D9 Sar Plan

Front 1

The “Ethos” of the SAR Responder

Back 1

“CGD Nine SAR responders should treat every potential victim as one of our own family members.”

Front 2

Coast Guard Responsibility

Back 2

The Cleveland SAR Sub-Region, previously the Great Lakes SAR Region, comprises the U.S. waters of the Great Lakes, connecting rivers, and navigable waters within the boundaries of the Ninth Coast Guard District. The Cleveland SAR Sub-Region is synonymous with the Ninth Coast Guard District.

Front 3

Air Force Responsibility

Back 3

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, serves as the single agency responsible for coordinating on-land federal SAR activities in the 48 contiguous United States, Mexico and Canada via memorandum of understanding with each entity. The AFRCC can be contacted at [phone], and all U. S. Coast Guard contact within the Cleveland SAR Sub-Region shall normally be accomplished via the Ninth District Command Center/RCC Cleveland.

Front 4

Canadian Coast Guard Responsibility

Back 4

Commander, Air Transport Sector of the Canadian Armed Forces is responsible for the coordination of SAR operations within the Trenton SAR Region. The Canadian Armed Forces and U.S. Coast Guard will provide for mutual cooperation, coordination and support of SAR operations for which either nation is responsible.

Front 5

SAR Coordinator (SC) Responsibilities

Back 5

Effectively provide search and rescue planning and oversight of search and rescue operations within the Cleveland SAR Sub-Region using available resources to render aid to persons and property in distress.

Front 6

SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC) Responsibilities

Back 6

Effectively provide search and rescue planning of search and rescue operations within a subset of the Cleveland SAR Sub-Region using available resources to render aid to persons and property in distress.

Front 7

On Scene Commander (OSC) Responsibilities

Back 7

The OSC should be the most capable facility available, taking into consideration SAR training, communications capabilities, and the length of time that the facility can stay in the search area.

Front 8

Search and Rescue Unit (SRU) Responsibilities

Back 8

SRUs should execute SAR plans as assigned by SMCs/OSCs unless operational risk assessment or unforeseen on scene conditions suggest modifications to the plans, which should promptly be reported to SMC.

Front 9

Risk Assessment and Management

Back 9

Risk management is a process to identify and control unacceptable safety risks. Every mission event has some level of risk and not all the risks are known. Every event requires that risks are kept within controls (safeguards) that have been designed to handle them.

Front 10

Rescue from Electrified Water

Back 10

Under no circumstances should a rescuer enter or immerse any part of his or her body directly into the electrified waters in the CSSC. A rescuer shall not make contact with any PIW in the electrified area.

Front 11

GAR

Back 11

Graduated Assement of Risk, used to asses risk levels.

7 Factors:

Supervision

Planning

Crew Selection

Crew Endurance

Enviroment

Case Complexity

Front 12

PEACE

Back 12

A method of assessing risks

5 elements to consider

Planning

Event complexity

Asset selection

Communications

Enviroment

Front 13

STAAR

Back 13

Helps identify options

5 elements to assist in identifying options

Spread Out

Transfer

Avoid

Accept

Reduce

Front 14

MACKINAW, WLBB 240’

Back 14

Cheboygan, MI

Max Speed 18 kts

Front 15

ALDER WLB 225’

Back 15

Duluth, MN

Max Speed 15 kts

Front 16

HOLLYHOCK WLB 225’

Back 16

Port Huron, MI

Max Speed 15 kts

Front 17

BRISTOL BAY WTGB 140’ (barge)

Back 17

Detroit, MI

Max Speed 11.5 kts

Front 18

MOBILE BAY WTGB 140’ (barge)

Back 18

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Max Speed 11.5 kts

Front 19

NEAH BAY WTGB 140’

Back 19

Cleveland, OH

Max Speed 14.7 kts

Front 20

BISCAYNE BAY WTGB 140'

Back 20

St. Ignace, MI

Max Speed 14.7 kts

Front 21

KATMAI BAY WTGB 140’

Back 21

Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Max Speed 14.7 kts

Front 22

BUCKTHORN WLI 100’

Back 22

Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Max Speed 10.5 kts

Front 23

CCGS SAMUEL RISLEY

Back 23

Parry Sound, Ontario

Front 24

CCGS GRIFFON

Back 24

Prescott, Ontario

Front 25

CC-130 Hercules (CAN)

Back 25

Trenton, Ontario

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Front 26

CH-146 Griffin

Back 26

Trenton, Ontario

Front 27

Diver’s Alert Network (DAN):

Back 27

DAN provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the treatment of underwater diving accidents over the phone at [phone]. DAN will assist with diagnosis and initial treatment of an injured diver and can provide a referral to an appropriate decompression chamber.

Front 28

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):

Back 28

Through the Mission Coordination Center (USMCC), NOAA provides ELT, PLB and EPIRB information directly to Ninth District Rescue coordination Center.

Front 29

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):

Back 29

The FAA possesses numerous radar sites and points of contact to locate missing, overdue, and disoriented aircraft.

Front 30

Operations System Center (OSC), Martinsburg, WV:

Back 30

OSC maintains a database for the following systems: SAROPS, AMVER, SAROPS, and MISLE

Front 31

Federal Communications Commission (FCC):

Back 31

The FCC is able to set up a VHF DF net that can pinpoint distress calls. This includes mobile gear that can prove valuable in isolated areas.

Front 32

Initial SAR Action

Back 32

Initial action to a possible distress shall commence as soon as the nature of distress and general position of the emergency are known.

Front 33

Active Search Suspended (ACTSUS) Authority:

Back 33

The Ninth District Commander as SAR Coordinator (SC) retains oversight authority over all SAR activity occurring in the Cleveland SAR Sub-Region.

Front 34

Sector Commanders within the Ninth District are only authorized ACTSUS for uncorrelated (UNCOR) mayday/distress cases in the following situations:

Back 34

Uncorrelated mayday/distress calls where the search area has been determined to be unreasonable by SMC, using corrected sweep width calculations for the visual conditions forecasted within the search area.

Uncorrelated mayday/distress calls designated a probable hoax.

Electronic S-O-S transmissions and automated voice MAYDAY broadcasts.

Front 35

Next of Kin (NOK) Notification

Back 35

Whenever the Coast Guard is the lead agency (SMC), and locates a deceased victim or suspends search efforts for a confirmed victim, a Coast Guard official, preferably from the sector command cadre, will conduct NOK notification.

Front 36

A number of factors must be considered when planning the level of effort to apply to searching through the night and during periods of reduced visibility, including:

Back 36

Search units and sensors available

Crew rest and search unit refit.

Urgency of response.

Known persons in the water.

Keeping a search unit in the area during night and reduced visibility is also important for survivor confidence.

Front 37

Probability of Survival Decision Aid (PSDA)

Back 37

SAR personnel should, under most circumstances, use assumptions that give a conservative (i.e. longer) survival time estimate when using the Probability of Survival Decision Aid (PSDA), in order to avoid suspending the search before the victim might actually expire.

Front 38

Self-Locating Datum Marker Buoy (SLDMB):

Back 38

The Coast Guard SLDMB is designed to accurately track the upper one meter (three feet) of lake or ocean surface currents.

When SMC calls for use of a SLDMB, a Search and Rescue Unit (SRU) deploys the buoy, and it commences transmitting position information via satellite to a data server at the Coast Guard Operations Systems Center (OSC). http://sldmb.osc.uscg.mil

As a reminder, due to the large size of the SLDMB relative to the MH-65, SMC must pecifically request, prior to launch, that the MH-65 carry this equipment.

Front 39

Heavy Weather Plan

Cutter Lake SAR Standby

Back 39

Although SC or SMCs may request available cutter capability for SAR response at any time of the year, prevalent heavy weather, existence of ice, or possible non-availability of standard boat capability from late fall until spring necessitates that cutters be designated for SAR Standby during this period.

Front 40

Heavy Weather Plan

Schedule

Back 40

From November 1st to April 1st, CGD Nine (dpw-2) shall assign cutters to Lake SAR Standby for Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior. CGD Nine(dpw-2) will not normally assign SAR Standby for Lake Superior during the closed navigation season, nor for Lake Ontario.

Front 41

Heavy Weather Plan

Upgrading Readiness

Back 41

All command centers within CGD Nine shall continuously monitor forecasted weather conditions for indicators such as sustained gale force or greater winds (winds > 34 knots), the presence of ice or icing conditions, and stations’ ability to respond.

Front 42

Heavy Weather Plan

Boundries

Back 42

Located in Cleveland SAR Plan Page 3-8

SSM is designated as a safe area for Superior and Huron. Straits of Mackinac/St. Ignance is a dual coverage area for Huron and Michigan. Lake St Clair is dual coverage area for Huron and Erie.

Front 43

Inland SAR

Back 43

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), [phone], is the SAR coordinator for inland SAR.

Front 44

Refloating Grounded Vessels

Back 44

Only with the approval of the unit CO/OIC, Coast Guard units may refloat grounded boats.

• Coast Guard units or personnel are not placed in a position of jeopardy.

• The Coast Guard unit is capable of safely undertaking the refloating operation.

• The owner requests the assistance and agrees to the specific method to be used.

• There are no commercial salvage facilities available and willing to take the job.

• The hull is intact or so slightly damaged that there is no danger of it sinking once refloated.

• The boat can be refloated without causing additional damage.

• On scene weather is such that the boat will survive once refloated without capsizing or sustaining further damage.

Front 45

Humane Assistance

Back 45

Humane assistance is the rescue of animals.

These operations are not SAR and consequently shall be conducted only in ideal conditions, when the risk to personnel is negligible, and on a not-to-interfere basis with the unit’s primary mission. Units should be aware that if humane assistance is not provided, a SAR case may result if a third party becomes involved attempting to rescue the animal in distress.

Front 46

Station AOR boundries

Back 46

Located in D9 SAR plan Section 8

Front 47

SRUs for Ice rescue

Back 47

Helicopters should normally be launched as a SAR resource for ice rescue, in conjunction with appropriate available surface resources in an effort to prosecute the case in a timely, safe and effective manner. Station-based surface resources may be more appropriate in cases occurring on confined, small waterways, or where prevailing weather conditions prevent the safe launch of rotary wing SRUs, a condition experienced up to 50% of the time within the D9 AOR.

Front 48

Use of SPC-AIR for Ice

Back 48

Special Purpose Craft – Air (SPC-AIR) are long-haul conveyances designed primarily to transport ice rescue teams to the last known position of the subject in distress. SPC-AIR may also be used as conveyances to conduct searches when position uncertainty exists. Due to navigational limitations, searches using SPC-AIR should normally be constrained to the following situations:

• Trackline Single Unit Return (TSR) Search

• Shoreline/Contour Search

Maximum search speed for SPC-AIR on ice is 15 knots

Front 49

Use of SKF-ICE

Back 49

Skiff-Ice (SKF-ICE) are short-haul conveyances designed primarily to transport ice rescue teams to the last known position of the subject in distress. SKF-ICE should be used for limited searching only when no other SRUs are available or capable.

Front 50

Use of Ice Rescue Team Searches on Foot

Back 50

Ice rescue teams are short-haul resources intended primarily to conduct rescues where the distressed subject’s last known position is reasonably certain.

Two (2) hours is considered a reasonable search endurance, no more than a four (4) hour search.

Front 51

Sweep Width and Track Spacing

Person on or through ice

Ice Thickness

Back 51

• Person on/through ice = Person in Water

4 Inches

Front 52

Sweep Width and Track Spacing

Snowmobile

Ice Thickness

Back 52

• Snowmobile/ATV = Raft 4 person

5 Inches

Front 53

Sweep Width and Track Spacing

Automobile

Ice Thickness

Back 53

• Automobile = Power Boat <= 15 ft

9-12 Inches

Front 54

Sweep Width and Track Spacing

Light Truck/SUV

Ice Thickness

Back 54

• Light Truck/SUV = Power Boat 20 ft

12-15 Inches

Front 55

Sweep Width and Track Spacing

Air Boat

Back 55

• Air Boat = Power Boat (select length)

Front 56

Precedence of SAR resources for ice rescue as follows:

Back 56

• Helicopters

• Station-based surface resources:

• Cutters

Front 57

Minimum Crew Requirement for ICE rescue

Back 57

An ice rescue team consists of a minimum of four persons:

One team leader

Two rescuers

One communications person

Front 58

Maximum on-ice 4 hours

Back 58

Winds exceed 30 knots

OR　

Temperature below 10 degrees

OR　

When transiting thin ice

Front 59

Maximum on-ice 6 hours

Back 59

Winds less than 30 knots

AND　

Temperature above 10 degrees

AND　

When transiting solid ice

Front 60

Brash Ice

Back 60

Brash ice is the accumulation of small ice fragments broken off from other ice formations caused by weather or vessel passage.

Front 61

Candle Ice

Back 61

Candle ice is commonly found in late winter or early spring, and looks like many candles bundled together. This type of formation is rotting, or in the final stages of deterioration. It is porous, weak, unpredictable, and difficult to transit.

Front 62

Clear (Plate) Ice

Back 62

Clear ice forms by long hard freezes, is usually the strongest type of ice formation (depending on ice thickness), and can be blue, green, or black (depends on the color of the water visible though the ice). Clean, smooth, plate ice is sometimes referred to as "glare ice".

Front 63

Fast Ice

Back 63

Fast ice (also called land-fast ice, and shore-fast ice) is "fastened" to the coastline or fixed object. When fast ice detaches from shore, it becomes an ice floe.

Front 64

Frazil Ice/Frazil Slush Ice

Back 64

These first stage ice formations start with disk-shaped crystals that form and grow suspended in the water. These crystals eventually form a thin, oily, or opaque looking film that floats to the surface. Water movement interrupts the crystals’ growth. When this happens, the crystals cannot join together to form a solid sheet of ice.

Front 65

Hummocking

Back 65

When a broken plate or plates are forced perpendicular or near perpendicular.

Front 66

Ice Fracture

Back 66

Any fracture in the ice (open or closed). Depending on the wind direction, the fracture could be separating.

Front 67

Ice Floe

Back 67

Flat pieces of ice, 10 feet in diameter or larger. Can consist of one or many combined fragments of ice.

Front 68

Layered Ice

Back 68

Layered ice is a combination of two or more types of ice structures. Pockets of air and porous ice layers are questionable locations for ice an anchor.

Front 69

Lead Fracture

Back 69

Large, open crack that is too wide to transit across on foot. Usually indicates large ice floes that are moving. Rule of thumb: If you can jump over it, then it is a crack or fracture.

Front 70

Pack Ice

Back 70

The accumulation of ice floes formed by wind, waves or current. Ice fragments are larger than those used to describe brash ice.

Front 71

Pancake Ice

Back 71

Caused when small, loose fragments of ice (brash) repeatedly impact each other due to water movement, causing the sharp edges to round-over.

Front 72

Polynya

Back 72

Irregular, isolated openings in the ice. Caused by the re-joining of large floes. Small openings are "ice holes".

Front 73

Pressure Ridge

Back 73

Rows of ice piles formed by colliding wind-driven masses of plate ice.

Front 74

Rafting

Back 74

When an ice plate rides over the top of another plate.

Front 75

Rubble

Back 75

Large areas where prolonged pressure creates very rough terrain. Accumulation of windrows. Large areas are called "rubble fields." Like windrows, ice typically "rafts" or "hummocks."

Front 76

Snow Ice

Back 76

Formed from the freeing of water soaked snow. It is porous and low density.

Front 77

Heavy Weather Station

Back 77

Portage

Rochester

Grand Heaven

Front 78

SSM Long Haul

Back 78

Duluth

Bayfield

Sault Ste Marie

St Ignance

Front 79

Sec Det Long Haul

Back 79

Saginaw

St Clair Shores

Marblehead

Front 80

Sec LM Long Haul

Back 80

Sturgeon Bay