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Planning and Business Support (PBS)

Shaping the future of Search and Rescue in Australia

Overview

Planning and Business Support

Planning and Business Support is focused on developments in aviation and maritime Search and Rescue, both national and international. The section also provides business planning support and retains an interest in safety education matters.

We strive for policies and practices in Search and Rescue to ensure they meet and, wherever possible, exceed the requirements of International Treaties and Conventions, community expectations and Australian government policy.

We work closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the international satellite organisation, Cospas-Sarsat. We also provide Secretariat support for a number of consultative councils and advisory groups.

We continue to take advantage of emerging technologies to keep improving Search and Rescue techniques, and expect to remain focused on this in the future as well as international developments in distress and safety communications.

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New technologies and their use in Search and Rescue

There are many new developments which are providing better ways of locating ships, aircraft and people in distress. These areas include:

Satellite communications
Global navigation satellite systems
Distress frequency monitoring satellites provided by Cospas-Sarsat
Ground-based wide area surveillance systems
Space-based wide area surveillance systems
Digital (406MHz) distress beacons

Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM)

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is currently developing a satellite-based system to meet the future communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) needs of civil aviation.

CNS/ATM, formerly known as the Future Air Navigation System (FANS), describes satellites, computers, data links, and advanced flight deck avionics working together to cope with aviation's growing needs.

The CNS/ATM system means a global system will replace the current ground based equipment.

We are closely monitoring developments in this field to ensure that it can continue to provide a timely Search and Rescue response.

Maritime safety communications for non-GMDSS vessels

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has strongly recommended that non-SOLAS vessels (under 300 tonnes) to be fitted with GMDSS-compatible equipment.

AMSA will continue to work with the State/Territory authorities to ensure that SOLAS and non-SOLAS vessel communications remain interoperable.

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National Forums

National Search and Rescue (SAR) Council

Representatives of the Commonwealth, State and Territory authorities responsible for Search and Rescue response meet annually to discuss Search and Rescue issues.

The delegates on the Council are responsible for the maintenance of the National Search and Rescue Manual, decisions affecting coordination of Search and Rescue nationally, and coordination of national Search and Rescue training.

For further information go to the National SAR Council's Website.

Australian Search and Rescue Consultative Forum

The aim of the Australian Search and Rescue Consultative Forum is to develop and maintain close and effective working relationships with the aviation and maritime industries on Search and Rescue issues.

The Council members are drawn from peak aviation and maritime organisations and meet on a six monthly basis. All participants have the opportunity to list items for discussion giving us valuable feedback from stakeholders.

Current members of the Council include representatives from:

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International Forums

Australia is actively involved in international forums, helping to create a global Search and Rescue system envisaged by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Australia aims to continually improve its own Search and Rescue system, while at the same time cooperating with neighbouring states.

Australia is actively involved with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Cospas-Sarsat.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Current involvement includes holding an ICAO sponsored seat on a joint ICAO and IMO sponsored working group which meets every 18 months to harmonise aviation and maritime Search and Rescue matters from a global perspective.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Current involvement includes regular participation in the Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue which is held in London every 12-18 months.

Cospas-Sarsat

Cospas-Sarsat is the international satellite system which is able to detect signals from distress beacons. We provide input to Cospas-Sarsat meetings held each year.

We are an active participant in Task Group meetings held to examine particular technical matters, in the Joint Committee meeting held each June and the Council meeting held each October. Australia is currently lobbying for the introduction of a lower cost digital (406 MHz) distress beacon.

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Regional Issues

We aim to promote effective regional and international liaison on Search and Rescue issues, particularly with countries which are adjacent to the Australian Search and Rescue Region (SRR).

Australia seeks to actively support the development of Search and Rescue capabilities in the South West Pacific, particularly in countries which border the Coral Sea.

Australia works to improve Search and Rescue effectiveness with Indonesia. Regular exercises are held and, from time to time, Search and Rescue courses are run.

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Overview of Legislation and Administration

Australia is a signatory to a number of international Conventions that oblige it to provide Search and Rescue services.

The Conventions are:

Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944 which requires the 186 contracting states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including Australia, to:

"provide such measures of assistance to aircraft in distress, in the SAR areas under their jurisdiction, as is practicable" (Annex 12);

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS), which requires signatories to:

"...ensure that any arrangements are made for coast watching and for the rescue of persons in distress at sea around its coasts. These arrangements should include the establishment, operation and maintenance of such maritime safety facilities as are deemed practicable and necessary having regard to the density of the seagoing traffic and the navigational dangers, and should, so far as possible, afford adequate means of locating and rescuing such persons." (Chapter V regulation 15);

The International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1979, which requires signatories to:

"...participate in the development of search and rescue services to ensure that assistance is rendered to any person in distress at sea." (Chapter 2);

The International Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 states:

"Every coastal state shall promote the establishment, operation and maintenance of an adequate and effective search and rescue service regarding safety on and over the sea and, where circumstances so require, by way of mutual regional arrangements cooperate with neighbouring States for this purpose." (Article 98, Paragraph 2);

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How can you be involved?

Help shape and develop Search and Rescue in Australia. Your views are important to us.

Please send us your comments by emailing Australian Search and Rescue

For further information contact Australian Search and Rescue.

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last updated: 12 May 2003