Appendix B - Responsibilities

Appendix B: Search and Rescue Functions and Responsibilities

OVERALL COORDINATOR FUNCTION TO BE PERFORMED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE OVERALL COORDINATING AUTHORITY

(See Note T1)
For land, sea and air Search Responsible Provision and Provision and Provision and Communications Air/ground Aircraft/ship
and Rescue Authority coordination of air coordination of land coordination of (other than communications for communications
SAR units SAR units marine SAR units air/surface) land search and where direct
rescue communications not
available
IN RESPECT OF AIRCRAFT
ON THE INTERNATIONAL AusSAR AusSAR POLICE AusSAR AusSAR Airservices Australia Airservices Australia
CIVIL, NATIONAL CIVIL (VH)
AND RECREATIONAL
AVIATION AUSTRALIA (RAA)
REGISTERS; AND MANNED
SPACE VEHICLES
IN RESPECT OF ADF
AIRCRAFT AND FOREIGN RAAF RAAF AS ARRANGED BY RAN RAAF RAAF RAAF
MILITARY AIRCRAFT IN THE RAAF/ARMY
AUSTRALIAN SRR (OTHER AUTHORITIES
THAN ADF SHIPBORNE
AIRCRAFT)

IN RESPECT OF ADF AND

FOREIGN MILITARY SHIPS RAN RAN AS ARRANGED BY RAN RAN RAN RAN
AND SUBMARINES AND RAN/ARMY
SHIPBORNE AIRCRAFT AUTHORITIES

IN RESPECT OF ADF AND

FOREIGN MILITARY ARMY ARMY AS ARRANGED BY RAN ARMY ARMY ARMY
PERSONNEL IN A LAND ARMY
ENVIRONMENT AUTHORITIES

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Appendix B - Responsibilities

OVERALL COORDINATOR FUNCTION TO BE PERFORMED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE OVERALL COORDINATING AUTHORITY

(See Note T1)
For land, sea and air Search Responsible Provision and Provision and Provision and Communications Air/ground Aircraft/ship
and Rescue Authority coordination of air coordination of land coordination of (other than communications for communications
SAR units SAR units marine SAR units air/surface) land search and where direct
rescue communications not
available
IN RESPECT OF PLEASURE
CRAFT AND FISHING POLICE (a) POLICE POLICE POLICE POLICE POLICE POLICE
VESSELS AT SEA,
(b) AusSAR Airservices Australia
UNREGISTERED AIRCRAFT
(See Not T1), PERSONS (c) ADF when only
MISSING IN A LAND OR service aircraft are
COASTAL ENVIRONMENT, involved
LAND VEHICLES, PERSONS (See Note T2)
AND VESSELS ON INLAND
WATERS, AND ALL NON-
MILITARY VESSELS IN PORT
IN RESPECT OF VESSELS
OTHER THAN THOSE FOR AusSAR AusSAR POLICE (a) AusSAR AusSAR AusSAR/ Airservices AusSAR/ Airservices
WHICH THE POLICE AND Australia Australia
(b) POLICE
DEFENCE FORCE ARE
RESPONSIBLE (See Note T3)

IN RESPECT OF
UNIDENTIFIED DISTRESS AusSAR AusSAR POLICE (a) AusSAR AusSAR AusSAR/ Airservices AusSAR/ Airservices
BEACON ALERTS Australia Australia
(b) POLICE
(See Note T3)

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Appendix B - Responsibilities

Table Notes:
T.1. Overall coordination responsibility may, if necessary, be transferred to or from
Commonwealth and State/Territory authorities, by agreement, during the
conduct of a Search and Rescue Operation.
T.2. AusSAR involvement shall apply when Police have requested AusSAR to:
(i) accept coordination of the air search; and/or
(ii) arrange for the provision of aircraft.
T3 Police involvement shall apply when AusSAR have requested Police to:
(i) accept coordination of the surface search; and/or
(ii) arrange for the provision of maritime SAR units.
General Notes:
G.1. The table is not intended to cause the withholding of facilities even though the
primary responsibility is that of another authority. Differences of opinion or
doubts will be resolved after the emergency has been cleared.
G.2. When it is the authority concerned, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
will be responsible for coordination with State/Territory and Commonwealth
Port and Harbour Authorities.
G.3. In this context, reference to Ships, Pleasure craft and Fishing Vessels means
within the capability of locally available facilities.
G.4. When Police require an air search in a SAR situation; they may request
assistance from AusSAR for both civilian and ADF air assets. To avoid
potential flight safety hazards and duplication of effort, AusSAR should be
advised whenever Defence Force assistance is requested.
G.5. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority in accordance with International Civil
Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organisation
(IMO) prescription provides discreet aeronautical and marine emergency
services.
G.6. The Commonwealth and the State / Territory Authorities shall each provide,
without charge, such assistance or facilities as may reasonably be
requested by the Authority arranging and coordinating an operation.
G.7. An Authority which hires or requisitions privately owned facilities shall, unless
otherwise agreed between the Authorities, bear any costs of hiring
or payment of compensation for requisitioning.
G.8. Defence may be called upon to provide air, land and maritime SAR units in
accordance with established procedures.

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