NZ SAR System

SAR SAR involves persons in distress, missing or injured Marine SAR - sea, harbours, rivers & lakes Coastguard provides the Coordinating Authority with Vessels Aircraft Radio & Incident Management support

Coordinating Authorities NZ Police Cat 1 Maritime New Zealand (RCCNZ) Cat 2 The Coordinating Authority best suited to manage the SAR operation (SAROP) determines who takes control

Which Coordinating Authority? Who becomes the Coordinating Authority is agreed between NZ Police and RCCNZ, but there are certain incidents that will automatically involve RCCNZ Missing or distressed aircraft Distress beacon activated – EPIRB, PLB etc Tasking of national resources – e.g. Navy Tasking of foreign resources – e.g. Merchant ships Flares must be also reported to RCCNZ to avoid possible confusion

Coastguard Units might be tasked by Tasking Coastguard Units might be tasked by NZ Police RCCNZ Coastguard Regional Office / Operations Or ‘self task’ if the Unit / Skipper is the first to be made aware of a distress situation

Precautionary Operations Many Coastguard operations are NOT SAROPS They are precautionary or ‘good Samaritan’ ops They are purely a Coastguard matter They do not officially involve a Coordinating Authority

CIMS Coordinated Incident Management System All SAR agencies in New Zealand have agreed to operate under CIMS Under CIMS each agency e.g. Coastguard remains in command of its own assets

Incident Management Team Incident Controller Overall control (strategic) NZ Police or RCCNZ Incident Management Team Operational management (tactical) In Marine SAR - NZ Police, RCCNZ or Coastguard personnel (depending on Category and ‘local' set up) On Scene Resources (operational) In Marine SAR - Principally vessels & aircraft

Incident Management Team (IMT) It is the IMT that CRV crew are in direct contact with The IMT is responsible for – Coordinating all operations assigned to them Assisting the Incident Controller in developing a plan Tasking additional resources (with approval of Incident Controller) Keeping Incident Controller informed The planning & intelligence gathering for the operation The logistics & admin for the operation

IMT – Roles & Responsibilities Operations Manager Regardless of size and set up of the IMT one person must take the role of Operations Manager The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall management of the IMT and for reporting to the Incident Controller

IMT Structure & Titles IMT size and structure will vary depending on available personnel and size of incident MSC (Marine SAR Controller) – Specifically trained in Operational Management and Search Planning DO (Duty Officer) - permanently manned operations centres will have a DO – often the first to made aware of a developing incident RO (Radio Operator) - responsible for IMTs radio comms Marine SAR Advisor – a person who has knowledge or experience particular to the operation, and is asked to assist the IMT

On Scene Resources – Structure & Titles Marine On Scene Command (OSC) Skipper of vessel who has overall responsibility for on scene operation – not always a Coastguard Skipper CRV Skipper responsible for own vessel & following instructions of OSC

On Scene Resources – Structure & Titles CAP Aircraft Pilot responsible for overall safety of aircraft In Flight Coordinator (IFC) responsible for on board planning / execution of SAROPs & comms with IMT In Flight Observer (IFO) responsible for observation

Senior NZ Police Officer (Cat 1) Example of CIMS Incident Controller Senior NZ Police Officer (Cat 1) IMT Operational Manager (Police Officer) trained as MSC and in CIMS Management Search planning / intelligence – Trained MSC (Coastguard) Logistics & admin – DO (Coastguard) Radio comms - 2 ROs (Coastguard) On Scene Resources 1 CRV (OSC) 1 Additional CRV 2 Private vessels On Scene Resources 1 CAP aircraft On Scene Resources Police & local land SAR volunteers conducting shore line search

Summary Coastguard is just one agency that provides resources to the Coordinating Authority You will be working with alongside other agencies / providers It is vital that you understand the general structure & particular roles / responsibilities within NZ Marine SAR