MARINE COMMUNICATION

GROUP 5

BANSAG, GIOVANIE T.
 INTRODUCTION

IAMSAR stands for the "International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and
Rescue" manual. It is a comprehensive set of guidelines and procedures developed by
the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in collaboration with the International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The IAMSAR manual is designed to facilitate cooperation and coordination in search

and rescue (SAR) operations between aviation and maritime services. It consists of
three volumes, each focusing on different aspects of search and rescue:

1. Volume I: Organization and Management*: This volume provides guidelines for

the establishment and management of search and rescue services at a national or
regional level.

2. Volume II: Mission Coordination*: This volume offers guidance for personnel
responsible for coordinating search and rescue missions, focusing on planning,
execution, and coordination.

3. Volume III: Mobile Facilities*: This volume is intended for personnel operating
aboard SAR aircraft and vessels, providing detailed information on SAR techniques,
equipment, and procedures.

The IAMSAR manual is designed to be a flexible resource that can be adapted to

meet the needs of different countries and regions, promoting effective and coordinated
SAR operations worldwide. It is updated regularly to reflect the latest developments
in search and rescue technology and practices.

Radio Medical Advice refers to a system that allows seafarers, crew on ships, or
people in remote areas to seek medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals
through radio communication. This service is critical for ships at sea or remote
locations where direct access to medical facilities is limited or non-existent.

In this system, a ship's crew can contact a designated shore-based medical center or
doctor via radio or satellite communication to describe medical symptoms, ask for
diagnosis and treatment recommendations, and receive guidance on handling medical
emergencies. Here's a bit more about how it works and why it's important:

- Purpose: To ensure that people on ships or in remote areas can receive professional
medical guidance in situations where direct medical assistance is unavailable.

- Communication Methods: The communication may be conducted via various

technologies like marine VHF radios, satellite communication, or other remote
communication systems.

- Usage Scenarios: It can be used in emergencies (such as injuries, heart attacks, or

other critical health issues) or for non-emergency situations like illness diagnosis and
treatment advice.
- Service Providers: Various organizations provide radio medical advice services,
including national maritime authorities, specialized maritime medical centers, or
private companies specializing in maritime medical assistance.

- Protocols and Standards: The service follows certain protocols to ensure that the
medical advice is reliable and appropriate, considering the constraints of being at sea
or in remote locations.

Radio Medical Advice is an essential part of maritime safety and health, providing
ship crews and others in isolated areas with a lifeline to medical expertise when they
need it most. It helps in making informed medical decisions and can be crucial in
stabilizing patients until they can reach a hospital or receive professional medical
assistance on-site.

SART and EPIRBs are both safety devices used in maritime and aeronautical
contexts, primarily designed to help locate people or vessels in distress.

SART (Search and Rescue Transponder):

- A SART is a device used to aid in locating a vessel or lifeboat in distress during

search and rescue operations.
- It works by responding to radar signals from search and rescue (SAR) aircraft or
vessels. When activated, a SART emits a distinct signal that shows up on radar
screens as a series of dots or lines, indicating the location of the SART.
- SARTs are typically used on ships, lifeboats, or life rafts. When a ship is in distress,
a SART can be activated to help rescuers locate the ship or the lifeboats.
- There are different types of SARTs, including radar-based SARTs (responding to
radar signals) and AIS (Automatic Identification System) SARTs, which transmit
GPS coordinates via AIS.

*EPIRBs (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons):*

- An EPIRB is a device designed to send a distress signal with location information to
search and rescue services.
- When activated, an EPIRB transmits a signal to satellites (such as those in the
Cospas-Sarsat system), allowing rescue services to determine the beacon's location
and dispatch assistance.
- EPIRBs are typically equipped with GPS to improve location accuracy and often
have strobe lights for better visibility at night or in poor conditions.
- EPIRBs are used primarily on ships and boats but can also be carried by individuals
(like on personal watercraft or in wilderness areas).
- When a ship sinks or a person is in distress, activating an EPIRB can rapidly alert
rescue authorities to the location, significantly improving the chances of a successful
rescue.
LO3.6: DEMONSTRATE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATONS AND
PROCEDURES FOR INTERNATIONAL AERONOTICAL AND MARITIME
SEARCH AND RESCUE (IAMSAR)

1. Initial Notification:

The SAR process begins when a distress situation is reported to the appropriate
authority, such as a maritime rescue coordination center (MRCC) or an aeronautical
rescue coordination center (ARCC). This notification can come from various sources,
including distress calls, satellite distress alerts, or reports from other vessels or
aircraft.
2. Assessment and Coordination:

Upon receiving a distress notification, the SAR authority assesses the situation based
on available information, including the nature of the distress, the location of the
incident, and the resources required for the response. Coordination with neighboring
SAR authorities may also be necessary, especially for incidents occurring in
international waters or airspace.
3. Search Planning:

The SAR authority develops a search plan based on the assessed information,
employing search and rescue units such as aircraft, vessels, and shore-based
resources. The search plan considers factors such as the search area, environmental
conditions, available assets, and the probability of survival for potential survivors.
4. Search Operations:
Search operations are conducted according to the planned search area, utilizing the
capabilities of available assets to cover the designated area systematically. Aircraft
may conduct visual searches, radar sweeps, or utilize other sensor technologies to
detect distress signals or signs of survivors. Vessels may conduct surface searches,
employing radar, sonar, and visual observation.
5. Rescue Operations:

Once survivors are located, rescue operations are initiated to safely recover them
from the distress situation. This may involve deploying rescue swimmers, using
hoisting equipment on aircraft, or launching small boats from vessels. Medical
assistance and first aid are provided as needed to survivors.
6. Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC):

In cases where survivors require urgent medical attention beyond the capabilities of
on-scene resources, medical evacuation procedures are implemented. This may
involve airlifting survivors to medical facilities ashore or transferring them to
medical vessels equipped with advanced medical facilities.
7. Post-Rescue Procedures:

After survivors are rescued and medical needs are addressed, post rescue procedures
include debriefing survivors, providing necessary support and assistance, and
documenting the SAR operation for analysis and lessons learned
LO3.7: DEMONSTRATE THE USAGE OF RADIO MEDICAL SERVICE
COMMUNICATION SEEKING FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AT SEA

Step 1: Contacting the Radio Medical Service

The captain would use the ship's radio communication equipment to contact the
designated radio medical service. This could be via high-frequency (HF), very high-
frequency (VHF), or satellite communication, depending on the ship's equipment and
location.

Step 2: Providing Initial Information

When the connection is established, the captain or ship's medic would need to
provide some key information to the medical service. This might include:
- The ship's name and call sign
- The ship's current position (latitude and longitude)
- Details of the medical emergency
- The condition of the patient(s)
- Any actions taken so far

Step 3: Receiving Medical Advice

Once the medical service has the necessary information, the ship's crew can describe
the patient's symptoms and injuries in more detail. The medical expert on the other
end will provide specific advice on how to proceed, which might include:
- Basic first aid measures
- How to stabilize the patient
- Whether to administer specific medication
- Procedures to follow for further treatment or observation

Step 4: Following Medical Advice

After receiving guidance from the medical expert, the ship's medic or captain would
follow the recommended procedures. This could include:
- Administering first aid or other treatments
- Making arrangements to evacuate the patient, if necessary
- Monitoring the patient's condition

Step 5: Providing Feedback and Updates

It's important to keep the radio medical service informed about the patient's condition
as it changes. This feedback allows the medical expert to adjust their advice and
recommend further actions if needed.

Step 6: Coordination with Emergency Services

If the situation is severe, the radio medical service might coordinate with emergency
response teams or rescue services to arrange a medical evacuation or assistance upon
reaching port. The ship's captain would follow any instructions given by the medical
service to ensure the safety of the patient and crew.
LO4.1: DEMONSTRATE THE PROCEDURES IN TESTING, MAINTANING,
AND ACTIVATING OF SART AND EPIRB

Testing and Maintenance Procedures:*

1. Regular Inspection:
- Conduct regular visual inspections of the SART and EPIRB to ensure they are in
good condition and free from damage or corrosion.
- Check the integrity of the antenna, casing, and battery compartment seals.
- Verify that the unit is securely mounted and accessible for deployment in an
emergency.

2. Functional Testing:
- Perform functional tests of the SART and EPIRB according to the manufacturer's
instructions and recommended testing schedule.
- For SART, ensure that it responds to radar signals by conducting a test using
appropriate radar equipment.
- For EPIRB, activate the self-test function if available and verify that the unit
transmits a test signal successfully.

3. Battery Replacement:
- Replace the batteries in the SART and EPIRB according to the manufacturer's
recommended interval or expiration date.
- Ensure that the replacement batteries meet the specifications provided by the
manufacturer and are properly installed.

4. Documentation:
- Keep detailed records of all inspections, tests, and maintenance activities
performed on the SART and EPIRB.
- Record the dates of battery replacements and keep track of the expiration dates of
the batteries.

Activation Procedures:

1. Emergency Situation:
- In the event of an emergency, such as a vessel sinking or aircraft crash, assess the
situation and determine if activating the SART or EPIRB is necessary.
- If immediate assistance is required, activate the SART or EPIRB to transmit the
distress signal and alert search and rescue authorities to your location.

2. EPIRB Activation:
- Locate the EPIRB and remove it from its mounting bracket.
- If the EPIRB has a manual activation switch, activate it by flipping the switch to
the "on" position.
- If the EPIRB is equipped with an automatic activation feature, ensure that it is
properly deployed and will activate automatically when submerged in water.

3. SART Activation:
- In the event of an emergency, remove the SART from its mounting bracket or
storage location.
 - Turn on the SART by following the manufacturer's instructions for activating the
unit.
- Ensure that the SART is held upright and has a clear line of sight to any searching
radar.

4. Monitoring and Response:

- Once activated, the SART and EPIRB will transmit distress signals on designated
frequencies.
- Monitor the distress frequencies for any acknowledgment or communication from
search and rescue authorities.
- Await instructions from search and rescue authorities and follow their guidance
for further actions.

By following these testing, maintenance, and activation procedures, mariners and

aviators can ensure that their SART and EPIRB devices are properly maintained and
ready for use in emergencies, thereby enhancing their safety at sea or in the air.
QUIZ!

1. What does IAMSAR stand for?

a) International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue
b) International Air and Marine Safety and Rescue
c) International Aeronautical and Maritime Safety and Regulations
d) International Aerial and Marine Search and Rescue

2. How many volumes are there in the IAMSAR manual?

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

3. Which IAMSAR volume is designed for mobile facilities, like aircraft and ships,
involved in search and rescue operations?
a) Volume I
b) Volume II
c) Volume III
d) None of the above

4. What is Radio Medical Advice used for?

a) Seeking weather information while at sea
b) Seeking medical advice and guidance for treatment in remote or maritime
locations
c) Establishing communication with other ships
d) Reporting maritime accidents to authorities

5. What does SART stand for?

a) Safety and Rescue Transmitter
b) Search and Rescue Transponder
c) Satellite and Radar Tracking
d) Shipboard Alert and Rescue Tool

6. What does EPIRB stand for?

a) Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon
b) Emergency Position Information and Rescue Broadcast
c) Essential Personal Identification and Rescue Beacon
d) Electronic Position Indicator for Radio Broadcasts

7. What is MRCC stand for?

a) Maritime Rescue Coordination Center
b) Marine Radar Coordination Center
c) Maritime Rescue Corpotation Center
d) Marine Rescue Coordination Center

8. Who are responsible for SAR operation?

a) MRCC
b) BBC
c) ARCC
 d) A and C

9. It is a device used to aid in locating a vessel or lifeboat in distress during search and
rescue operations?
a) START
b) FART
c) SART
d) SORT

10. is a device designed to send a distress signal with location information to search
and rescue services?
a) IAMSAR
b) SART
c) SAR
d) EPIRBS