INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION

E
IMO

JOINT ICAO/IMO WORKING GROUP ON ICAO/IMO JWG 11/4

HARMONIZATION OF AERONAUTICAL 19 July 2004
AND MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE ENGLISH ONLY
11th session
Agenda item 4

SAR OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES, PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES

Search and rescue of submarines

Submitted by Canada

SUMMARY
Executive summary: This document introduces an overview of submarine Search and
Rescue as requested by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) to be considered for inclusion in the International
Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual

Action to be taken: Paragraph 5

Related documents: IAMSAR Manual

Introduction

1 Globally, many States operate military, commercial tourist, commercial salvage or

scientific submarines, with the numbers of such vessels known to be considerable. These craft
are highly reliable, but accidents do occur in which a submarine comes to rest on the seabed with
survivors trapped in an intact compartment. Additionally, there is every possibility that survivors
may be found on the sea surface.

2 The attention of JWG members is drawn to the subject of Submarine Search and Rescue,
or SUBSAR. This is a highly specialized activity reliant on specific assets and for which timely
response, always important in SAR scenarios, is absolutely essential. Likewise, the medical
requirements for survivors of a submarine accident are also extremely specialized and generally
require urgent, specialized attention.

3 At present there is no omnibus international body with overarching global responsibility

for SUBSAR. However, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) submarine-operating
States have for many years paid close attention to the operational, technical, and medical aspects
of SUBSAR. Publications specific to NATO have been developed and are regularly updated.
More recently, an increasing number of non-NATO States have also been involved in the
standardization of SUBSAR procedures, generally under the aegis of activity already undertaken
by NATO.

For reasons of economy, this document is printed in a limited number. Delegates are
kindly asked to bring their copies to meetings and not to request additional copies.
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4 In the event a non-military unit or organization has reason to suspect that a submarine
accident has occurred, every effort should be made to contact the nearest Rescue Co-ordination
Centre in accordance with procedures identified elsewhere in the IAMSAR Manual. Vessels
suspecting such an accident, or believing themselves to have been involved in a collision with a
submarine, should anticipate a requirement to provide life-saving assistance. Further information
on SUBSAR and its parallel activity, Submarine Escape and Rescue (SMER) may be found at the
following website maintained by the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office
(ISMERLO):

<http://www.eastlant.nato.int/ismerlo> www.eastlant.nato.int/ismerlo

Telephone +44 7950 552131 or +1-757-836-1000

Action requested by the JWG

5 The Joint Working Group is invited to consider adding the text in Appendices A and B to
the appropriate places in the IAMSAR Manual.

***

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ANNEX

APPENDIX A

Insert the following text in IAMSAR Volume 2 and amend the table of contents appropriately.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Add the following:

"NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

SUBSAR submarine search and rescue"

Renumber section 6.14 to 6.15 and insert the following new section as 6.14.

"6.14 Underwater search and rescue

6.14.1 Many different underwater operations occur within SRRs, such as diving
operations or the operation of military or civilian submarines. When accidents occur,
survivors may be either on the surface or entrapped in a submarine resting on the seabed.
Military submarines trapped under the surface may use international distress signals or
specific military pyrotechnics, dye markers or beacons. In addition, submarines may
pump out fuel, lubricating oil or release air bubbles to indicate its position.

6.14.2 Submarine SAR, or SUBSAR, is a highly specialized and time-critical activity

reliant on specific capabilities and training. Medical care requirements for survivors of a
submarine accident may also be specialized.

6.14.3 Military submarine-operating States have developed standard SUBSAR

procedures, capabilities and training, generally under sponsorship of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) for the recovery and care of submarine accidents. RCCs
may request support of these resources should the need arise. Relevant information may
be obtained from a website maintained by the International Submarine Escape and Rescue
Liaison Office, www.eastlant.nato.int/ismerlo and help may be arranged by telephoning
this office at +44 7950 552131 or +1-757-836-1000.

6.14.4 RCCs should be aware if specialized navy or commercial recovery or treatment

facilities (such as the ones with decompression chambers) exist within or near their SRRs,
and arrange in advance for their use on a 24-hour basis. Similarly, RCCs should indicate
to the navy that in the event of military submarine accidents that the RCC could assist
through broadcasts or by tasking mobile facilities for surface SAR purposes.

6.14.5 An RCC's most likely source of information about an actual or possible

submarine accident will be vessels on scene, and assistance of these vessels may be
needed during the response.

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6.14.6 Most SAR personnel are poorly prepared to understand or handle medical
problems peculiar to underwater activities, such as decompression sickness, air embolism,
and nitrogen narcosis. However, they should be trained to recognize the symptoms and
know how to obtain competent medical advice. They should also be trained in handling
and transporting victims of such problems without worsening their situations. If possible
to aid in the treatment of the victim, obtain information such as time underwater, depth,
time at the surface, time of the onset of symptoms, and the symptoms currently being
experienced.

6.14.7 Air transport of victims of underwater accidents is safest in a pressurized aircraft

that can maintain sea-level cabin pressure, or by flying non-pressurized aircraft no higher
than 70 metres. If oxygen is available, it should be administered by mask at the highest
concentration available."

APPENDIX B

Insert the following text in IAMSAR Volume 3 and amend the table of contents appropriately.

Insert the following section after the section on Aircraft Reporting System (pages 1-5) in
Section 1.

"Underwater search and rescue

● In the event a mobile facility has reason to suspect that an underwater accident
has occurred, every effort should be made to contact the nearest Rescue
Co-ordination Centre. When accidents occur, survivors may be either on the
surface or entrapped in a submarine resting on the seabed. Generally, medical
care requirements for survivors of an underwater or submarine accident is
specialized and competent medical advice is required.

● Vessels believing they have collided with a submarine, as with a collision with
another vessel, should anticipate a requirement to provide SAR assistance.

● Further information on Submarine SAR and its parallel activity, Submarine

Escape and Rescue may be found at the following website maintained by the
International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office:
www.eastlant.nato.int/ismerlo."

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