USCG Defines Response Procedures for Satellite Messaging Devices
Written by ACR Electronics, Inc.
Friday, 13 June 2008
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL and Command Center Controllers, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has
clearly defined the differences in response procedures in handling 406 MHz
distress alerts from EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons),
PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) and ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitter) and
response procedures to other commercially-based satellite messaging and
tracking systems and FRS transmitters, such as the GlobalStar/SPOT and
TracMe.
A PLB, ELT or EPIRB transmission is immediately considered a Distress Alert
(unless proven otherwise by procedural checks). Unless there is evidence
that there is no distress, this designation prompts the immediate launch of
a search mission. Compared with this, a telephone notification from a
regional call center of other commercially based messaging products first
requires a careful factual evaluation and categorization in the following
three categories-- Uncertainty, Alert and Distress:
Uncertainty Phase: A situation wherein doubt exists about the safety of an
aircraft or a marine vessel, and of the persons on board.
Alert Phase: A situation wherein apprehension exists as to the safety of an
aircraft or marine vessel, and of the persons on board.
Distress Phase: A situation wherein there is reasonable certainty that a
vessel or other craft, including an aircraft or a person, is threatened by
grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
The United States Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue (CG-534) has
included this procedural clarification in an update (change 2) to the U.S.
Coast Guard Addendum to the United States National Search and Rescue
Supplement (NSS) to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and
Rescue Manual (IAMSAR), COMDTINST M16130.2D (series).
Each of the above Phases dictates a level of response from the Rescue
Coordination Centers. Telephone notifications will be categorized to one of
these phases based on the amount of detail received. Reports that do not
include GPS locations or Float Plan-like detail from regional call centers
will not necessarily prompt the immediate launch of a Search Mission. The
USCG will continue to seek additional information before assets are
deployed.
ACR Electronics¹ President Paul Frank stated that ³In life-threatening
situations, the time of response is of the utmost essence. A 406 MHz EPIRB
or PLB will generate the quickest possible response from Search and Rescue.²
According to ACR Electronics¹ Vice President, Paul Hardin, ³Beacons do not
rescue people. It is the USCG and land-based SAR groups that rescue people.
The 406 MHz system is a highly reliable distress alerting and locating
system that can reduce risk to SAR personnel and reduce the taxpayer funded
expense of SAR. If misused, the commercially-based systems can increase the
risk to SAR and divert lifesaving assets away from real emergencies.²
This information is provided to inform consumers so they are fully informed
on the capabilities of each system and the responses from Rescue
Authorities.
The links below will take you to the Publications referenced in this Press
Release.
http://www.uscg.mil/announcements Number 231/08
http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcoast/ALCOASY231.txt
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/g-opr/nsarc/nsrsupp.pdf Glossary
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/g-opr/manuals/cgadd/CGADD_wCH1.pdf Page 3-20
and 3-21
ACR Electronics, Inc. (www.acrelectronics.com ), a Cobham plc Company, designs and
manufactures a complete line of safety and survival products including
EPIRBs, PLBs, SSAS, AIS, SARTs and safety accessories. The quality systems
of this facility have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001:2000 Series
Standards. Recognized as the world leader in safety and survival
technologies, ACR has provided safety equipment to the aviation and marine
industries as well as to the military since 1956.
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