Updated Coast Guard SAR Addendum

Originally posted to the United States Coast Guard Search and Rescue Blog; On Scene.

A new edition of the U.S. Coast Guard Addendum (COMDTINST M16130.2E) to the United States National Search and Rescue Supplement to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR) was signed and released on 21 Sep 2009.

This revision establishes several new policies as well as updates throughout the manual. The transmittal letter contains a detailed listing of changes. A summary of major changes include the following:

• Adds the Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAROPS) as the primary search planning tool with associated changes in search planning procedures.


• Updates for implementation of the RESCUE21 Communications System.


• Wording changes to reinforce and more clearly define SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC) as a particular individual that is assigned for each SAR case.


• Includes changes to reflect the Coast Guard reorganization.


• Updates the policies and guidance for the training, qualification and certification of SAR watchstanders and SAR chain of command.


• Updates Program goals to include Lives Unaccounted For (LUF).


• Updates policy on SAR agreements to require all agreements to have provisions for canceling and amending.


• Adds policy on release of names during active SAR cases, allows disclosure until the Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) System case is closed. Post case release subject to provisions of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.


• Adds requirement that all case studies be prefaced with the purpose of SAR case studies provided in paragraph 3.9.4.3.


• Removes language that each Department of Defense (DOD) service provides SAR for own forces, adds requirement for CG SAR Coordinator to coordinate with DOD services within their SAR region and to implement agreements as necessary to provide for SAR for DOD forces and to utilize DOD forces in SAR response.


• Allows for either CG or DOD SMC for cases involving DOD forces in distress, and adds direction for immediate CG response and a requirement to notify the Air Force RCC for all incidents of DOD forces in distress.


• Removes STAR-CG Service except for Alaska.


• Adds new section on CG Auxiliary Interpreters, availability and how to access.


• Expands discussion on First Light Serches following flare sightings. Includes further considerations for non-red/red-orange flares and other pyrotechnics and investigation time versus survival time and ultimate decision to dispatch resources in a timely manner.


• Adds policy for continuing search during darkness or other periods of reduced visibility.


• Adds policy on First Light Searches for other (non-flare) distress alerts. Requires additional searches if the first search was conducted at night or under reduced visibility.


• Adds requirement for Search Action Plans for all searches beyond initial response.


• Expands SAR case documentation and records policy and guidance.


• Revises policy for required semi-annual meetings with commercial assitance providers to allow flexibility. Details who shall represent the CG and minimum topics to be covered at each meeting.


• Adds clarification that the final decision to reside on scene to conduct or not conduct medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) resides with the Aircraft Commander, cutter Commanding Officer or Boat Coxswain.


• Expands discussion on air transportation between medical facilities to highlight the balance between medical care and appropriate use of CG resources


• Self-Locating Datum Marker Buoy (SLDMB) updates for incorporating data into SAROPS, expanded details on when and how SLDMBS shall be used, increased SLDMB deployment parameters, and policy and guiance on using SLDMBS to mark floating objects with no obligation to mark abandoned vessels with SLDMBS.


• Adds new policy on rescuing pets and other animals.


• Includes comprehensive abbreviations and acronyms listing.


• Made several significant changes in the appendicies.
  (1) Expands policy and guidance on SAR data entry in MISLE.
  (2) Adds medical protocol for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
  (3) Delete old Appendix L, STAR-CG Agreement example.
  (4) Adds new Appendix L, CG Legal Authorities references.
  (5) Removes Appendix M, COMSAT-C Web Interface.

Initial distribution of the U.S. Coast Guard Addendum will be electronically to Coast Guard units. District and Sector Command Centers should print a copy locally for use within the Command Center.

The electronic version of the U.S. Coast Guard Addendum can be accessed at the CG Directives System at the following site: http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim.asp

quick link to CG Addendum

What's It Like Moments Before An Amver Rescue?

Have you ever wondered what it must be like to be rescued by an Amver ship? Check out this incredible video from a rescue several years ago. It really puts things in perspective.



Help us ensure no call for help goes unanswered, enroll in Amver today.

Amver Attending The Inbound Marketing Summit

Today Amver attended the first day of the 2009 Inbound Marketing Summit at Gillette Field outside Boston, Massachusetts. We were fortunate enough to have won the conference attendance from Marketing Over Coffee and Hubspot. You can follow the conversation on Twitter by using Inbound Marketing Summit hashtag, #ims09. You can follow John Wall and Christopher S. Penn on Twitter or subscribe to Marketing Over Coffee on iTunes.



Where do you learn about new media tactics?

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Welcome Wednesday!

Another 39 ships have joined the Amver family. The value of these vessels cannot be understated. By joining Amver, these ships agree to better coordination during search efforts, help keep shipping running and on time by ensuring only the most appropriate vessel is diverted during a maritime emergency, and make it more likely a mariner in distress will be rescued. This commitment to safety, with no financial gain to shipping, is not lost on the United States Coast Guard. Amver and the Coast Guard is grateful to these companies for their dedication to ensuring no call for help goes unanswered.

Please welcome the following ships into Amver:

• APILIOTIS
• LAKE DYNASTY
• SESTREA
• CORONA NATURE
• CLIPPER TRADITION
• COLIN JACOB
• TAXIARHIS P
• MYKINES
• SEA SPIRIT I
• AOM SOPHIE
• ROCKAWAY BELLE
• USAC RAMADI
• GENCO MAXIMUS
• CHARLOTTE C
• SEVERNAYA ZEMLA
• GRAND VEGA
• LEADER
• DUXGIT INTEGRITY
• ATHENIA VICTORY
• WEALTHY STAR
• EURO TRADER
• CLIPPER POLARIS
• ATLANTIC PIONEER
• PENTERA ROSA
• ASTON TRADER 1
• UASC SUAIBA
• YIANNIS B
• CORINTHIA PHOENIX

What was your motivation to join Amver?

Photo credit: Fotolia

What Is An IMO Number?

Our friends at gCaptain recently wrote a great post explaining the meaning behind the IMO number. What is an IMO number? It's the number assigned to a ship when the keel is laid. It's the equivalent of a vehicle identification number, or VIN, and stays with the vessel until it is scrapped.

The messages Amver receives include the IMO number of the vessel. We collect this information so we can properly plot the vessels for search and rescue purposes and keep track of how often a vessel reports for awards purposes.

Photo credit: Fotolia

Coast Guard Testimony Before The Subcommittee On Coast Guard And Maritime Transportation

Image via Wikipedia

Amver's boss, Deputy Commandant for Operations Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara, recently testified before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

The subcommittee praised the work of the Coast Guard and mentioned many of the Coast Guard's successes. The subcommittee also stressed the Coast Guard is stretched thin.

You can read Admiral Brice-O'Hara's written testimony here or see a video of the testimony here.

What does this have to do with Amver? The answer is simple. The more commercial vessels enrolled in Amver the less likely the Coast Guard must rely on its own resources to provide search and rescue. Looking at it a different way, the more vessels reporting to the Amver system, the more likely the Coast Guard can quickly locate a resource near a distress location.

So enroll your vessels today.

Did you see Admiral Brice-O'Hara's testimony? What are your thoughts?

Amver, the Maritime Sector, and the DHS Quadrennial Review

Bryant's Maritime Blog recently include a brief report on the Department of Homeland Security's Quadrennial Review. What does that have to do with Amver? Amver is part of the United States Coast Guard which itself is a component of the Department of Homeland Security.

According to Bryant's blog there has been very little participation from the maritime sector. You can have your say in the review by participating in the national dialogue which is open from September 28 to October 4. The maritime sector should not be silent. Be sure to share you views and concerns with the Department.

Have you had your say?

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