IAMSAR

• The International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) manual is a manual for organisation and operation of maritime and aviation search and rescue
• It is jointly published by IMO (International Maritime Organisation) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) 
• The IAMSAR manual is divided into three volumes:  

                                VOL I – Organisation and management 

                                VOL II – Mission Coordination

                                VOL III – Mobile fascilities

PURPOSE:

• The purpose of IAMSAR manual is to provide guidance to those who require assistance or who may able to provide assistance during emergencies at sea.
• Another purpose is to aid the master of any vessel who might be called upon to conduct the SAR operation for person or ship in distress.
• It help government to implement SAR convention and provide guidelines.
• It encourages all coastal states to develop their organisation on similar lines, as to enable adjacent states to cooperate and provide mutual assistance.

IAMSAR VOL III is mandatory to be carried on-board merchant ships. Following are the contents of IAMSAR Vol III:-

Section 1 : Overview
            – Responsiblities
            – SAR co-ordination
            – SAR Mission co-ordinator
            – On scene co-ordinator
            – Ship’s reporting system
            – AMVER

Section 2 : Rendering assistance
           – Initial action by assisting aircraft
           – Action/preparation while proceeding to a distress
           – Action by assisting aircraft
           – Search pattern
           – On scene communication
           – Care of survivors

Section 3 : On scene co-ordination
           – Planning & conducting the search
           – Co-ordination of search and rescue operation
           – On scene communication
           – Conclusion of search

Section 4 : On-board emergencies
          – Ship’s emergencies at sea
          – Distress signal
          – Man overboard
          – Medical evacuation
          – Aircraft emergencies

Appendices

Appendix A : Regulation V/33 of SOLAS 1974, as ammended
Appendix B : Search action message B-1
Appendix C : Factor affecting observer effectiveness C-1
Appendix D : Standard format for search and rescue situation report (SITREP) D-1
Appendix E : SAR briefing and debriefing form E-1
Appendix F : Own emergency
Appendix G : Rendering assistance

Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)

Merchant ship search and rescue manual

• It was the first step towards developing the 1979 SAR convention
• It provides guidance to those who may require assistance or may be able to provide assistance during emergencies at sea

MERSAR was closely aligned with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) search and rescue manual to ensure a common policy. That becomes an IAMSAR.

(i) EXPANDING SQUARE SEARCH

• To be used by single ship during search
• Most effective when location of the search object is known with relatively close limits
• It is appropriate for vessel or small boats to use when searching for a person in water or other small object with little or no leeway
• Accurate navigation is required 
• All course alteration are of 90° 
• The commence search point (CSP) is the datum position

(ii) SECTOR SEARCH

• To be used by only one craft at a time at certain location.
• Most effective when position of the search object is accurately known and search area is small
• An aircraft and a vessel may be used to perform independent sector search of the same area
• A suitable marker may be dropped at the datum and use as a reference point
• The commence search point (CSP) is where the ship or aircraft enters the area to be searched

(iii) PARALLEL SWEEP (TRACK) SEARCH

• To be used by multiple facilities when a large area is divided into sub-areas
• Most effective when position of the search object is uncertain and search area is large
• Search legs are parallel to each other
• The commence search point (CSP) is the one corner of the sub area

(iv) TRACK LINE SEARCH

• To be used by aircraft due to its high speed
• Most effective when a vessel or aircraft has disappeared without a trace along a known route
• Used as a initial search effort
• Search are along one side of the track of missing aircraft, and return in the opposite direction on the other side (TSR)
• Search are along the track of missing craft and once on each side, then search facility continues on its way and does not return

(v) CONTOUR SEARCH

• To be used by aircraft
• Used around mountains and valleys when sharp changes in elevation make other pattern not practicable.

(vi) CO-ORDINATED VESSEL AIRCRAFT SEARCH PATTERN

• To be used when on-scene co-ordinator is present to give direction and provide communication with the participating crafts
• Creeping line search is often used
• Most of the search is done by the aircraft, while the ship steams along a course at a speed directed by OSC, so that aircraft can use it as a navigational checkpoint
• When aircraft passes over a ship, it can easily make correction to stay on the track of search pattern
• It gives a higher probability of detection as compared to the aircraft searching alone
• Ship speed varies with the speed of the aircraft and the size of the pattern

(i)  WILLIAMSON TURN

-> Used as an immediate action manoeuvre just after the person fell
-> Put the wheel hard over to the side on which the person fell
-> When the ship has altered course by about 60° from its original heading, put the wheel hard over to other side
-> When the vessel is 20° short of the reciprocal course, put the wheel on midship and steady the course on reciprocal course

Advantage:     This pushes the stern away from the person in water

Disadvantage:   There is a chances that lookout person may loose sight of person over-board due to shift of focus and so, extra lookout should be posted on all sides, especially the stern

(ii)  SCHARNOW TURN

-> Used as a delayed action manoeuvre after the person has been reported missing
-> Put the wheel hard over to one side
-> When the ship has altered course by 240° from its original heading, put the wheel hard over to other side
-> When the vessel is 20° short of the reciprocal course, put the wheel on midship and steady the course on reciprocal course

Advantage:     It has the advantage of reducing distance loss during the manoeuvre.

(iii)  ANDERSON TURN/SINGLE TURN

-> Used as an immediate action manoeuvre
-> Stop engines and put the wheel hard over to the side on which the person fell
-> When clear the person in water, go all ahead full, still using full rudder
-> When the ship has altered course by about 240° from its original heading, put the wheel hard over to other side
-> When the target is 15° off the bow, put the wheel on midship and back the engines as required
-> It is used during SAR situations & used by ships with a very small turning circle

Advantage:     (a) Fastest MOB recovery method                      (b) Keep the person in water for least amount of time

Disadvantage:  (a) Very difficult for single screw vessel                       (b) Difficult because approach to person is not straight