RCCNZ Organisational CapabilityMarine SAR

Chris HenshawSearch and Rescue Officer, RCCNZ. 17 May 2010

Primary Function

To Coordinate Category II Search and Rescue activity in New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Region (NZ SRR).

What are we• A Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC)

• Maritime, Aviation and Land

• 24 / 7

• Search and Rescue Officers (SARO’s) trained to internationalmaritime and aviation SAR standards (IAMSAR)

What we doCo-ordinate SAROP’s (CAT II) at a national level in the NZ SRR. Typically these are blue water marine, aviation and distress beacon related operations (Note: Police are responsible for co-ordinating CAT I incidents)

Provide search and rescue (SAR) services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Work with over 100 rescue services and related agencies nationwide plus more than 10,000 SAR personnel and volunteers

Coordinate and liaise with international SAR agencies

CapabilityAt all times (24/7), a minimum of two Search and Rescue Officer’s (SARO’s) are on duty to coordinate a Search and Rescue operation

Any SARO can undertake the Search Mission Controller’s role (equivalent to the Incident Controller’s role under CIMS) during an incident

Additional RCCNZ staff, Police, NZDF, LandSAR and Diplomatic personnel are available in the event of a requirement to “scale up” during an incident

SARO’s can undertake any of the CIMS management roles

Capability

RCCNZ Staff have a wide range of skills and experiences, commercial and recreational, to underpin their SAR knowledge

Maritime - Commercial (blue water, international), Defence, Coastguard, private vessels

Aviation - RAF, RNZAF, RAAF, private pilots license, Commercial

Land - Police, Defence, LandSARCommunications – Radio Operators

Resources

Each SARO has access to a wide range of SAR assets with which to effect timely, safe and efficient rescues (examples are)

Defence – RNZAF (P3 Orion, Helicopter), RNZN (IPV’s, OPV’s,)

Commercial – Helicopters, Fishing and Cargo vessels,

Volunteers – Coastguard, LandSAR, Radio Operators

PoliceMOCComputer systems and software (e.g. SARMAP)

Resources - SARMAPSARMAP is a computer package which utilises real time tidal and wind information to model drift characteristics of MOB, drifting vessels/objects. Used to assist in planning and determining search areas.

SARMAP• is a tool • uses real time info• proven• used in conjunction with

local knowledge

ResponseTasking of appropriate SAR assets (aircraft, helicopters, vessels, personnel, fire, ambulance) to an incident without unnecessary delay

Search area determination planning (SAD’s) for marine incidents - local and international - support to Police / NZDF / Coastguard

Tracking of SAR Assets (e.g. AIS, TracPlus, Spidertracks)

Types of Incidents

Hen and Chicken Islands (May 2009)Alarm raised through the activation of a 406 EPIRB

Photo courtesy of NEST

Rescue Coordination CentreNew Zealand

Operations Room (24/7) 04 577-8030

EMAIL rccnz@maritimenz.govt.nz

www.maritimenz.govt.nz