping inspections of EPIRBs on board their ships under the coordination of the Korea Coast Guard. This was carried out to minimize the unnecessary search and rescue operations caused by false alerts.

After the inspections, false alerts were reduced by 40% on passenger ships, 25% on ferries and excursion ships, and 24% on fishing ships. Better education regarding the use and handling of EPIRBs was noted as one of the factors needed to reduce false alerts.

 Table of Contents

AdventureSmart comes to the rescue

Flynn Saunderson and Garth Cameron Photo Credit: Garth Cameron

AdventureSmart is credited by 11-year old Flynn Saunderson with teaching him how to stay safe while skiing.

On January 9th as Flynn skied with his mother at Mount Washington, BC, the wind picked up and conditions worsened. Due to the limited visibility, Flynn made a wrong turn and ended up in unfamiliar territory. "When I realized I was lost, I stopped and used the whistle I'd been given at my AdventureSmart class," said Flynn. "I blew the whistle three times just like Garth and Randy had taught me and I did this every five minutes until someone came to help me."

Search and Rescue volunteers Garth Cameron and Randy Mercer had held an AdventureSmart snow safety workshop in Tofino which Flynn attended with his family the first week of January. At the end of the workshop, each participant received an AdventureSmart FOX40 whistle.

"The AdventureSmart program is a great way to teach kids and adults about potential risks and effective safety tips for participating in outdoor activities," said Cameron.

AdventureSmart was funded by the SAR New Initiatives Fund from 2004 to 2007. For more information on AdventureSmart visit www.adventuresmart.ca.

 Table of Contents

United Arab Emirates to establish SAR capabilities

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be looking into a comprehensive SAR plan in order to enhance their national SAR infrastructure. The UAE's SAR initiative is expected to result in the creation of a National Rescue Centre and a SAR Secretariat. EMS Satcom has been selected by the UAE to provide the country with the SAR planning framework.

 Table of Contents

New name for federal department

As of March 1^st, the former department of "Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness" became "Public Safety". This may affect any stored web sites and e-mail addresses. Visit the Public Safety website at www.ps.gc.ca.

 Table of Contents

UAV teams compete in SAR exercise

Phase I winning UAV prototype from the University of Sherbrooke Photo credit: Team VAMUdeS, University of Sherbrooke

Remote-controlled Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs) are far from being toys. They play an increasing role in the Canadian military and may become a crucial part of search and rescue operations.

The second phase of the First Annual UAV Student Design Competition organized by UVS Canada will take place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, May 4th to 6th, 2007. Each team's UAV will be tested in a search and rescue application which the NSS has helped to develop, searching for and identifying ground targets within a two square km search area.

More information about the contest, this emerging technology and its application in SAR can be found on the UVS Canada website www.uvscanada.org.

 Table of Contents

Phasing out 121.5/ 243 MHz beacons - spread the word

The International Cospas-Sarsat system will stop satellite processing 121.5/ 243 MHz beacon signals as of February 1st, 2009. Beacon owners and users should begin taking steps to replace their 121.5/ 243 MHz beacons with 406 MHz beacons as soon as possible.

With a 406 MHz beacon, the position of the distress signal can be relayed to rescue services more quickly, more reliably and with greater accuracy. Everyone involved in SAR should promote the message that switching to 406 will help save lives.

For more information, please visit www.cospas-sarsat.org.

 Table of Contents

Attention military beacon owners

To register or amend beacon registration information please call the Canadian Mission Control Centre at 1-800-211-8107.

 Table of Contents