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REPORT OF THE TWENTY-NINTH

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL

SEARCH AND RESCUE

COUNCIL

Brisbane 17 - 18 November 2005

Austra

lian Na

tional Search and Rescue Coun

cil

Back Row (L-R) Matthew Pegg, Frank Raab, Paul Campbell, Roger Jeffery, Peter Owens, Rob Graham

Middle Row (L-R) John Young, Barry Gibson, Geoffrey Logan, Colin Barr, Murray Brissett, Mick Smith, Owen Nicholls, Rob Graham, Mark Walker-Roberts

Front Row (L-R) Glenn Finniss, Ken Post, Chris Wright, David Baird, Ron Melton, Peter Davis, John Arnold

TWENTY-NINTH AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE CONFERENCE

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DELEGATESORG NAME PHONE FAX

AMSA Mr David Baird (02) 62795700 (02) 62795757 Mr Colin Barr (02) 62795741 (02) 62795757 Mr John Young (02) 62795745 (02) 62795757 Mr Chris Wright (02) 62795710 (02) 62795757 Mr Murray Brissett (Secretary) (02) 62795750 (02) 62795757

ADF CMDR Owen Nicholls (02) 93595886 (02) 93595752

AFP Sgt Peter Davis (02) 62233019 (02) 62233100

NSW Police Insp Glenn Finniss (02) 93207419 (02) 96925407 Sgt Mick Smith (02) 96904944 (02) 96904933

NT Police Snr Sgt Roger Jeffrey (08) 89220819 (08) 89220810

QLD Police Supt Paul Lostroh (07) 33646124 (07) 33644634 Snr Sgt Rob Graham (07) 33644030 (07) 33644185

SA Police Snr Sgt Mark Walker-Roberts (08) 84637262 (08) 84637261

TAS Police Insp John Arnold (03) 63762028 (03) 63761687

VIC Police Snr Sgt Barry Gibson (03) 95371006 (03) 95347663

WA Police Insp Ken Post (08) 92221630 (08) 92221841 Const Frank Raab (08) 94428600

OBSERVERS NZ Police Sgt Geoffrey Logan +64 4 4749421 +64 4 4987406


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CONTENTS Page

Delegates’ contact details i

Report of Proceedings 1

Agenda: WP 29/1/1 13

Secretary’s report: WP 29/2/1 15

Appendix 1 – Working Papers

Working Paper 29/3/2: Submitted by AMSA - National SAR Manual Amendments 17

Working Paper 29/3/4: Submitted by AMSA – Distress Beacon Issues 19

Working Paper 29/3/5: Submitted by AMSA – Land Search Operations Manual 25

Working Paper 29/3/6: Submitted by NSW – SAR incident involving the JASMINE ACE II 30

Working Paper 29/4/1: Submitted by AMSA - Emergency Response Centre 31

Working Paper 29/4/2: Submitted by AMSA - New Developments in AMSA’s Search and Rescue Program 33

Working Paper 29/4/3: Submitted by AMSA – TRACME 34

Working Paper 29/4/4: Submitted by WA – SARMAP 35

Working Paper 29/4/5: Submitted by AMSA – SAR-TRAK24 37

Working Paper 29/4/6: Submitted by QLD – Titley Electronics 38

Working Paper 29/4/7: Submitted by AMSA – Information Exchange 39

Working Paper 29/4/8: Submitted by NSW – Marine Offshore Tracking Sheets 45

Working Paper 29/5/1: Submitted by Secretariat – SAR Council Website 53

Working Paper 29/7/1: Submitted by SA - National Police SAR Managers Course 54

Working Paper 29/7/2: Submitted by NSW – Standardised National Training for Maritime Volunteers 65

Appendix 2 – Jurisdictional reports

2A: AMSA report 88

2B: South Australia report 90

2C: New South Wales report 93

2D: Queensland report 96

2E: Western Australian report 100

2F: Tasmanian report 104

Appendix 3 – National SAR Council Meetings 106


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REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS

Day One – Thursday, 17 November 2005

Welcome by Superintendent Paul StewartSuperintendent Stewart welcomed delegates to the 29th National SAR Council meeting in Brisbane. He made apologies for Acting Assistant Commissioner Graham Rynders who was unable to attend to open the conference because of a conflicting senior executive conference. Superintendent Stewart made mention of the importance of coordination, cooperation, communications and community in SAR operations, citing several incidents that have occurred in Queensland. He declared the 29th Council meeting open and again welcomed the delegates to Queensland and the meeting.

Introduction by ChairThe chair of the Council, Mr David Baird (AMSA) also welcomed the delegates and observers to the 29th meeting. He thanked Queensland for hosting the meeting and the excellent welcome from Superintendent Stewart. He then introduced the new members and observers to the Council. Rob Graham (QLD) then introduced the Queensland observers to the meeting.David Baird reported that the past year had been a busy one for SAR. He reported on the continuing cooperation and coordination between the parties of the SAR Council. He pointed out that the outstanding feature of the past twelve months has been the solid cooperation and partnership that continues to build coming out of the SAR Council.David Baird summarised what he expected to be discussed at this Council meeting pointed out that there appeared to be a lot of issues to get through in the allotted time.

Agenda Item 1: Acceptance of the AgendaWP29/1/1- Provisional AgendaDavid Baird (AMSA) introduced the Agenda and asked for comments and items for other business.Geoffery Logan (NZ) asked that time be made for a New Zealand report during other business. David Baird explained that time would be allocated for the NZ report at the end of the jurisdiction reports from the other delegates.Barry Gibson (Vic) said that he had a presentation on the Mt Hotham incident and it was suggested that it be made in concert with the AMSA presentation on information exchange. This was agreed.

Agenda Item 2: Secretary’s ReportWP29/2/1- Secretary’s ReportThe Secretary summarised the action items from the previous meeting. Rob Graham (QLD) reported that the information about Queensland SAR Councils had been passed to Western Australia as an action of the last meeting.John Young (AMSA) mentioned that he would be reporting on the formation of the working group looking at information exchange later in the meeting. He also mentioned that the issue of SAR statistics, as a perennial problem, should be revisited at this meeting. It was agreed that the issue should be discussed during other business on the last day.Barry Gibson (Vic) suggested that the Victorian Marine Management System could be discussed during the session on SAR statistics. Barry Gibson also explained that he would be the nominated coordinator for all jurisdictions with regard to maintenance of the National SAR Council Web page describing diving assets and equipment.The Secretary’s report was accepted.


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Agenda Item 3: SAR OperationsWP29/3/1 – Jurisdiction reportsAMSA – Chris WrightChris Wright reported on the statistics for AMSA operations over the previous 13 months. He reported that there had been a small rise in searches and incidents over the period. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of beacon incidents that could partially be as a result of the way beacon alerts are now being recorded in the Incident Register. There were a total of 4284 beacon related incidents over the period of which 753 were 406 related. He reported that we are beginning to see the result of the introduction of a greater number of 406 MHz beacons into the SAR system with the increase in number of searches overall being in line with the increase in general incidents and not the increase in beacon related incidents. This could be related directly to the fact that many beacon related incidents are dealt with by referring to the 406 registration database and resolved by phone rather than requiring searches to resolve the alert. There has been a significant increase in the cost of live SAR over the past year that could be attributed to higher fuel costs. In summarising the incidents related to beacon alerts, Chris pointed out that there is an increasing use of beacons on land. He also pointed out that there were some 77 malicious beacon activations of which over 50% occurred in Western Australia. Chris continued by briefly looking at several incidents of interest including a Metroliner crash in Queensland, the Mt Hotham aircraft accident, the incident involving a sailing vessel in the Great Australian Bight, man lost overboard off Queensland and the incident involving the loss of five people with the sinking of an immigration vessel in the Torres Strait. Chris finished his report by saying that throughout he year there had been excellent cooperation with the Police and ADF. AFP – Peter DavisPeter Davis reported on a number of incidents involving missing persons. Peter also reported that members of the disaster victim identification team were involved in the aftermath of the Tsunami and Bali bombings. Northern Territory – Roger JefferyRoger Jeffery reported on the statistics for Northern Territory incidents. Roger reported the acquisition of a Steber 47 ft vessel. Prior to the purchase, the NT capability was limited to the harbour. As a demonstration of the improved capability, the NT Police were tasked by the RCC the weekend before the meeting to rescue a yacht about 80 nms West of Darwin. The Steber was used and successfully located the yacht and towed it back to Darwin. Previously, NT police would have had to source a privately owned vessel.Roger reported on a number of additional incidents including an event where a couple of tourists hired a vehicle from the Alice Springs airport and failed to return the vehicle. It was found that they had also failed to fly out on their arranged flight so a search was begun. They were found severely bogged on a little used track. They had been bogged for five days and Roger suggested that this was a typical scenario for the Northern Territory. Australian Defence Force – Owen NichollsOwen Nicholls reported on Defence activities supporting civil search and rescue. He indicated there were over 23 incidents in this category including some that were locally arranged and, because they were not coordinated directly by his headquarters, he had little visibility of these incidents. Owen made the points that the ADF normally became involved because they had assets better positioned than anyone else to be able to provide a better response or because of the location of the incident. For example if the incident is well offshore, the ADF may have the only asset that can reach the particular incident. He also made the point that there are some locations in the SRR that


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even Defence assets can not reach directly from their base. There is, therefore, a need for the P3 or Hercules to be deployed to other bases such as Diego Garcia and then flown to the area of the incident, thus increasing the response time. Owen noted that the majority of incidents where the ADF was involved were maritime incidents. He reported on one incident of note where 70 personnel and vehicles from 7 BDE in Brisbane were deployed to Moreton Island for the search for a tourist lost on the island.Owen made mention of the proposed amendment to make it clear that the majority of ADF assistance to RCC Australia is conducted in accordance with the Australian National Search and Rescue Manual. However, the NATSAR manual does not cover the ADF for land searches such as the Moreton Island incident. This type of request is covered by the Defence Aid to the Civil Community (DACC) regulations and in the case of longer searches such as the Moreton Island incident, can lead to some extensive processes to achieve the goal.Owen noted that Defence SAR activities have not been confined to the Australian SRR and gave several examples of where Defence assets were used whilst on deployment. Queensland – Rob GrahamRob Graham gave a short presentation outlining SAR in Queensland including SAR statistics. He reported that the numbers of overdue vessels had increased and that strategies were being put in place to increase awareness of the need to remember to report back in when a journey was completed. One such strategy was to broadcast reminders over the most used VHF and 27 MHz maritime radio frequencies for boat owners to remember to report in on completion of their trip. Rob reported on the training undertaken during the year including a half-day course on DF homing using the Titley DF equipment. He also reported on the issue of losing qualified SAR personnel to other agencies and companies.Rob reported on a SAR survey that Queensland has been running and suggested that the survey showed that a lot of respondents believed that without regular annual training their skills were depleted. Rob reinforced the fact that the SAR skill sets are used in other fields such as forensic searches where the trained SARMCs are being used to coordinate the searches. He believed this was good recognition of the training undertaken by his SARMCs. Rob raised the case of a tourist lost on Fraser Island in 2001 whose skeletal remains were located two years later. Rob believes there are a number of worthwhile lessons to be learned from this case that could be transported to other jurisdictions. The tourist was briefed to make his own way to meet the tour group later in the day. He failed to meet the group. For various reasons the search for the tourist was not begun until four days later and only went for one day. The Coronial inquest found many problems with the incident and the Coroner was quite critical of the people in control of the incident. The Coroner recommended that Police SAR policies be reviewed and this had already been done before the Coroner released his report. Rob made the point that there is a lot of emphasis placed on IT and technology but some of the basics are being neglected. He made the point that the briefing and debriefing processes are critical to the search process. Queensland SARMCs are now required to tape all debriefs conducted. Rob then reported on the very similar incident of the Columbian businessman who was lost on Moreton Island in May 2005. He reported on the advice given by Dr Paul Luckin on survivability of the victim. He had advised that the man could survive from three to 10 days. The businessman was found on the tenth day. Rob and Dr Luckin conducted an interview with the businessman two days after he had been found and he made a number of interesting points. Rob reported that a DVD had been cut of the interview and would be distributed to members of the SAR Council in due course.Rob then briefed the meeting on the search in Torres Strait for a missing Immigration boat with five


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people on board. Rob reported that the handover to AMSA was conducted very smoothly and that this was the first incident where the new Dornier aircraft from Darwin was utilised in a search operation. John Young asked whether the SARMCs in each of the regions dealt with both land and maritime SAR. Rob explained that there were specific marine SAR regions but that there is land SAR conducted in districts within the regions not under the control of the SARMC. He agreed there is a need for the regional SARMC to be responsible for all SAR and that this was being looked into. Action: Rob Graham (QLD) to distribute copies of the DVD of the interview with the Columbian

businessman found on Moreton Island to other jurisdictions.Western Australia – Ken PostKen Post began by providing the SAR statistics for the previous year for Western Australia. He pointed out that over half the marine incidents involved lack of fuel, fuel blockages, engine overheating or electrical problems. Ken believed that this indicates that people are not maintaining their vessels well enough and is something that he intends to take up with WA marine authorities to see if a program can be developed and instigated to remedy this problem. Ken also mentioned the problem of EPIRB inadvertent and malicious activations. Again, he is working with WA DPI to reduce these incidents. Ken reported on two incidents of interest. The first involved an elderly couple that tried unsuccessfully to row their tender back to their yacht moored off Rottnest Island and ended up being lost to sea. The search resulted in the body of the woman being found but the man’s body was never located. The second incident occurred off Esperance where two local fishermen ended up in the water after their vessel was swamped. One was a very fit and healthy young male and the other much heavier. The incident highlighted some aspects of survival. The fit young person died of hyperthermia within four hours. The second stayed in the water for 22 hours and managed to survive. He eventually made his way to a small sandy beach on another island where he was located by a search vessel. Ken also reported on an interesting land SAR case where a Japanese tourist tried to climb Mount Augustus, a very isolated area that is becoming very popular with tourists, and was lost. His body was found close to the track and to the car park that he was headed for but it is believed that although there was very good signage, there is a perception that the tourist may not have been able to understand the English language. New South Wales – Mick Smith and Glenn FinnissMick Smith reported on land SAR and Glenn Finniss on marine SAR for NSW. Glenn pointed out that volunteers are conducting 60% of the SAR work for the NSW Water Police with jobs being coordinated by the local Water Police. David Baird asked whether any analysis had been conducted of the reasons behind the large number of vessel related incidents. Unfortunately, staffing shortages means that that level of analysis of statistics is not easily available. Glenn mentioned that a number of incidents are related to Defence activities (possible flare sightings, practice firings etc) and asked whether other jurisdictions had a similar problem. He remarked that the Water Police had a direct number to Defence Operations and liaised closely to try to reduce the callouts. Victoria – Barry GibsonBarry Gibson began by making apologies for Ken Ashworth’s late withdrawal from the meeting. Barry gave an example of the maritime statistical model being developed in Victoria and suggested that it should assist Police to collect and analyse the appropriate statistics.


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Barry reported on several incidents of interest. Barry also commented on some Victoria Police SAR officers who have been seconded to other authorities and agencies as spoken about by Rob Graham (QLD). He also mentioned some of the equipment and personnel that Victoria SAR has been able to access through use of CT funding. Tasmania – John ArnoldJohn Arnold reported on SAR statistics and training conducted in the last year in Tasmania. He reported there were no drownings from recreational vessels during the year and only one drowning fatality from commercial vessels. John noted that Tasmania, even though a small state, is still having difficulties collating the statistics from their three regions. Chris Wright commented on the apparent positive acceptance of the regulations for compulsory wearing of PFDs in recreational boats in Tasmania. South Australia – Mark Walker-RobertsMark Walker-Roberts began by passing on Peter Hoadley’s apologies for not being able to attend the meeting. He reported on SAR tasking in South Australia. South Australia is about to take delivery of three new helicopters that should be available for SAR operations. Mark continued with several examples of incidents of interest to the meeting including an incident on or near the WA/SA border where coordination was transferred four times between the States. AMSA was also involved in the incident where a number of interesting issues were raised. New Zealand – Geoffery LoganGeoffery Logan reported that the New Zealand SAR Council is considering a cost benefit analysis for Maritime New Zealand to take coordination of all salt-water SAR incidents. The SAR Council is considering the paper on 5 December. If the paper is accepted the change will not take place until June 2007. Geoffery reported that a 4-year public information program was launched on 16 November for 406 MHz distress beacons to facilitate the changeover from the analogue to digital systems because of the cessation of satellite monitoring in February 2009. Under Project Protector, a whole of government approach has been taken to enhance New Zealand’s capability for tasks undertaken at sea. The Project will deliver nine new vessels from 23 to 123 metres in length. The introduction of these vessels will enhance the SAR capability well out to sea. Geoffery then reported on New Zealand SAR statistics, DVI deployments and training. SummaryThe chair thanked all delegates for there reports and recognised the comprehensive nature of all reports. Ken Post thanked AMSA for its support throughout the year and David Baird responded that the degree of cooperation between the SAR authorities has improved dramatically since his time as the GM of Emergency Response, AMSA and believes that the authorities need to build on that cooperation. Rob Graham added that he believed that running the Police SAR Managers course in Canberra has increased the awareness of AMSA and the RCC for many more police SAR operatives. The chair then commented that the reports made and the statistics produced indicated that the major clientele appeared to come from the marine environment. He then suggested that prevention is better than cure and that the SAR Council should better communicate and connect with the National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC). Jurisdictions were asked to establish better links and reporting to their respective State and Territory maritime safety authorities. Action: Secretariat to establish reporting to the NMSC.


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John Arnold identified that boat salesmen in Tasmania were urging buyers to register their vessels at 6.1 metres to avoid having to wear life jackets as per State regulations. The chairman identified that this information should be conveyed to the NMSC. Action: Delegates were requested to provide copies of all reports for inclusion in the report of

proceedings. Delegates are requested to provide their reports by 15 December.

Agenda Item 4: SAR Applications and InfrastructureWP29/4/4 – SARMAPFrank Raab (WA) and Dr Sasha Zigic from Asia-Pacific Applied Science Associates (ASA) gave a presentation on ASA’s latest SAR mapping and analysis program, SARMAP. Dr Zigic explained about his company and how SARMAP worked and then demonstrated the system to the interest of all.

National SAR AwardThe meeting reconvened at 1430 for the presentation of the National SAR Award to Dr Paul Luckin. Deputy Commissioner Dick Condor made the presentation to Dr Luckin.

Agenda Item 3: SAR OperationsWP29/3/2 – National SAR Manual Amendments Colin Barr (AMSA) introduced the paper on amendments to the National SAR Manual. He summarised the amendments required stating that they are straightforward and simple. Colin then handed over to Owen Nicholls (Defence) to explain the first of the Defence amendments. Owen explained that the current text in the manual requires the use of the Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC) regulations and Owen submitted that the new text, as proposed by him at the meeting, would allow aviation and maritime SAR to be conducted in accordance with the National SAR Manual and thereby remove considerable procedural overheads required when dealing with DACC. He suggested that as the National SAR Manual did not sufficiently cover Land SAR that DACC requirements would still need to be met for Defence to be involved in land SAR operations such as the missing tourist on Moreton Island in May 2005. Owen proposed a change to the amendment to Para 1.3.50 to amend the last sentence to read: “Within Defence this type of assistance will be provided under the authority of this manual, except for searches for persons missing in a land environment. Searches for persons in a land environment are categorised as Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC) Category 1.” He suggested that if and when the Land SAR Operations manual is incorporated into the National SAR Manual this issue could be revisited and all SAR carried out by Defence could be in accordance with the SAR Manual. Colin asked that the Council approve the proposed amendments. There were no comments and the amendments were approved and will be incorporated as soon as possible. Action: Secretariat to amend the National SAR Manual in accordance with the amendments proposed in the working paper as amended by the Defence delegate and agreed by the Council. WP 29/3/3 – State SAR CouncilsDelegates were asked by the chairman to report on the State SAR council operations within their jurisdictions. Rob Graham (QLD) reported that Queensland operates a State SAR Council that meets twice yearly in July and December. As the State SAR Coordinator, Rob reported that he uses the State SAR Councils to update State stakeholders with information from the National SAR Council and collect information to use for input to the National meeting.


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Mark Walker-Roberts (SA) reported that South Australia’s State SAR Council was currently in recess. Ken Post (WA) reported that the establishment of a State SAR Council had not progressed in Western Australia but is still on the State’s SAR agenda.John Arnold (TAS) reported that the last State SAR Council meeting in Tasmania was held in September and that the Council meets regularly. John reported that Tasmania began with regional groups that worked very well, particularly with the volunteer involvement. The state then moved to establish a State SAR Council that is fed by the regional councils. Glenn Finniss (NSW) reported that New South Wales has a State Rescue Board that meets quarterly. This Board is the peak body for several groups that include the Volunteer Marine Rescue Council that meets every two months and has Police representation. There are also a number of local and district rescue committtees around the State that are chaired by Police and that meet quarterlyGeoffery Logan (NZ) reported that New Zealand has a National SAR Council that meets every two months with the next meeting to be held on 5 December. An acting SAR Secretariat Manager has been appointed. Victorian and the Northern Territory delegates both reported that there are no SAR councils established in their states.WP 29/3/4 – Distress Beacon Issues Colin Barr (AMSA) introduced a paper on distress beacon issues to inform the Council of what AMSA has been doing in advertising and public information on the 121.5 MHz phase out, what AMSA is doing internally to handle the increasing numbers of 406 MHz beacons and some of the activities that AMSA is conducting in cooperation with the States and Territories. He also discussed the mandatory carriage of 406 EPIRBs from July 2008. Colin then answered various questions of a general nature from delegates. He answered questions about the timing of the phase out and numbers of satellites in the constellation carrying 121.5 MHz packages up until the phase-out date; 406 MHz beacon registration and the fact that people who continue to carry 121.5 MHz beacons after the phase-out date will have a false sense of security and will have to rely only on the occasional aircraft hearing their distress signal. WP 29/3/5 – Incorporation of the Land Operations Manual into the National SAR ManualColin Barr (AMSA) gave a brief outline of the paper. He then outlined the agreements between AMSA, EMA and the SES. He indicated that since AMSA are not experts in land SAR, the police should lead the process of updating the Land Operations Manual and its incorporation into the National SAR Manual. Colin noted the recommendations of the paper and asked for a volunteer from the Council to lead the project. The Chair then opened the meeting for discussion on the issue and, in particular, who should lead the sub-group. Colin Barr (AMSA) indicated that the EMA sponsored Land Operations Manual has not been reviewed for quite a number of years and needs to be revisited, amended and updated under the auspices of the National SAR Council. The manual would then be incorporated into the National SAR Manual and have it included in the annual amendment cycle that is used for the National SAR Manual. It was agreed that the SES should play a major part of the process to amend and incorporate the Land Operations Manual. In this way, the SES, a major user of the manual, would continue to have input to the manual. It was also agreed that it was reasonable that Defence should also be involved in the process given their role in civil land SAR. Ken Post (WA) agreed and supported the concept that police should lead the working group. Glenn Finniss suggested that NSW may be able to take the lead but would need to concur with the


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Commander of the Rescue and Bomb Disposal squad. It was suggested that Tony Geddes (NSW) would probably be a very good candidate but would not be available until July 2006. Barry Gibson (Vic) suggested that Victor Velthuis (Vic) might also be a strong contender. He also reported that Victoria Police now has a very good relationship with the SES and would agree that they should have a major role in the amendment of the manual and its incorporation. Rob Graham suggested that the time frame for getting started with the new group should be as short as possible as the SES were waiting for something to be done. The Chair agreed. It was agreed that the first meeting should be held in January 2006 in Sydney. Geoffery Logan (NZ) indicated that they have completed amending a land SAR manual for New Zealand and would provide a copy for information. Resolution 1: Rob Graham will chair the first meeting of the working group with the view to a permanent appointment of the chairperson being made at that meeting.Resolution 2: The week of the 16th January be reserved for the first meeting of the working group in Sydney.Resolution 3: Each jurisdiction is to identify suitable police and SES/volunteer representatives and bring them to the first meeting. Rob Graham suggested that the first meeting should determine the direction to be taken with the Land Operations Manual and establish a project plan. The meeting would also determine the makeup of the Working Group for the remainder of the project with the view to reducing to a more manageable size.There was some discussion about what level of SES involvement there should be. It was agreed that each jurisdiction should seek an SES representative that has field experience and good technical knowledge of land SAR. The SES in each jurisdiction should be given the opportunity to nominate someone suitable. The Chair then referred to a letter from the DG of EMA, Attachment 1 to the paper that suggested that the SES would be represented on the National SAR Council. It was agreed that only representatives of SAR authorities should be members of the Council as they are responsible for the coordination of search and rescue. Delegates commented that there is a very good opportunity for volunteers, including SES, to become more involved through membership of the State SAR Councils. The Chair stated that he would reply to the DG EMA that only SAR Authorities would be represented as members of the National SAR Council. Action: Rob Graham to convene a meeting of State and Territory police and SES, Defence and AMSA representatives for the week of the 16th January 2006 to begin work on updating the Land Operations Manual for its eventual incorporation into the National SAR Manual. Action: Glenn Finniss (NSW) to arrange a suitable venue in Sydney. Action: AMSA to respond to DG EMA noting that there is no scope for the SES to be represented on

the National SAR Council.Action: Delegates to identify suitable police and SES representatives at the state and territory level

to attend the first meeting. Nominations should be provided to the Secretary no later than 16 December 2005.

WP 29/3/6 – SAR incident involving Jasmine Ace IIGlenn Finniss (NSW) gave an informative presentation on the SAR incident involving the Jasmine Ace II.The meeting was adjourned at 1710 to reconvene at 0830 the next day.


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Day Two – Friday, 18 November 2005

The chair opened the second day of the meeting and announced that the agenda would be changed to accommodate a number of presentations being made during the day by guest presenters. WP 29/7/2 – Standardisation of Volunteer Marine Training Requirements Glenn Finniss (NSW) outlined the paper about the standardisation of training and the national qualifications of volunteer rescue units. He indicated that there should be a national standard for the various levels of marine rescue volunteers. Most of the proposed units are already published units of competency. He highlighted that it would allow for a single training level nationally that would allow for migration of members from State to State and organisation to organisation. Ken Post (WA) suggested that, although he had no problem with the proposed concept, he would need to discuss the proposal with WA FESA before making any commitment. Rob Graham (QLD) suggested that the volunteer organisations in Queensland are trying to establish a national training forum for maritime volunteer organisations to look at standardised training based on national competencies.Barry Gibson (Vic) reported that Victoria had looked at this issue with regard to the training of the people that the Police were tasking to carry out certain tasks in search and rescue. He suggested that he would go back and discuss with the Water Police and Marine Safety Victoria and report back. The other delegates all showed a level of support for the idea of minimum national standards for training of volunteer marine rescue operatives. John Young (AMSA) suggested that this might be an issue to be raised with the NMSC who are already looking at national standards. The chair agreed that the requirements for a national standard for the boat handlers and drivers should be passed to the NMSC but those national standards for search and rescue and radio operators should be kept within the SAR Council’s control.The Chair thanked the NSW delegate for presenting the paper. All agreed that there is a need for a nationally standardised training package for VMR personnel and that the VMR groups in each State should carry this forward with the assistance of the various State SAR Councils. Action: Delegates to advance this issue through their respective State SAR Councils.Action: AMSA to raise the issue of standardised training for VMR personnel in boat handling through

the NMSC.

Item 4 – SAR Applications and InfrastructureWP 29/4/1 – Emergency Response CentreJohn Young (AMSA) briefed the delegates on the proposed Emergency Response Centre. He explained that AMSA proposes to establish an Emergency Response Centre (ERC) that will have the RCC as its core but also enable AMSA to coordinate a broader range of emergencies including pollution related and emergency towage incidents. The ERC will manage multi faceted incidents involving a number of issues such as SAR, emergency towage and pollution and involving multiple agencies. John explained that the staff of the RCC would move into the DRF facility at Mitchell in June or July next year for about two months whilst the rebuild of the RCC into the new ERC takes place. He also explained that the project includes improvements to information management which will allow the information used by the ERC to be replicated on the Website and could be used easily in the field by police centres.


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WP 29/4/6 – Titley Electronics DF Equipment PresentationA representative of the Titley Electronics company from Brisbane gave a demonstration and brief on their DF equipment. He outlined the equipment’s uses, characteristics and capabilities. He also showed the delegates the company’s Medi-Track and EPIRB trackers. WP 29/4/5 – SAT-TRAK 24 PresentationColin Barr (AMSA) introduced Ray Kelly from SAT-TRAK24. Ray then gave a presentation and web-based demonstration of the Inmarsat based tracking and monitoring system.WP 29/4/6 – Information ExchangeJohn Young (AMSA) introduced Barry Gibson (Vic) who delivered a presentation on the recent Mt Hotham search for a crashed light aircraft with three persons onboard located in difficult conditions in the snow country. John Young then discussed information exchange between AMSA and other SAR agencies. Rob Graham (QLD) suggested that it might be worthwhile to liaise with the national spatial data information group that is developing a system for the counter terrorism data exchange system. The delegates discussed various issues with John Young explaining that the project needed to look at what information needed to be exchanged and that the technology to do this and ensure compatibility. The delegates discussed at some length the feasibility of tabling a report at the next Commissioner’s Conference for consideration.It was identified from the discussion that the working group should be working towards compatibility rather than commonality.Delegates agreed the recommendations made in the paper and also agreed that the first one or two meetings of the working group should occur before the next Council meeting. Action: John Young (AMSA) to facilitate the Information Exchange Working Group by holding at least

one or two meetings during 2006 and reporting progress to the next Council meeting.WP 29/4/3 – TRACME Colin Barr (AMSA) gave a short presentation on the TRACME equipment for the information of the delegates. He highlighted the possible confusion between this and a distress beacon. The delegates then discussed the possibility of misunderstanding the value and application of the equipment. Action: AMSA will monitor advertising to ensure there is no confusing information released.WP 29/4/8 – Marine Offshore Tracking SheetsGlenn Finniss (NSW) gave a short brief on the Offshore Tracking Sheets that the NSW VMR uses in their coastal tracking system. He then asked delegates to agree that a standardised offshore tracking system (OTS) be implemented throughout Australia with a view to assisting VMR groups and SAR authorities. Rob Graham (QLD) reported that since the Just Cruisin incident Queensland has been looking at a similar tracking system. John Yong (AMSA) identified that there is no room for AMSA to operate such a system and that, although the small craft AUSREP system is still available, small craft needed to meet certain criteria. The trip undertaken needs to be of more than 200nm and/or more than 24 hours duration and the craft must be fitted with either Inmarsat satellite communications or HF DSC. The Chair noted that the concept of the VMR OTS as a standard national approach is good.


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Agenda item 6: Distress and Safety Communications WP 29/6/1 – Coast Radio Station UpdateColin Barr (AMSA) introduced this segment by providing a brief of where the National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) is going with the State and Territory based HF coast radio station network. He then asked delegates to report on the network in their jurisdictions. Ken Post (WA) reported that the Police have the responsibility of monitoring the HF Coast Radio Stations in Western Australia. An agreement with the WA Department of Planning and Infrastructure will see the level of manning increased and the Police continuing to man the Coast Radio stations.Other jurisdictions reported that there were no issues to comment on.

Agenda item 7: TrainingWP 29/7/1 – National Police SAR Managers’ CourseMark Walker-Roberts (SA) read the end of course report and noted most of the actions arising out of the report are at the facilitator level. It was suggested that a member of the Directing Staff be employed from the NT on the next course. He suggested that the incoming Course Director, SGT Adam Mack (WA) be asked to put additional administrative effort into exploring further ways of making financial savings. Rob Graham (QLD) made the point that the additional instructor from the NT has come about because the NT has had little training conducted in the Territory and this is an opportunity to increase the Territory’s training capability. Delegates agreed that the NT be invited to provide an instructor for the 2006 course. The Council offered its thanks and appreciation to SGT Wright, SGT Mack, all the instructors and the National SAR School for successfully facilitating and conducting the 2005 National Police SAR Managers Course. The Council agreed to accept the nomination of SGT Mack as the new Director of the course for 2006 and to the 2006 course being conducted from 21 August to 1 September 2006.Action: The incoming Director of Studies, SGT Mack is asked to explore ways of further reducing the

costs of the course.Action: The incoming Director of Studies, SGT Mack to invite the Northern Territory to provide an

instructor on the 2006 course.

Item 8 – Other BusinessSAR StatisticsJohn Young (AMSA) addressed the issue of SAR statistical reporting on a national basis. He noted from the reporting done during the jurisdictional reporting session that each of the delegates reported number of incidents by various methods. He suggested that the statistics were not reported as performance measures that should be expressed in terms of time to respond, success rate, etc. The real challenge is to determine what the Council needs to do its job. He pointed out that delegates had already agreed that the report of the meeting was to be passed to the NMSC and suggested that delegates needed to determine what statistics should be included to make reporting worthwhile to the NMSC. Again, he suggested that they should be performance measures rather than raw data. There is a need to find causes and effects. By this method, the national SAR statistics could be made a more important issue by the Council to demonstrate where there may be underlying problems or particular statistics could be used to support particular outcomes for a special issue. Rob Graham (QLD) reported that he had looked at the US statistics and it reflects performance measures. He suggested that statistics should be collected to reflect performance against specific roles and responsibilities with regard to certain target types. He suggested reporting against how many lives were at risk and then how many were lost, injured, saved etc.


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Issues such as double counting of incidents between jurisdictions and common definitions are areas that need to be explored. Geoffery Logan (NZ) reported that New Zealand has a national database that he suggested could be looked at by the Council. The delegates agreed that statistics should be reported by number of incidents reported against:• Environment (maritime or land),• Type (genuine distress, breakdown, bogged FWD, etc)• Outcome (fatality, rescue, injuries etc), and• Underlying cause.For each, a number of codes would be needed that could be selected. AMSA can come up with a straw man. Jurisdictions would then be asked if the statistics are collected, could be collected or could not be collected. Action: John Young to design a database and send input requirements to the jurisdictions.

Meeting CloseIn closing the meeting, David Baird summarised the highlights of the meeting that included the presentation of the National SAR Award to Paul Luckin, a person well known to all jurisdictions for his work in SAR over a number of years; the establishment of two working groups that are expected to conduct considerable work before next year’s meeting; the issue of linking into the preventative mechanisms and giving the Council more of a presence in the NMSC environment; and, likewise developing more of a presence into the Police Commissioners’ environment. David pointed out that one of the great features of this forum is the exchange of information that allows a better understanding of how each of the jurisdictions works. David then paid particular thanks to the hosts, the Queensland Police and in particular Rob Graham and his staff. He then invited delegates to attend the next meeting on 16 and 17 November 2006 in Sydney.


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NATSARCON 29/1/114 November 2005

Originator: Secretariat

AgendaItem 1 - Approval of Agenda WP 29/1/1 (Secretariat) Provisional Agenda. Call for additional items for discussion.

Item 2 - Secretary’s Report WP 29/2/1 (Secretariat) – For Agreement Secretary’s report.

Item 3 - SAR Operations WP 29/3/1 (Jurisdictions) – Report of Incidents – For Information Delegates are to provide a brief summary of incidents from the preceding financial year to the

Council against the categories listed in the SAR Plan (Appendix B). Briefs should include a note that could be included with the minutes of the meeting and should also include a description of the definitions that have been used. Jurisdictions can take this opportunity to report briefly on other operational issues.

WP 29/3/2 (Secretariat) – National SAR Manual amendments. – For Agreement Amendments List 2 submitted for approval of Council. WP 29/3/3 (Jurisdictions) – State SAR Councils – For Discussion States that have convened jurisdictional SAR Councils to report on meetings held. WP 29/3/4 (AMSA) – Distress Beacons Issues – Update – For Discussion The major distress beacon issues revolve around the cessation of 121.5 MHz satellite-alerting

services and the growth of 406 MHz beacons as the obvious 121.5 MHz replacement. WP 29/3/5 (AMSA) – Land Search Operations Manual– For Information The paper provides an update on the incorporation of the Land Operations Manual into the

National SAR Manual. WP 29/3/6 (NSW) – SAR incident involving the JASMINE ACE II – For Information The paper provides background for a presentation to be given by the NSW delegate about the

SAR incident involving the JASMINE ACE II that occurred off the NSW coast on 5 April 2005.

Item 4 - SAR Applications and Infrastructure WP 29/4/1 (AMSA) – Emergency Response Centre – For Information In the FY 04-05 Budget the Federal Government announced a decision to provide additional

funds to AMSA to improve communications and coordination between AMSA and other SAR agencies, including state and territory police. It includes capital funding for improved communications equipment and upgrading of AMSA’s facilities. This paper is to provide an overview of the project - titled “AMSA Emergency Response Centre (ERC)” - and its linkage to the On-Line Incident project briefed at previous meetings.

WP 29/4/2 (AMSA) – New Developments in AMSA’s Search and Rescue Program – For Information

AMSA has entered into a contract with AeroRescue, a member of the Paspaley group of companies to provide an SRU capability in Darwin from 1 February 2005. In addition, AMSA is evaluating tenders from companies seeking to provide up to five additional dedicated aircraft similar to the Dornier in Darwin.

Appendix 1 To Report of Proceedings


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WP 29/4/3 (AMSA) – TRACME – For Discussion TRACME is a system developed by a Victorian company to assist with the location of missing persons. The paper describes the system and seeks jurisdiction’s views on the system and its uses.

WP 29/4/4 (WA) – SARMAP – For Discussion WA has been trialling a version of ASA’s SARMAP search and rescue planning tool. The paper

provides an update on the introduction of the system and a representative of ASA and Frank Raab (WA Police) will be presenting a brief on the system for the information of Council members.

WP 29/4/5 (AMSA) –SAR-TRAK24 - Presentation AMSA has been approached by a West Australian company, Sat TRACK24 with a new

satellite tracking system with a request to demonstrate the system to the SAR Council. Ray Kelly from Sat TRAK24 will give a 30 minute presentation to the Council. The Sat TRACK24 company is one of the growing number of companies offering satellite tracking at sea and on land in Australia. This is an opportunity to see where this technology is going and what impact it may have on the SAR system.

WP 29/4/6 (QLD) –Titley Electronics - Presentation Titley Electronics has been providing DF equipment to SAR authorities for many years.

Mr James Young has offered to give a short presentation on Titley Electronics DF equipment and new innovations that the company is involved with.

WP 29/4/7 (AMSA) –Information Exchange The Council at the last meeting requested AMSA to take the lead in investigating systems for

exchange of operational information between jurisdictions. This paper reports on the issues.

WP 29/4/8 (NSW) – Marine Offshore Tracking Sheets Standardised Offshore Tracking Sheets (OTS) should assist SAR authorities in locating

transiting vessels.

Item 5 - Council Administration WP 29/5/1 (Secretariat) – SAR Council Web site – For Information Secretary is to provide an update on the development and maintenance of the Council’s Web

site.

Item 6 - Distress and Safety Communications WP 29/6/1 (Jurisdictions) – Coast Radio Station Update – For Discussion Delegates are asked to report any matters of interest and performance of the Coast Radio

stations in their jurisdictions.

Item 7 - Training WP 29/7/1 (SA) – National Police SAR Managers Course – For Information The 16th National Police SAR Managers Course was held in Canberra in mid 2005. The

director of studies will present a short report on the outcomes of the course. This will also provide an opportunity for the Council to discuss the running of the 17th course in 2006.

WP 29/7/2 (NSW) – Standardised national training for maritime volunteers – For agreement This paper seeks the Council’s agreement to pursue national standardised training for

Volunteer Marine Rescue Units.

Item 8 - Other Business


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The 28th meeting of the National SAR Council was held in Hobart from 18 –19 November 2004

Action items arising from the report of the 28th Conference:

National SAR StatisticsAction Item: AMSA agreed to draw up terms of reference for the Amendments Sub-committee of the

Council to investigate statistical reporting by jurisdictions.

The Amendments Sub-committee was to: • Determine an initial set of statistics for the jurisdictions to collect against for the 05/06

Financial Year; and • Report to the 2005 Council meeting on their findings.

Little or no action has been taken on this issue. This subject will be covered further at the 29th meeting.

National SAR Manual AmendmentsAction Item: ADF to confirm changes proposed. The ADF representative will report at 29th meeting.

State SAR CouncilsAction Item: Queensland and Tasmanian representatives to provide Western Australian

representative with the Terms of Reference (TOR) used by their State SAR Councils.

Representatives will report on their action at the 29th meeting.

SAR Council WebsiteAction: Secretary to amend the Home Page of the Website to include information about the IGA.

The Website has been updated to reflect more information about the IGA on the home page.

National Police SAR Managers CourseThis course was successfully completed during August 2005 and the South Australian representative is presenting a full report to the Council at the 29th meeting.

Diving MOUAction: The Victorian representative was to organise the compilation of lists of diving personnel

and equipment maintained by each of the Police jurisdictions for publishing on the Internet.

The lists have been published within the Members’ section of the National SAR Council Website and Victoria is to nominate a single point of contact to ensure the integrity of the lists is maintained. The secretary has offered to update the lists as required and suggests the lists be reviewed at least quarterly.

NATSARCON 29/2/1 19 October 2005


SECRETARY’S REPORT


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Land Search Operations ManualAction Item: Secretary to take up issue of incorporation of Land Search Operations Manual into the

National SAR Manual with EMA and approach the National Council of the SES.

Done. EMA and the chairman of the National Council of the SES were approached and, with their agreement, the secretariat approached Mr Rick Stone, the Chair of the SES training Managers Group. Mr Stone agreed that having the Land Operations Manual under the banner of the National SAR Council was a good move and welcomed the opportunity to work with the Council on this matter. The way ahead appears to be the granting of several places on the SAR Manual Amendments committee to SES personnel and the eventual incorporation of the Land Ops Manual into the National SAR Manual.

This issue is the subject of a short paper for tabling at the 29th meeting.

SARTRACKAt the 28th meeting, the Council agreed that a working group should be established to evaluate what GIS and other associated systems Police are developing and introducing and to recommend measures to ensure compatibility between systems to allow for easier display of information from systems such as the GEMS NWM system.

Following a presentation on Electronic Search Incident Management by Barry Gibson at the last meeting, John Young suggested that the working group being formed take note of the issues raised in the presentation. He further suggested the following TOR for the working group.

Purpose: The purpose of the Working Group is to facilitate the exchange of information between SAR authorities so as to produce a common operational picture available to SAR participants.

Tasks: The Working Group should examine relevant communications and geospatial technologies and initiatives already underway in the various jurisdictions, and make recommendations to the National SAR Council on respective measures.

Action: Delegates to nominate representatives to the secretary by 3 December to join an Information Working Group to look at methods of exchanging information between SAR authorities.

Action: John Young to take the lead role and distribute proposed TOR with the aim of the Working Group reporting to the 2005 Council meeting.

AMSA has not been in a position to progress this issue as intended for most of the year. A draft TOR document was circulated for comment in September. Most jurisdictions have responded and provided current nominations.

An alternative opportunity arising from the concurrency of an operational debrief and the availability of some instructors from the National Police SAR Course was seized in August. Outcomes will be included in a separate report to the 2005 Council Meeting.

ReportingAction: Secretary to raise report and executive summary for consideration of the Police

Commissioners Forum and for the information of the Police Ministers Forum.

The secretary raised a report and had it tabled at he Police Commissioners Forum for consideration. The executive summary was passed to the secretariat of the Police Ministers Forum for the Ministers’ information


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SUMMARYExecutive Summary: The Amendments subcommittee has proposed five

amendments to the National SAR Manual. In addition, Defence have been asked to propose a further amendment to Appendix B to make it consistent with Chapter 1. These amendments are presented for the Council’s approval.

Action to be taken: For action

Introduction

1. The Amendments subcommittee to the National SAR Council uses an Internet forum on the Council website to propose amendments to the National SAR Manual. A major amendment to the manual was approved last year to reflect changes brought about by the signing of the Inter Governmental Agreement by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers responsible for Search and Rescue.

2. It was not expected that any substantial changes would be needed to the Manual in 2005 and as a result there are only four issues to be discussed in this paper.

3. The National SAR School has proposed the addition of two new graphs to be included in Appendix K.

4. Defence has proposed four minor amendments to the Manual during the year. It is the recommendation of the Amendments subcommittee that the Council approve the changes to the Manual as described below.

5. The third issue relates to an inconsistency that was noticed in the lead up to the 2004 Council meeting involving the descriptions of the Royal Australian Navy’s responsibilities as described in Chapter 1 and as described in Appendix B.

6. The final issue relates to a late proposal to make EMA’s and the State/Territories’ roles clearer.

Addition of graphs to Appendix K7. The National SAR School has proposed that two new tables be included in Appendix K to the

National SAR Manual. The tables deal with the allocation of maritime assets and the computation of search areas for maritime assets. The suggestion was also made that the Worksheets be regrouped by environment but this has not been accepted as many people are very used to referring to the various tables by their numbers and any renumbering could lead to confusion. The tables would be very useful for Police when planning an inshore maritime search with a number of assets available.

Minor amendments to the National SAR Manual8. Defence has proposed a total of four minor amendments.

9. The first relates to the text in Chapter 1 that refers to civil requests for military assistance. A change of policy has resulted in the National SAR Manual now being the authority for providing SAR assistance by on scene commanders. Therefore the reference to Defence Instruction DI(G) OPS 05-1, Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC) as the authority for on scene commanders rendering assistance to SAR authorities needs to be removed.

10. Another amendment deals with references to height of eye versus horizontal range tables in Para 5.8.33. An incorrect reference is made and it should be corrected as noted in the amendment list under recommendations below.

NATSARCON 29/3/2 4 November 2005 Originator: AMSA

National Search and Rescue Manual Amendments


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11. The final two amendments proposed by Defence deal with the deletion of the term OMEGA in Para 5.4.17 as this system is no longer in service; and the types of ADF aircraft that are on SAR standby at RAAF bases as noted in Para 5.8.27. The latter is to clarify that there is normally only one aircraft on standby at any one time. The proposed amendments are listed below.

Inconsistency between Chapter 1 and Appendix B12. The final amendment that the Council is requested to approve will remove an inconsistency between

the text of Chapter 1 and the text in Appendix B. As part of the rewrite resulting from the IGA determinations, the references to Defence responsibilities in Chapter 1 were updated but not all the references in Appendix B were. In particular, the text in Chapter 1, section 1.1.12 states that the Navy is the SAR authority for ADF and visiting military ships, submarines and ship-borne aircraft. In Appendix B, the text states that the Navy is the overall coordinator in respect of RAN and foreign military ships and submarines and ship borne aircraft. To remove the inconsistency, Appendix B should be amended to read “in respect of ADF and foreign military ships and ...”

Emergency Management Australia13. Chapter 1 lists the Commonwealth departments that have a special interest in emergency

operations. Currently, there is a section on Emergency Management Australia (EMA) that looks only at EMA’s coordination role in the case of emergencies. The proposed amendment below expands the reference to include the fact that States and Territories of Australia have the constitutional responsibility for coordinating and planning for response to a natural or technological emergency., whilst EMA is the agency responsible for coordinating any Commonwealth assistance.

Recommendations14. Council members are requested to approve the following amendments to the National SAR Manual:

Reference Amendment

Appendix B Amend reference to RAN responsibilities to read: “In respect of ADF and foreign military ships and submarines...”

Appendix K Addition of two new tables for allocating maritime search assets and for computing search areas for those assets.

Para 1.3.50 Delete the last sentence of the paragraph referring to Defence Instruction DI (G) OPS 05-1 as the authority for the conduct of SAR by local commanders.

Para 5.8.33 The last sentence should be replaced with: “Tables I-3 and I-4 provide uncorrected visual sweep widths for visual search over water at eye heights of eight and fourteen feet and from the height of a merchantman’s bridge.

Para 5.4.17 Delete the term “OMEGA”.

Para 5.8.27 Amend the paragraph to read: “Aircraft on SAR standby at RAAF bases are a Hercules at RICHMOND or an Orion at

EDINBURGH. The standby role can be transferred from one base to the other at short notice due to operational or maintenance requirements.”

Para 1.1.23 Amend the paragraph to read: “Emergency Management Austrlaia (EMA) is the agency responsible for coordinating

Commonwealth assistance to States/Territories following natural or technological disaster. Coordination of disaster and emergency response is carried out at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Canberra.”

Add new paragraph 1.1.24 and renumber subsequent paragraphs: “State/Territory Governments have constitutional responsibility, within their borders, for

coordinating and planning for the response to natural or technological disasters and civil emergencies. When the total resources (government, community and commercial) of an affected State/Territory cannot reasonably cope with the needs of the situation, the State/Territory Government can seek assistance from the Commonwealth Government.”


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SUMMARY

Executive Summary: The major distress beacon issues revolve around the cessation of 121.5 MHz satellite-alerting services and the growth of 406 MHz beacons as the obvious 121.5 MHz replacements.

Action to be taken: For information.

Related Documents: Nil

NATSARCON 29/3/4 26 October 2005 Originator: AMSA

Distress Beacon Issues - Update

Introduction

1. The following information on preparations by Australia for the cessation of 121.5 MHz satellite alerting is provided for the information of the Council.

2. 121.5 MHz satellite alerting will cease on 1 February 2009. On this day the ground receiving stations for 121.5 MHz satellite alerts will be switched off. The 1 February 2009 date was chosen as the date when the number of satellites in the system carrying 121.5 MHz receivers goes below the optimum for providing reasonable response times to distress beacon alerts.

3. This paper not only outlines steps being taken by Australia to educate the public on the issue but also looks at advances in the support of 406 MHz distress beacons, the natural replacement for 121.5 MHz beacons.

4. In particular, AMSA has developed a Web-based 406 MHz beacon and MMSI registration database that is planned to allow online registration from mid-2006. The ability for beacon owners to register their beacons online will hopefully mean a substantial reduction in the administration required to maintain the registration database.

Information CampaignAMSA’s communication strategyDirect mail

5. An Australia-wide direct mail program commenced in March 2004. This mail-out was achieved in conjunction with the Australian States and Territories and saw every registered boat owner in Australia receive a brochure-sized postcard advising them of the 1 February 2009 cessation of 121.5 MHz satellite-alerting services.

6. The postcard was direct mailed to some 725,000 boat owners when they received their annual boat registration renewal notice. The mail out took 12 months to complete and was the first of two planned national distributions. The second mail out is scheduled to take place from the beginning of 2006. A revised brochure is being developed that will include the switch to 406 message and emphasise the importance of registration for all 406MHz beacons.


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News and Lifestyle Media

7. The news media has already proven to be a valuable resource for the dissemination of information on 406 MHz distress beacons. The cessation date and benefits of 406 MHz have featured on nationally syndicated outdoors and fishing television programs. It is envisaged that a more proactive television and radio campaign will be implemented through 2006 to saturate key audiences with information advising of the 1 February 2009 cessation date.

8. Additionally, AMSA has arranged for links to its website and the beacons website to be incorporated into the Bureau of Meteorology website within the maritime section which is heavily accessed by the boating public.

Magazine and Boating Handbook Advertising and Editorial

9. AMSA has continued to advertise heavily in the main maritime, aviation and outdoors magazines as well as the boating safety handbooks and guides (such as Tide Tables) produced by the State maritime authorities. The combined circulation of the journals in which AMSA has advertised is about one million people per annum. AMSA aims to advertise in all the major publications at least once per annum.

10. As well as the generic advertising material, AMSA has also produced a specific version for outdoors magazines that promotes the use of PLBs by four-wheel drivers and bushwalkers. See below for a copy of each of the current advertisements.

Boat and Air Shows

11. AMSA attends four boat shows per year and one air show every two years. The combined attendance at these shows is in excess of 350,000 people. This year AMSA attended the Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and Perth boat shows. In an effort to ascertain how effective the communications campaign has been to date, AMSA conducted a survey of boat show attendees. The incentive for completion of the survey forms was the opportunity to win a new 406MHz digital beacon. Both GME and Pains Wessex kindly donated four EPIRBs each. Survey results indicated that a large proportion of boat owners were aware of the phase out of 121.5MHz beacons, though some did not have detailed information. Most information received by boat owners was via boating and fishing magazine advertising. AMSA also produced a series of Fact Sheets for the 2005 boat show season, giving detailed information on the campaign. These were very well received with substantial follow up requests for additional supplies at the completion of the show season. The Fact Sheets are also available on the AMSA website.


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Point of Sale Material

12. AMSA has produced a range of `giveaway’ materials that incorporate a 121.5 phase out message. These products include a trip planning fridge magnets for boat and aircraft operators that enable the owner to leave behind intended voyage/flight details and other information that may assist in a SAR situation. (Maritime version shown below).

13. AMSA has also produced a computer mouse-mat recommending that people check a number of websites (for information on the weather etc) prior to commencing a voyage/flight that also contains a 406 message. The authority has also produced products that carry the Switch to 406MHz reminder such as floating key rings.

14. AMSA has also produced in conjunction with the States, a ninety-minute DVD titled Safer Recreational Boating that contains a segment on distress beacons and promotes the February 2009 cessation date of 121.5 MHz satellite monitoring.

15. Since its introduction, AMSA has distributed some 15,000 copies of the DVD. Most states have or are in the process of having the DVD adjusted for their respective jurisdictions. To date Victoria has distributed 18,000 copies and is doing another copy run of 20,000. New South Wales has distributed 3,000 and is looking at doing another run of the same size. Both Western Australia and Queensland are in the process of modifying the DVD for their jurisdictions and South Australia, having just completed their modification, is doing an initial run of 20,000 copies. New Zealand has also sought to modify the DVD for their boating public.


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Website Activity

16. AMSA’s dedicated recreational boating website located at: http://www.safeboating.org.au/ went online on 1 June 2003. The `safe boating’ website includes a section on distress beacons that promotes 406 MHz beacons and the February 2009 change date.

17. An expanded and improved website promoting 406 MHz beacons and the 2009 change date is linked from the current AMSA presence on the Internet (www.amsa.gov.au) and is hosted at (copy of screen below) http://beacons.amsa.gov.au.

18. The Beacons website is being redeveloped to include on-line beacon registration. Owners of beacons will have password-protected access to their individual accounts similar to the proposed International Beacon Registration Database (IBRD). The updated Website and online registration facility is expected to be available from mid 2006.

Promotion of Beacon Technologies

19. AMSA has been very active in promoting changes to technology and specifications for distress beacons. It has been realised that the specifications for beacons can be refined without undue reductions in levels of safety, reliability and accuracy of the distress beacons.

20. Fortunately for the Australian beacon using community two Australian beacon manufacturers, GME and KTI have been able to produce lower cost 406 MHz beacons that comply with the existing Cospas-Sarsat specification. This is a positive initiative in seeking a replacement for the 121.5 MHz beacon. These Australian manufactured beacons are retailing in Australia for about $550.00 and are being very well received.


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406 MHz Registration Database

21. Australia has developed a Web based registration database that is being trialled on the AMSA Intranet before going live on the Internet in 2006. The registration database has been populated with historical data from the previous in-house database and a database manager has been appointed. New beacons are being registered at an increasing rate, with around 300 beacons currently being registered a month. The number of non-Defence 406 MHz distress beacons registered from the beginning of data collection in 1992 to May 2004 was doubled in the year May 2004 to May 2005. This trend is continuing and shows no sign of abating prior to 2009. AMSA estimates there are 180,000 to 200,000 121.5 MHz beacons in use in Australia and most of these are expected to be upgraded to 406 MHz beacons before the switch off date of 1 February 2009.

22. Initiatives by several organisations such as Yachting Australia, who require any yacht in a category 1 or 2 offshore race to carry a 406 MHz EPIRB as well as all crew carrying PLBs, has meant an increase in the registrations of beacons.

23. Based upon the current estimate of 180,000 121.5 MHz beacons in operation, there may be a need to register more than another 150,000 beacons by February 2009. This represents about 40,000 beacons per annum or 160 beacons per working day. Once over this transfer “hump” the rate is expected to settle to a more manageable “steady” state.

24. To assist the States and Territories to regulate for both carriage and registration of 406 MHz EPIRBs, AMSA will introduce a “proof of registration” system where owners will be provided with a sticker to be affixed to beacons to provide evidence of registration. This will make it much easier for boating officers and police to check that a beacon is registered with AMSA. State and Territory marine regulations are expected to be in force at least six months before the cessation of satellite monitoring of 121.5 MHz alerts.

25. The graph below demonstrates the effect that several initiatives have had on the numbers of 406 MHz distress beacons being registered by AMSA. The initial registrations from inception of the database in 1992 to April 2000 are predominantly airline ELTs and SOLAS vessel EPIRBs and PLBs purchased by larger organisations. There were very few beacons registered by private recreational users. The increase from April 2000 corresponds with the major change over from 121.5 MHz to 406 MHz EPIRBs and ELTs by the Australian Defence Department. Defence procurement reduced significantly in 2002 but the rate of registrations overall continued. It was about this time that AMSA began its changeover campaign in earnest. The major upturn of registrations in May 2004 corresponds directly with the introduction of the GME lower cost MT400 406 MHz model beacon that demonstrates that low cost beacons are having an impact on the market.

10000900080007000600050004000300020001000

0Apr 92 Apr 93 Apr 94 Apr 95 Apr 96 Apr 97 Apr 98 Apr 99 Apr 00 Apr 01 Apr 02 Apr 03 Apr 04 Apr 05

Num

ber o

f Reg

istra

tions

Cumulative Registrations

GME MT400Defence beaconsTotal beacons


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26. Australia expects this trend to continue until the vast majority of 121.5 MHz beacons are replaced with 406 MHz beacons. The ADF are planning a major procurement of 406 MHz PLBs to meet Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) requirements and many government, public and private organisations are finding it a requirement under their OH&S policies to invest in 406 MHz PLBs for staff operating in the remote areas of Australia. For instance, Defence is planning a procurement of about 2,500 PLBs to satisfy the recommendations from the investigation into the loss of a sailor overboard from HMAS CANBERRA in May 2002.

Transition Plan

Solas/GMDSS/Navigation Act

27. Australian SOLAS vessels are already required to carry 406 MHz EPIRBs but, under Australian regulations, are required to carry a 121.5 MHz EPIRB in life rafts. These regulations will be amended to mandate carriage of 406 MHz Class 1, 2 or 3 EPIRBs in life rafts as appropriate. For vessels with 1 to 3 life rafts, the requirement will be for a beacon in each but vessels such as Bass Strait ferries that carry more than 4 life rafts will only be required to carry beacons in one in four rafts.

Civil Aviation

28. The Australian Commonwealth Government regulates for civil aircraft. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) proposes to mandate the carriage of 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) in all aircraft from 2008. CASA currently calls up the Australian Standard for Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) as an alternative to fixed ELTs and is expected to call up the 406 MHz PLB Standard as an alternative to 121.5 MHz PLBs.

State and Territory Regulations

29. The Australia States and Northern Territory administrations are responsible for regulating small craft. The State and Northern Territory governments already mandate the carriage of EPIRBs for vessels outside smooth and partially smooth waters and more than 2 nautical miles from land. The States and Northern Territory have indicated that they will be amending their regulations to mandate the carriage of 406 MHz EPIRBs from 1 July 2008. They are also looking at mandating the registration of EPIRBs with AMSA.

30. AMSA has begun the process of having the current Australian Standard for 121.5 MHz EPIRBs and PLBs amended to include the requirement for all 121.5 MHz beacons manufactured after a date earlier than the cessation date but yet to be determined to have a sticker affixed that warns the consumer that the beacon will no longer be compatible with the satellite system from 1 February 2009.

Recommendations

31. Council members are asked to note the issues above, in particular the introduction of the proof of registration sticker that should make enforcement of registration easier.


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SUMMARYExecutive Summary: This paper discusses the way ahead for incorporating the

EMA sponsored Land Operations Manual into the National SAR Manual.

Action to be taken: For Action


NATSARCON 29/3/5 9 November 2005 Originator: AMSA

Incorporation of Land Operations Manual into the National SAR Manual

Introduction

1. The issue of incorporating the Land Search Operations Manual (LSOM) into the National SAR Manual has been the subject of National SAR Council consideration for some time. In 2003 the Council agreed that the EMA should be approached again to bring the LSOM under the National SAR Manual. At the same meeting the issue of SES involvement in the Council was raised and the members agreed that, because the SES is not a SAR Authority, it could not be invited to be a member of the Council. It was agreed that the SES should be represented on the National SAR Manual Amendments Group and that the LSOM be incorporated into the National SAR Manual.

2. Little progress was made on this issue through 2004 and at last year’s Council meeting; members again agreed that the issue should be pursued with EMA and the SES. AMSA again approached the EMA who raised the issue with the SES executive. Liaison between AMSA and the Chairman of the SES National Training Managers’ Group was agreed and undertaken.

EMA and SES reaction

3. AMSA approached EMA to discuss the issue and reach some agreement. The National Council of the SES was advised of AMSA’s proposal and the National Training Managers Group of the SES considered the proposal in September 2005. Advice from the chairman of that Group indicated agreement in principle but with a request for assurances that the SES would continue to have input into the consideration of land SAR operations procedures and that the procedures would be considered with SES training objectives kept in mind.

4. It was made clear to EMA and the SES that the SES would not be considered as members of the National Search and Rescue Council.

5. As part of the proposal, several positions were offered to the SES on the National SAR Manual Amendments Group. The SES would also be offered positions on any sub committee looking at the incorporation of the LSOM into the National SAR Manual.

6. Most States and Territories have or are planning to implement State SAR Councils and these and the SES representation on the Amendments subcommittee should present more than enough avenues for the SES and other volunteers to have input to the SAR Council and receive feedback.


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Proposed Way Ahead

7. The LSOM is overdue for amendment and review. AMSA proposes that a working group drawn from members of the Amendments Group be formed to look at bringing the LSOM up to date. The SES would be offered positions on this working group. The review and amendment of the Manual would provide a far better guide for operatives in the field and provide a better starting place from which to incorporate it into the National SAR Manual.

8. After completing the amendment of the Land Operations Manual, the working group would continue with a review of how best to incorporate it into the National SAR Manual and provide a program to do so. Any review and amendment of the LSOM as proposed in the previous paragraph should be conducted with the aim of incorporation into the National SAR Manual firmly in mind.

9. The Police Services have responsibility for the conduct and coordination of civil land SAR operations. As such, they should take the lead on this issue. Any working group raised to consider the LSOM and its incorporation into the National SAR Manual should be chaired by a Police SAR Officer with land SAR operations experience.

Recommendations

10. AMSA recommends that:

• a working group comprising selected members from the Amendments Group be formed to review and amend the LSOM;

• the Working Group be chaired by a Police SAR officer with land SAR operations experience.

• Council members provide nominations for the working group prior to the Council meeting in Brisbane and decide on the composition of Group at the meeting;

• the Council decides on the composition of the Working Group and that the SES be invited to fill allocated positions on the working group; and

• once the working group has completed the task of amending the LSOM, it be given the task to review the best way to incorporate the information from the LSOM into the National SAR Manual.

Attachments

1. EMA letter in reply to AMS letter requesting incorporation of Land Operations Manual into National SAR Manual dated 4 November 2005.

2. Email from Rick Stone of 3 November 2005 providing SES comments on Council paper.


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Attachment 1 to NATSARCON 29/3/5


28


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From: Rick Stone [mailto:[email protected]]Sent: Thursday, 3 November 2005 11:41To: Langlands, Steve

Subject: RE: 29_3_5 Land Operations and National SAR Manual

G’day Steve,

Thanks for sending this document for comment. As discussed, the SESNational Education and Training Committee (NETC) agreed in principle tocombining the land SAR material currently managed by EMA into the NATSARManual, managed by AMSA.NETC is keen to ensure that national doctrine is consistent and bestpractice. NETC also recognises that Police are the lead agency in landSAR in Australia and that SES provides a support role. NETC noted thatrequests from Police to assist in searches for missing persons andforensic searches are increasing in all jurisdictions and welcomed thechance to build stronger and closer relationships.I am sure my colleagues will welcome the chance to actively participatein each State SAR Council and the national Amendments Group.While there remain a number of details to finalise, the proposal in yourpaper lays a strong foundation for ensuring that the SAR community canwork from a current, consistent knowledge base.I have copied my NETC and EMA colleagues on this email for theirinformation.Please ring me at anytime to discuss this proposal further.

Rick StoneManager, Learning and Development

Attachment 2 to NATSARCON 29/3/5


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SUMMARYExecutive Summary: Coordination of SAR incident 80 nautical miles N/E of Port

Macquarie, NSW involving the vehicle transport ship the Jasmine Ace 2. NSW Police/ AusSAR Coordination.

Action to be taken: For discussion

Related Documents: PowerPoint Presentation

NATSARCON 29/3/6 3 November 2005

Originator: NSW

SAR Incident Involving the Jasmine Ace 2

Introduction

1. At 1850hrs on the 2 April 2005 information was received from AusSAR that the vessel Jasmine Ace 2 had requested assistance in the undertaking of a medivac of two crewmembers with head injuries. At 1945hrs AusSAR advised that they had directed the ship to head towards Forster.

2. At 2022hrs NSW Police were advised that the injuries were as a result of an onboard fight and the Captain sustained head injuries, which were still bleeding and the First Officer had a cut nose. It was not known if the fighting onboard was still occurring or the level of violence which was presented.

3. AusSAR had arranged helicopter transport “Chopper One” from the RAAF base Williamtown. At 2055 hrs AusSAR identified the vessel as the Jasmine Ace 2 from Hong Kong with Chinese crew on route from Melbourne to Japan. It advised that two persons had attacked the Captain.

4. 2215 hrs AusSAR were advised that NSW Police were deploying their Marine Operational Support Team with the intent of taking control of the ship prior to any medical intervention. The question of what had occurred onboard and the safety of any medical retrieval team boarding the vessel was in the minds of Police.

5. The purpose of this presentation is to provide the basic sequence of events of the night, to highlight some of the decisions made in relation to the incident and problems/ issues experienced, including who had carriage of the coordination of the incident.

Recommendation

6. The presentation is given for the information of the Council and for reflection in the event of any future similar incident occurring.


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Originator: AMSA

Emergency Response Centre

SUMMARYExecutive Summary: A progress report on plans to develop an Emergency

Response Centre for AMSA.

Action to be taken: For information

Related Documents: Paper 28/4/1

Introduction

1. Paper 28/4/1 advised the Council of plans arising from the FY 04-05 Budget approval of funds to enhance AMSA’s search and rescue coordination capability. The funding includes provision to improve communication and coordination between AMSA and other search and rescue participants throughout Australia, including state and territory police. It also includes capital funding for improved communication equipment and upgrading of AMSA’s facilities.

2. The ERC project will implement both the Government approval for a new RCC and AMSA’s own requirements for a single centre to integrate all emergency response operations. The latter includes the integration of pollution response, SAR and emergency towage arrangements.

Discussion

3. The objectives of the ERC program remain largely unchanged from those briefed at the 2004 meeting. Progress during 2005 has been slower than anticipated, mainly due to resource constraints inside both AMSA and its contractors.

• AMSA has decided to create the new ERC within the floor space of the existing RCC in Canberra, and has extended its lease on the current building;

• Noting that a temporary RCC and associated systems will be required during the refit of the existing RCC (to create the new ERC), AMSA will create the temporary centre off-site (at Mitchell, ACT) and retain the premises afterwards as a Disaster Recovery Facility (DRF) to be used in the event of losing access to its Canberra building. This building has been leased, and it is anticipated that requests for tender for the centre fitout will be released in mid-November;

• Specifications for upgraded redundancy and handling of telephony (through integration with RCC computer systems) have been completed and requests for tenders for suitable PABX and services have been issued; and

• RCC software upgrades intended to improve communications with other SAR participants; particularly On-Line Incident and Intelligence modules of the AusSAR system have been approved.


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4. The future schedule for the ERC program is expected to be:

• By end March 2006: Complete DRF fitout ready for AMSA occupation;

• By end May 2006: Install AMSA DRF systems at DRF and complete operational testing of the DRF RCC;

• June-July 2006: Switch SAR operations and staff to the DRF RCC;

• August 2006: Commission the new ERC re-occupy;

• September 2006: The next release of RCC systems that will create an infrastructure for ERC improvements will go live;

• Later 2006 & 2007: Progressive software developments will continue.

Recommendations

5. The Council might note progress with AMSA’s ongoing ERC Program.


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Originator: AMSA

New Developments in AMSA’s Search and Rescue Program

SUMMARYExecutive Summary: AMSA has let a contract to AeroRescue to provide a dedicated

SAR aircraft to operate from Darwin. In addition, AMSA is evaluating tenders from companies seeking to provide four other similar aircraft to be deployed around Australia.

Action to be taken: For information Related Documents: Nil

Introduction1. Over the last few years, AMSA has faced a number of changes in the aviation environment that have

impacted on the Authority’s ability to maintain effective SAR services. These changes required the Authority to examine its SAR asset availability, capability and coverage with a view to ensuring the continuation of effective SAR services over the next decade.

2. As a consequence, AMSA approached Government and received funding to enable the procurement of services to provide dedicated SAR aircraft. The first stage has been completed with a Dornier aircraft operated by AeroRescue commencing operations out of Darwin in October 2005. Tenders are being evaluated from companies seeking to provide a further four similar aircraft for deployment around Australia.

Discussion3. The changing aviation environment has led to aircraft operators transitioning to more modern

aircraft that are unsuitable for opportunity drop operations. The current aircraft contracted for SAR are typically ageing small twin piston engine aircraft, with highly constrained space and payloads. In addition, there is a growing difficulty in obtaining FLIR and Radar capable aircraft from Defence and Coastwatch and general aviation operators are becoming increasingly reluctant to contract to conduct SAR operations on an opportunity basis. This has led to gaps in coverage around Australia and an inability to fit advanced SAR equipment or undertake on-scene coordination functions with the current aircraft. CASA’s regulatory reform program may also impact on the provision of SAR operations by aircraft of opportunity.

4. AMSA therefore decided to approach Government for funding to procure dedicated and well equipped SAR assets and have successfully contracted AeroRescue, a company within the Paspaley group of companies, to provide a dedicated aircraft based in Darwin. The Dornier aircraft, fitted with modern Radar, FLIR and command and control systems, entered service in October 2005.

5. Further funding was secured for another four aircraft to be operated from bases around Australia thereby improving the coverage of assets and SAR response times. A tender evaluation is currently underway to determine who will provide the new services.

6. These aircraft are likely to be available for Police SAR operations and can be requested through the RCC. While the aircraft may be released, it would remain under AMSA control and invoicing and AMSA will probably seek to recover hourly rate costs from users.

Recommendations7. Council members are asked to note the paper for information.


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NATSARCON 29/3/4 26 October 2005 Originator: AMSA

TRACME Beacon System

SUMMARYExecutive Summary: TRACME is a system developed by a Victorian company to

assist with the location of missing persons.

Action to be taken: For discussion

Related Documents: www.tracme.com.au

Introduction

1. TRACME is a personal locator beacon that operates on a UHF frequency in the land citizen band. A company based in Victoria has developed the beacon system. They have approached the Victorian Police for assistance with developing their end-to-end system.

2. AMSA does not endorse this product and has some concerns about its use and the way it is being presented to the public. It is being presented to members of the Council to make them aware of the issues. The Victorian Police are believed to have been involved in some trials conducted with the Victorian SES.

3. The type of people that would be attracted to this product are most likely to come under the authority of the State and Territory Police in the event of a SAR resulting from an activation of a beacon.

Discussion

4. The TRACME beacon is designed to operate in the UHF citizen band (CB) of frequencies. The user manually operates the beacon when he or she becomes lost but the SAR system is only activated when that person is reported as missing. There is no other alerting process involved.

5. The company claims that SAR costs would be lower as there are no broad area searches required. They also claim that only one fixed wing aircraft and a DF unit on the ground is required to locate the beacon once authorities have been alerted to the missing person.

Some concerns include:

• the real potential for confusion with people purchasing this system that is a location device instead of real distress beacons and having a false confidence in a system that does not achieve SAR alerting;

• the frequency is not normally monitored;

• a very limited number of aircraft are fitted to DF this frequency (476.525MHz); and

• some of the claims on the web site are questionable.

Recommendations

6. That council members take note of this issue and the potential for police involvement in searches resulting from the activation of such beacons.


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NATSARCON 29/4/4 12 September 2005

Originator: WA

SAR Mapping and Analysis Programs

SUMMARYExecutive Summary: This paper provides information on the Search and Rescue

Mapping and Analysis Program purchased by the Western Australia Water Police Branch

Action to be taken: For information and consideration


Introduction

1. Western Australia has an extensive and complex coastline that stretches for over 12 000km, much of which is sparsely populated and remote. State waters cover a wide range of very different oceanographic climates; from tidally dominated waters of the North West Shelf and Kimberley coast to weak tidal waters of the Perth Basin. Large-scale oceanic currents, such as the Leeuwin Current impinge upon large sections of the coastal waters. Extreme and typical wind patterns vary greatly from the cold temperate waters of the Bight to the warm tropical waters of the northern coast.

2. In the past the W.A. Police managed the conduct of marine search and rescue action with the assistance of a locally developed computer based search program called Water Search. This program was based on the traditional methods of defining marine search areas as detailed in the National SAR Manual (previously called the Mini-Max or IAMSAR method). This traditional method suffers many limitations that result in less than optimal outcomes. In addition to errors from oversimplification and incorrect assumptions, this method often yields overly large and inefficient search area because of the safety factors that are necessary to be applied.

3. Since the last Council meeting, the Water Police Branch has reviewed and trialled two SAR modelling systems with the view to upgrade the SAR planning capabilities of the Branch by purchasing a SAR management tool based on real time environmental conditions.

Discussion

4. The Water Police Branch has recently taken delivery of a computerised modelling system developed and supported by Asia-Pacific Applied Science Associates (APASA), an Australian environmental consultancy that specializes in high quality environmental modelling services to the offshore and coastal industries. APASA are part of the Applied Science Associates (ASA) group with offices around the world, including Perth and Brisbane.

5. The SAR Mapping and Analysis program (SARMAP) is an advanced modelling system for calculating the most probable drift path for different search targets using the database of drift characteristics as developed by the USCG Research and Development Centre and follows the search planning methodology set forth in the National SAR Manual.


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6. The system consists of two interrelated programs:

Hydromap is a hydrodynamic model designed for rapid prediction of currents over any geographic location and to manage tidal current files. It obtains the information on large-scale currents from the CSIRO Bluelink Database via an automated internet link. The automated internet link is also used to access the wind data from the Bureau of Meteorology, twice per day, for periods covering the previous 12 hours and the next 48 hours.

SARMAP is the component for managing and displaying GIS information, map and chart data, specifying search scenarios, inputting and managing wind and current data, calculating the most probable drift path and search area, planning and managing the assignment of search units to make the most effective use of all available resources. Search areas can be predicted using three alternative trajectory models, the traditional “Mini-Max” calculation method and two methods using the Monte Carlo prediction model. The latter predicts the trajectory for a large number of particles each of which is independently modelled over time, allowing for leeway divergence to the left and right of the wind. The space around the particles is colour coded depending on the number of particles within each grid cells to provide a weighting for allocation of search effort.

7. The system is installed on a stand alone, off the shelf computer with the ability to email search plans and drift predictions direct to the coastal police stations.

8. During two recent SAR incidents the derived search areas were compared with those from AusSAR and found to be very closely aligned. The system is in use by various authorities around the world including the U.S. Coast Guards.

9. We will be able to demonstrate the system during the SAR Council meeting.

Recommendations

10. SAR council members are asked to note the availability of practical and low cost SAR Mapping and Analysis programs.


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Originator: AMSA

Sat-TRAK24 Presentation

SUMMARY

Executive Summary: Sat-TRAK24 is a company that provides satellite tracking for recreational vessels and vehicles around Australia.



A representative of Sat-TRAK24 will be providing a presentation on their satellite tracking system. The presentation will also include their use of the Mob-Alert man overboard system developed by another Western Australian company and Sat-Trak24’s collaboration with AUSROADS on tracking vehicles carrying dangerous goods.

The presentation will outline the potential for SAR Authorities to utilise Sat-TRAK24’s system.


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Originator: QLD

Titley Electronics DF Equipment Presentation

SUMMARY

Executive Summary: Titley Electronics is a Queensland company that manufacturers lightweight hand held DF equipment.



The Queensland delegate has arranged for a representative of the local manufacturer of DF and other electronic equipment, Titley Electronics to make a presentation to Council delegates on electronic equipment available for use by SAR authorities.


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Originator: AMSA

Information Exchange

SUMMARY

Executive Summary: Meeting 28 requested AMSA to lead an investigation into systems for exchange of operational information between jurisdictions. This paper reports on the issues.

Action to be taken: For Discussion

Related Documents: Actions from WP28/4/3 and WP28/8/3

Introduction

1. At the 28th meeting of the National SAR Council (Hobart, 2004) it was agreed to form a Working Group to investigate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other systems that could be used by the jurisdictions to facilitate the exchange of information. In later discussion the Council agreed “... John Young to take the lead role and distribute proposed terms of reference with the aim of the Working Group reporting to the 2005 Council meeting”.

2. AMSA regrets that the pressure of other commitments has meant that little progress has been made on preparation of a report for the Council. Draft terms of reference for a working group were circulated in August and comments included. Most jurisdictions have nominated members.

Discussion

3. Draft terms of reference are at Annex A. This draft is consistent with the previous circulation except that the dates have been changed.

4. In September this year AMSA hosted an operational debrief with Victoria Police to consider the SAR operation following the crash of an aircraft near Mount Hotham. VICPOL had utilised its own GIS-based systems deployed on-scene and had issued portable GPS tracking devices to both SES ground search parties and to helicopters involved in the air search.

5. Police officers from QLD, SA and WA that were in Canberra for the National Police SAR Manager’s Course joined the operational debrief with VICPOL. In a very useful exchange of views the group identified four potential levels of GIS usage within SAR incidents, and indeed other operations generally:

• Level 1: Simple track log function (aka data logging) based on simple and robust portable GPS recorders issued to one or more SAR units at commencement of task. On completion the track log can be downloaded onto a field laptop or PDA for local assessment, and forwarded to an RCC or Command centre. This technology is in wide-spread community use. VIC & QLD identified Emtac Trine GPS and Garmin Gecko GPS as equipments already in use;


40

• Level 2: Mobile GIS on a PDA type device to: show current location; display required search area / track; allow pre-planned capture of task-related information (e.g. Commencement, On-Task, Off-Task, Completed); allow capture of sighting reports or other points of interest; create a track log for the user. On completion of task information is downloaded onto field laptop for local assessment, and forwarded to an RCC or Command centre;

• Level 3: Field GIS on a rugged laptop to: display GIS data relevant to the search locality (vector and raster maps, satellite imagery, gazetteer data etc.); display or create search areas for assignment to SAR units of various types; receive and process status of assigned tasks\searches prior to forwarding to RCC or Command centre; communicate with RCC or Command centre via secure means such as VPN networking; and act as a communication hub in the field for mobile devices perhaps using wireless technologies such as Bluetooth / WiFi; and

• Level 4: Command\RCC system – a full Incident Management system intended for use in large-scale incidents or to manage multiple incidents, generally permitting a number of officers to work simultaneously and normally located at a RCC or Police HQ. The design and requirements would be dependent on organisational requirements and focus, and may meet operational requirements other than SAR.

6. The debrief also began the process of identifying GIS data sets that might be held by some jurisdictions. A survey form seeking a more comprehensive picture of available data is attached as Annex B. It is requested that jurisdictions complete the survey and return it to AMSA as an element of this project.

7. It is possible that GIS datasets listed in Annex B could be made available by one jurisdiction to other jurisdictions as part of the creation of an Australian SAR infrastructure. Comments on releasability of data would be welcomed.

Recommendations

8. It is recommended that the Council:

• consider the relevance to their jurisdictions of the four levels of GIS described above and provide feedback or direction for the benefit of further work;

• agree to the attached Terms of Reference for a Working Group on the exchange of operational information; and

• agree to complete the attached Survey of GIS Data.


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Annex A to WP29/4/7

National SAR Council Working Group on the Exchange of Operational Information

Terms of Reference

Introduction

1. At its 28th meeting (Hobart, 2004) the National SAR Council noted that a number of SAR Authorities were making increasing use of automated spatial planning and decision tools, generically Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and that there might be operational benefits from the exchange of the data resident in those systems. In particular, exchange of data might assist with removing traffic from telephone communications, and with the creation of a common operational picture available to cooperating SAR authorities.

2. The Council agreed to form a Working Group to investigate GIS and other systems that could be used by the jurisdictions to facilitate the exchange of information. AMSA was to lead the formation of the WG.

Purpose

3. The purpose of the WG is to examine measures to facilitate the exchange of operational information between SAR authorities so as to produce a common operational picture available to SAR participants, and to report the results back to the Council for consideration.

Participants

4. All Delegates to the Council have an interest in this subject and agreed to nominate representatives to join the WG. Representatives nominated from the senior SAR practitioner level are:

WG Convener John Young (AMSA)Australian Defence Force Owen NichollsAustralian Federal Police Peter DavisAustralian Maritime Safety Authority Alan LloydNSW Police To be advisedNorthern Territory Police Roger JeffreyQueensland Police Rob GrahamSouth Australia Police To be advisedTasmania Police Damian BidgoodVictoria Police Jason BallWestern Australia Police Frank RaabNew Zealand Police Geoffrey Logan


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5. The WG will approach the investigation in a series of structured tasks as follows:

1. Collect inputs from SAR authorities, particularly:

a. Views on the operational information that should be exchanged between cooperating SAR authorities to prosecute SAR effectively (type, effective communications media and frequency);

b. Summary of existing and emerging technical practices and systems for exchanging operational information;

2. Assess operational information exchange practices, with attention to:

a. Communications deficiencies that inhibit exchange of critical information, and potential improvements to resolve them;

b. Emerging opportunities to make use of new communications media to extend the range of operational information exchange into new areas;

3. Prepare recommendations to the National SAR Council regarding priority issues for consideration (may be submitted out of session);

4. Undertake further work as decided by the Council.

Schedule of eventsObjective Agencies Desired completionAgree terms of reference Council Nov 05Circulate surveys / questionnaires to collect inputs from SAR authorities AMSA Nov 05Complete the survey / questionnaire & return to AMSA All 31 Jan 06Engage working group in preparation of a draft report to Council AMSA lead All 30 April 06Meeting of the working group (if required) to finalise report to Council AMSA lead All June 06

Submit report to Council out of session AMSA 31 August 06


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Annex B to WP29/4/7

State\Territory SAR data SurveyGeneral GIS datasets

State & Territory Authorities and the Australian Defence force are requested to fill in the following table on the availability of general GIS datasets for the Australian SRR. Where the cost to acquire the data is known it should be included in the final column.

Scale AMSA QLD NSW VIC TAS SA WA NT Source CostWorld DCW1:1 000 000Vector Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Geoscience AustraliaRaster Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y WACSatellite Imagery Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Geoscience Australia1:250 000Vector Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Geoscience Australia $100Raster Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Geoscience Australia $100Satellite Imagery Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Geoscience Australia $1001:100 000Vector NRaster Y Geoscience Australia $100Satellite Imagery N1:50 000Vector NRaster NSatellite Imagery N1:25 000Vector NRaster NSatellite Imagery N


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Emergency Services DatasetsState and Territory authorities are requested to indicate availability of the following Emergency Services datasets.

Scale AusSAR QLD NSW VIC TAS SA WA NT Remarks e.g. Source authority,

access details

Australian SRR YPolice RegionsPolice DistrictsPolice StationsSES RegionsSES StationsAmbulance RegionsAmbulance StationsVolunteer RegionsVolunteer StationsFire Authority RegionsDefence RegionsDefence Bases


45

SUMMARYExecutive Summary: Standardised Offshore Tracking Sheets (OTS) to assist

SAR authorities in locating transiting vessels.Action to be taken: For Discussion Related Documents: Draft Offshore Tracking Sheets x 2


Originator: NSW

Marine Offshore Tracking Sheets

Introduction

1. Recreational vessels transiting the coast are often involved in SAR incidents, which can take SAR Authorities considerable time and resources to prosecute. Often, in these situations, valuable time is consumed in obtaining initial basic information and the transiting vessels last known position that is often not recorded.

2. In NSW Offshore Tracing Sheets (OTS) are completed via VMR Groups that “log” the transiting vessel on. They are then forwarded to the next VMR SARCC along the transiting vessel’s proposed route and to the port of destination. Samples of OTS forms are attached for information.

Discussion

3. The OTS is updated whilst the vessel is in transit and a running record is maintained. Should a SAR situation occur important information is readily available for the SMC to assist in search planning.

4. A standardised OTS would not only help SAR Authorities but would assist VMR groups when vessels are transiting interstate.

5. NSW is looking at the possibility of all VMR Units having broadband Internet access within 18 months. The VMR units Internet would operate through a central server with the aim of OTS being transmitted via E-Mail. Currently OTS are transmitted via fax.

6. Attachments 3, 4 and 5 are samples presently being generated to replace current OTS forms.

Recommendations

7. Council members are asked to agree that a standardised OTS system should be implemented throughout Australia with a view of assisting VMR Groups and SAR authorities.

Attachments

1. OTS form2. OTS form (Completed)3. Proposed form for Web-based offshore tracking4. Proposed form for Web-based offshore tracking5. Proposed form for Web-based offshore tracking


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29_4_8 Att 1 OTS FORM OCT RVCP.doc 20 Jan 06

OFFSHORE TRACKING SHEET

FAX To: ………………………………OPERATOR: ……………………………..…DATE: ……………. TIME: …………

COASTAL PATROL PORT STEPHENS PHONE: 02 4981 3585 FAX: 02 4984 1944

*** MANDATORY INFORMATION: ORIGINAL OTS No: … / … DIV OTS No: PORSTE ... / …

LOG ON DATE: TIME:

NAME

REGISTRATION No SAIL NO:

MARINE RADIO 27 MHz VHF HF

MOBILE No

VESSEL TYPE LENGTH: Ft / Metres

COLOUR HULL: SUPERSTRUCTURE:

POB ADULTS CHILDREN

PORT of REGISTRATION

SHORE CONTACT NAME

SHORE CONTACT No

PORT of DEPARTURE DATE: TIME:

DESTINATION & ETA DATE: TIME:

EAST SEAL ROCKS CP FORTUNREPORT AT:

MID STOCKTON BIGHTor 2 hours SKED AT: hrs TO:

CP NEWC

POSITION & COMMUNICATIONS LOG

DATE TIME LOCATION REMARKS

FINAL ACTION

VESSEL TRANSFERRED TO: ………………..………………….. DATE: …………. TIME: ……………

LOG-OFF: DATE: ………… TIME: ………..… LOCATION: ……………..…

OVERDUE: REPORTED TO: ………………………………... POLICE

DATE: ………. TIME: ………… OFFICERS NAME: …………………....

*** NOT RECORDING ALL MANDATORY INFORMATION MAY JEOPARDISE RESCUE EFFORTS

NATSARCON 29/4/8 Attachment 1


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29_4_8 Att 1 OTS FORM OCT RVCP.doc 20 Jan 06

DEFINITION OF TERMS: ACCURACY AND COMPLETE DATA IS ESSENTIAL

INFORMATION REQUIRED REMARKS

ORIGINAL OTS No: (DIV) … / … OTS No of ORIGINATING SARCC/MRU

DIV OTS No: (DIV) …. / …. DIVISION OTS No IF ORIGINATING SARCC/MRU

NAME

REGISTRATION No

CONFIRM BOTH BY PHONETIC ALPHABET

THIS IS CRITICAL TO ASSIST WATER POLICE INDATABASE SEARCH

SAIL NoMORE EASILY READ THAN REGO (AT DISTANCE OR FROM

AIR)

MARINE RADIONOTE LISTENING WATCH FREQUENCY IF GIVEN - CAN’TASSUME SAME AS LOG-ON RADIO

MOBILE No No OF DIGITs - 10!

TYPE / LENGTH MORE DETAIL THE BETTER

COLOUR - HULL / SUPERSTRUCTURE

POB ADULTS & CHILDREN

PORT of REGISTRATION TO ASSIST WATER POLICE DATABASE SEARCH

SHORE CONTACT NAME

SHORE CONTACT NoIF NOT PROVIDED NOTE ‘NOT GIVEN’

PORT of DEPARTUREDEPARTURE PORT IF NOT ORIGINATING FROM

SARCC/MRU LOCATION

DESTINATION & ETA ‘TBA’ ETA IS NOT DESIRABLE

REPORT AT: TRANSFER POINT TO NEXT SARCC/MRU

Or 2 hours SKED AT: hrs SKEDs SHOULD BE 2 HOURS

TO: NAME NEXT SARCC/MRU

POSITION & COMMUNICATIONS LOG

LOG POSITION REPORTS & COMMUNICATION & OTHER

REMARKS (EG, CONDITIONS ETC)

IF LOG-ON IS OTHER THAN DEPARTURE PORT LOG

CURRENT POSITION HERE

VESSEL TRANSFERRED TO:DATE: ………….TIME:……………

FORMALLY TRANSFER RESPONSIBILITIES TO NEXTSARCC/MRU

LOG-OFF:

DATE: ………… TIME:………..…LOCATION:……………..…

YOUR LOCATION

OVERDUE:REPORTED TO: ………… POLICE

DATE: ……….TIME:…………

OFFICERS NAME:………………....

SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 3 HOURS FROM LAST SKEDTIME or ONE HOUR FROM ETA


FAX TO NEXT SARCC / MRU - IF TRACKING NOT REQUESTED, FAX TO DESTINATION - SRB SOP 02


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29_4_8 Att 2 OTS FORM COMPLETE SYD-COFFS.doc 20 Jan 06

OFFSHORE TRACKING SHEET

UNIT NAME: SYDNEY WATER POLICEPHONE: 02 9320 7499

E-MAIL:[email protected]

FAX: 02 9320 7407

MANATORY INFORMATION

LOG ON DATE: 16/10/2005 TIME: 4.00am

NAME The BOAT CALL SIGN: VKG246

REGISTRATION No BOAT123N STATE: NSW SAIL NO: N/A

MARINE RADIO 27 MHz VHF 16/73 HF

MOBILE No.

0 4 3 8 2 2 1 0 0 0

VESSEL TYPE FLY BRIDGE CRUISER LENGTH: 64 FEET

COLOUR HULL: WHITE SUPERSTRUCTURE: BLUE

POB 2 ADULTS CHILDREN PETS

SHORE CONTACT NAME JOHN SMITH

SHORE CONTACT No 02 1234567

PORT of DEPARTURE SYDNEY DATE: 16/10/05 TIME: 0400

DESTINATION & ETA COFFS HARBOUR DATE:16/10/05 TIME: 1400

ADVISED TO REPORT 1. LAKE MACQUARIE 2. PORT STEPHENS 3.SEAL ROCKS4. FORSTER 5. PORT MACQUARIE 6. TRIAL BAY 7. COFFS

OTS RUNNING LOG

DATE TIME FREQ UNIT POSITION COMMENTS.XXXXXXXX

XXXXXX

XXXXXX

XXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

16/10/2005 0400 16/73 WAT POLSYD

DEPARTING SYDNEY LOGGED ON OTS COMPLETED

0405 FAX WAT POLSYD

OTS FAXED TO RVCP COFFSHARBOUR

0406 E-MAIL WAT POLSYD

E-MAIL COAST GUARD SWANSEA

0407 E-MAIL CGSWANSEA

OTS RECD FROM WAT POL SYD

0615 16/77 CGSWANSEA

8NM EAST LAKE MAC ALL OK SEAS GOOD SPEED 25KNOTS

0616 E-MAIL RVCP PS OTS RECD FROM CG SWANSEADIV: OTS 05/12345

0730 16/77 RVCP PS 6NM EAST PORTSTEPHENS

ALL OK WEATHER SE 5-10 KNOTSSEAS .5 METRE SWELL 1M

0815 16/73 RVCP PS 1NM EAST SEALROCKS

0816 E-MAIL RVCP PS E-MAIL OTS TO RVCP FORSTER0817 E-MAIL RVCP F/T OTS RECD. FROM RVCP PS

DIV OTS 05/24680903 16/67 RVCP F/T 3NM EAST CAPE

HAWKEALL OK WILL CALL OFF PORT MAC

0905 E-MAIL RVCP F/T E-MAIL OTS TO PORT MACQUARIE


49

29_4_8 Att 2 OTS FORM COMPLETE SYD-COFFS.doc 20 Jan 06

SEA RESCUE16/10/2005 0906 E-MAIL PMSR OTS RECD FROM RVCP F/T.

CONFIRMED BY PHONE1040 16/73 PMSR 2NM EAST TACKING

POINTALL OK ADVISED TO CONTACT RVCPTRIAL BAY

1042 FAX PMSR FAXED TO RVCP TRIAL BAY

1045 FAX RVCP TB OTS RECD FROM PMSRDIV OTS 05/6789

1215 16/77 RVCP TB 2NM EAST SMOKYCAPE

ALL OK SHOULD BE AT COFFSAROUND 1345

1216 FAX RVCP TB FAX OTS TO RVCP COFFS HARBOUR1220 RAX RVCP CH OTS RECD FROM RVCP TB1342 16/67 ENTERING COFFS LOGGED OFF. E-MAIL TO WAT POL

SYD

LOG-OFF: DATE:…16/10/05……… TIME: 1342………..… LOCATION: COFFS HARBOUR ……………..…



50



51



52



53

SUMMARY

Executive Summary: The Website has been upgraded to include a page for Police Divers to list equipment available from different jurisdictions.

Action to be taken: For Information


NATSARCON 29/5/1 31 October 2005


SAR Council Website

Introduction

1. The SAR Council Website has now been active since July 2003. This paper provides an update on what is available and calls for suggestions on improvements and additions to assist the Council with its objectives.

Discussion

2. The Council Website has evolved slowly but still has potential for further productive growth.

3. As a result of last year’s meeting, a new page has been added to the members’ section of the Website to allow the Police Divers to publish a list of divers and equipment available in each jurisdiction. Lists such as this need to be updated regularly and have someone manage it. Senior Sergeant Barry Gibson from Victoria has agreed to manage changes to the divers page. All updates and suggestions for the divers page from the jurisdictions will be passed through Sgt Gibson to the Council Secretary. The page will be maintained by AMSA as part of the site management.

4. The Website must continue to remain relevant and useful or may quickly lose any worth to the Council members and the public.

Recommendations

5. Council members are asked:

• to note the addition of the new Webpage listing diver numbers and equipment available in each of the States and Territories; and

• to provide regular updates and fresh ideas to maintain the site as an interesting entity.


54


Originator: SA

Report of the Course Director16th National Police Search and Rescue Managers Course

Report to: Mr Steve Langlands Secretary, National Search and Rescue Council

From: Brevet Sergeant Darryl Wright, Course Director SAPOL, Special tasks and Rescue Group,

Water Operations Unit.

The 16th National Police Search and Rescue managers Course was conducted at the AFP College, Canberra between 22nd August and 2nd September, 2005.

1. DIRECTING STAFF Brevet Sergeant Darryl Wright, SA Police, Course Director Acting Sergeant Adam Mack, WA Police, Assistant Course Director Inspector Darren Hopkins, TAS Police Senior Sergeant Rob graham, QLD Police Sergeant Rob Trussell, NSW Police Acting Sergeant Victor Velthuis, VIC Police LTCD (Dr) Paul Luckin, R.A.N.

2. VISITING LECTURERS Mr Murray Brissett, National SAR School: RTO considerations Ms Tracey Jiggins, AMSA Public Relations: Media considerations Mr John Young, AMSA: The partnership between AMSA and Police Mr Steve Langlands, AMSA: Emergency Beacons Coastwatch: Operational overview


55

3. PARTICIPANTS

New South Wales Police Senior Constable Michael Hogan Senior Constable Darren Hewitt Senior Constable Michael Smith

New Zealand Police Senior Sergeant Geoff Logan Northern Territory Police Senior Sergeant Roger Jeffery Sergeant Shaun Gill

Queensland Police Sergeant Shaun Halson Senior Constable Neil MacMillan Senior Constable Glenn Lawrence

South Australia Police Sergeant Andrew Thiele Brevet Sergeant David Bacchus

Tasmania Police Senior Constable Russell Judges

Victoria Police Senior Constable Greg Barras Senior Constable Lee Smith

Western Australia Police Senior Constable Barney Hutchison Senior Constable Gerard Meek

4. UNITS OF COMPETENCE

During attendance students were assessed against Units of Competency in relation to the award of Advanced Diploma of Public Safety, (Police Search and Rescue Management). All students achieved all competencies offered during the residential component with further Units made available by post course assignment and recognition of prior learning/current competence.

5. COURSE COSTS

Course costs are totalled across the board and then divided equally between the 16 students. As a direct result of the 2004 Course Debrief Directing Staff highlighted a potential to keep course costs to a minimum by exploring alternative airfare options. This was done in 2005 which resulted in course costs being reduced from approximately $3300.00 per student to approximately $3000.00 per student, a saving of some $4800.00 when proportioned to the 16 students. There were no increases in running costs or administrative expenditure.


56

6. COURSE DEBRIEF

Directing Staff conducted a course debrief on 1st September, 2005 which is annexed in its entirety for reference. As a result of that debrief the following matters were highlighted for the attention of Council.

6.1 Debrief item 2.3 – Number of Directing Staff

A total of six Directing Staff were provided, one each by S.A., VIC, QLD, N.S.W., W.A. and TAS. This is sufficient to facilitate lectures and exercises but provides little opportunity to rotate through roles during SAREX’s. All Directing Staff were unanimous in acknowledging the great benefit gained from attending the course, particularly in the area of validating current training methods and content, networking and information sharing. All agreed that it would be beneficial both to the course and to the SAR response in their State for a member from the Northern Territory to join the Directing Staff. There are a number of recent students from N.T. that would be valuable additions to the Directing Staff team.

In the past some of the smaller states have been unable to send Directing Staff each year due to financial constraints. Since amending the cost allocation in 2004 this is no longer an issue with costs being proportioned equally amongst all students so that no particular state is disadvantaged by providing Directing Staff. Should N.T. be able to nominate a member of the Directing Staff, when proportioned between 16 students it would increase the cost to each student by about $200.00. which seems insignificant given the benefit to the course and the National SAR system.

6.2 Debrief item 2.5 – Acknowledgement of R.T.O. and Administrative Support

Directing Staff wished to acknowledge the continued support of Emergency Response and in particular the National SAR School in providing RTO status and offering students an opportunity to achieve an advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Police Search and Rescue Management).

The National SAR School also provide administrative support in receiving nominations, sending out pre-course information, booking accommodation, classrooms and airfares and numerous other areas. Due to recent personnel changes within the school Mr Tony Marshall came on board in early 2005 and it was largely due to his planning skills that the course proceeded as proposed. Mr Murray Brissett was later appointed to the position as head of the SAR school and all Directing Staff were unanimous in acknowledging his administrative and personal support of the course.

This year the school also provided a Course Liaison Officer in Mr Stacey Kinnane whose efforts Directing Staff and students also acknowledge as contributing to the overall success of the course. The allocation of a course liaison officer provided an immediate point of contact between the course and the school and proved beneficial on numerous occasions. Directing Staff also supported the visits to the college by Emergency Response SAR Officer’s on an informal basis as arranged by Stacey and provided good networking and information sharing possibilities.

Directing Staff would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Ms Tracey Byrne of Emergency response in the booking of flights and vehicles.


57

6.3 Debrief item 2.6 - Directing Staff Acknowledgement

Wright wished it noted in minutes that he commended all members of the Directing Staff for their untiring efforts in ensuring that the course continued to progress in curriculum and instructional quality which resulted in all students achieving all available competencies and unanimously endorsing the course as better preparing them to perform the role of a SAR Manager on return to their respective States.

To ensure future allocation of Directing Staff and recognition of personal effort perhaps Council would endorse formal recognition with letters to respective Commissioners for noting on personal files.

7. COURSE DIRECTOR/DEPUTY DIRECTOR

As a result of the 2004 National SAR Council meeting W.A. agreed in principal to succeed S.A. in the role of Course Director. During the 2005 Course Acting Sergeant Adam Mack of WAPOL was inducted by Brevet Sergeant Darryl Wright of SAPOL in this role and it is envisaged that he or another nominated representative will perform that duty for the 2006/2007 courses. Wright is standing aside as a member of the Directing Staff and S.A. will appoint a member to take his place in due course.

D.C. WRIGHTB/Sgt 889/5Water Operations UnitSpecial Tasks and Rescue GroupSAPOL

Attachment: Debrief of course


58

Attachment to NATSARCON 29/7/1

16TH NATIONAL POLICE SEARCH AND RESCUE MANAGERS COURSE

AFP COLLEGE CANBERRA

22nd August – 2nd September, 2005

MINUTES OF DEBRIEF

Debrief conducted at AFP College at 1000 on Thursday, 1st September, 2005.

Present: Chair: Darryl Wright S.A. - Course DirectorDirecting Staff: Rob Graham QLD, Victor Velthuis VIC, Darren Hopkins TAS, Rob Trussell NSW, Adam Mack W.A.

1. CURRENT COURSE CONTENT

General discussion that any presentations prepared for this course should be on the Powerpoint background “Pixel” which incorporates a chequered band synonymouswith Police and reflects professionalism in course delivery. Those presentations ion hand have been so amended.

ACTION 1: All future presentations to be prepared in “Pixel” background.

1.1 Course Opening & Introduction - 30 minutes

Delivered Wright. ½ hour duration. No changes required. Included outline of curriculum and Public Safety Training Package information by Graham.

1.2 National SAR Arrangements - 2 hours

Delivered by Graham. Main emphasis on arrangements under NATSAR plan.Need to review/include any amendments to national arrangements prior to delivery 2006.

1.3 SAR Management – 1 hour

Delivered by Mack. No changes required.

1.4 Land navigation and SAR Planning revision – 2 hours


59

2

Delivered by Velthuis & Hopkins. Velthuis advised a review of the pre-course study guide could include more basic map reading exercises so that more time could be spent on actual SAR planning.

ACTION 2: Wright to review pre-course study guide and liaise with Velthuis with a view to amending land navigation information.

1.5 Liaising with the Media – ½ day

Delivered by Tracey Jiggins, AusSAR Public relations Officer incorporating 50 minute presentation and individual media interview on prepared scenario. Well received. Hopkins stated he thought there could be an opportunity to also provide a media journalists viewpoint during the session. All agreed that the time frame was enough for this topic and to include another presenter would probably mean that all students did not get to give a live interview. Discussion resolved that this was no major problem as individual interviews were also conducted during actual SAREX’s.

ACTION 3: In planning 2006 course DS to liaise with JIGGINS with a view to identifying a suitable journalist to provide a short presentation from their viewpoint.

1.6 Marine Navigation and SAR Planning revision – 2 hours

Delivered by Mack & Trussell. Suitable in content but chart utilised was of a scale unsuitable for this type of training and needed to be rewritten around a smaller scale chart.

ACTION 4: DS to rewrite exercises around a smaller scale chart and obtain 16 copies of the chart for refresher/assessment.

1.7 Field Trip – Rescue Co-ordination Centre. 2 hours

Incorporating viewing of morning briefing, presentation by John Young (Operations Manager) and Steve Langlands (Beacons) then tour of RCC. Appropriate in content and time frame. No amendments necessary.

1.8 Field trip – Coastwatch – 45 minutes

Incorporating presentation on Coastwatch Operations and brief view of Ops Room. Most felt that this was of benefit although the presentation was very corporate and could be better pitched. Some students stated in course critique that this was unnecessary but most saw some benefit in it. To remain in programme whilst time permits.

1.9 Land Navigation Assessment – 2 hours Facilitated by Velthuis & Hopkins. Appropriate. To remain as is.

1.10 Conclude SAR Operations – 2 hours


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3

Incorporated case review by Graham on “Fraser Island” search followed by presentation by Velthuis in line with NATSAR Manual. To remain in time and content.

ACTION 5: Graham to review package on Fraser Island search with a view to preparing an updated presentation for 2006.

1.11 Marine Navigation Assessment – 2 hours

Facilitated by Mack & Trussell. As previously discussed, the chart utilised for this is of an unsuitable scale and needs to be re written around a smaller scale chart. Mack commented that he thought the assessment was pitched at too low a level and needed to incorporate more SAR planning facets.

ACTION 6: Mack to review the assessment prior to 2006 with a view to rewriting it utilising a more appropriate scale chart.

1.12 Manage Human Resources – 50 minutes

Delivered by Graham. Content appropriate by time frame needs to be increased to approx 90 minutes.

ACTION 7: Mack to review 2005 programme with a view to extending presentation time to 90 minutes for 2006 course.

1.13 Case Study “Margaret J” – 2 hours

Presented by Hopkins incorporating 2 x videos from “4 Corners” and “Insight”. Well received. Appropriate in content & time frame.

1.14 Small Groups Exercise “Ochre Island” – 1 hour

Facilitated by Graham. Set the scene for progression to SAREX’s.Appropriate in content and time frame.

1.15 SAREX’s

General Discussion. Hopkins stated that he would like to see a common format for all exercises and suggested rewriting each to come into line with that. Graham agreed but stated this was difficult as some previous members of the Directing Staff had not left electronic copies of their exercises. Mack advised it was particularly difficult for him being a first time DS expecting electronic copies to be kept on disc at AusSAR. This had been the case but the disc had gone missing between 2004 and 2005 course. This was supported by Wright who also did not have an electronic copy of an exercise previously held at AusSAR.

ACTION 8: All future exercises to be formatted in line with or similar to Exercise Antine as presented by Graham. Course Director to provide exercise Antine as example to future directing staff when preparing exercises.


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4

1.15.1 Exercise Tin Mine Creek

Facilitated by Velthuis. Discussion that this exercise was a difficult scenario and more suited for later in the course, not first up.

1.15.2 Exercise Woolgoolga

Facilitated by Trussell. Scenario suitable to be run early in course.

1.15.3 Exercise Hobart

Facilitated by Wright. Suitable.

1.15.4 Exercise Keraudron

Facilitated by Mack. Suitable.

1.15.5 Exercise Antine

Facilitated by Graham. Suitable and good prospective first up exercise.

1.15.6 Exercise Lake Mountain

Facilitated by Velthuis. Suitable

1.15.7 Exercise Wahoo

Facilitated by Mack. Needs revisiting. Very busy scenario.

1.15.8 Exercise Didgeridoo

Facilitated by Hopkins. Needs revisiting. Very complicated.

1.16 Medical Factors In SAR – 5 hours

Presented by Dr Paul Luckin. Invaluable presentation. Extremely well received by students and invited observers from AusSAR. To remain in content and time frame.

1.17 Developments in I.T.

Presented by Greg Barras of VICPOL SAR Squad who was present on the course as a student. Particular reference to G.I.S. and palm pilot use within VICPOL SAR Squad. Well received. To remain in content and time frame depending on individual expertise of presenter and available time.

1.18 After Hours visits to R.C.C.

Students felt that the after hours visits in syndicates to the RCC were extremely beneficial and should remain as currently planned.


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5

2 ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Venue

General Discussion. Canberra is the preferred location for the course due to the relatively centralised location to respective states and access to the Rescue Co-ordination Centre. The AFP College BARTON remains the most suitable venue to conduct the course. Accommodation is of a high standard and there are sufficient rooms to cater for the entire course on site as well as visiting lecturers. Mess and recreational facilities are adequate and the college is centrally located to shops and public transport.

This year there were insufficient syndicate rooms available within the college with a classroom and syndicate rooms being allocated at the adjacent Salvation Army House. Whilst the classroom was suitable the syndicate rooms were smaller and less equipped than those used in previous years within the college. It is suggested that when booking the 2006 course that dates be chosen around availability of a classroom and 4 syndicate rooms within the college proper.

ACTION 9: Course Director liaise with the National SAR School with a view to booking course dates when a classroom and 4 syndicate rooms are available within the AFP College.

2.2 Number of Participants.

As reflected in last years debrief report. The optimum number of students on this course remains at 16. Invites were sent to all mainland states and territories (with the exception of the AFP) as well as New Zealand, with each state providing two students with the exception of Tasmania and New Zealand who supplied only one each. Queensland and New South Wales provided additional students to make up the 16. It is acknowledged that the failure to invite participants from the AFP (even though they had not supplied students in the recent past when invited) was an oversight and this should occur in 2006.

ACTION 10: Course Director to liaise with the National SAR School to ensure invites are sent to all Australian Police Services as well as New Zealand.

2.3 Number of Directing Staff.

A total of six Directing Staff were provided, one each by S.A., VIC, QLD, N.S.W., W.A. and TAS. This is sufficient to run the course but provides little opportunity to rotate through roles during SAREX’s. All Directing Staff were unanimous in acknowledging the great benefit gained from attending the course, particularly in the area of networking and information sharing. All agreed that it would be beneficial both to the course and to the SAR response in their State for a member from the Northern Territory to join the Directing


63

6

Staff. There are a number of recent students from N.T. that would be valuable additions to the Directing Staff team.

In the past some of the smaller states have been unable to send Directing Staff each year due to financial constraints. Since amending the cost allocation in 2004 this is no longer an issue with costs being proportioned equally amongst all students so that no particular state is disadvantaged by providing Directing Staff. Should N.T. be able to nominate a member of the Directing Staff, when proportioned between 16 students it would increase the cost to each student by about $200.00. which seems insignificant given the benefit to the course and the National SAR system.

ACTION 11: Wright to include this in the report to Council.

2.4 Course Costs

In 2004 the course debrief resolved to approach the National SAR School with a view to investigating alternative airfare ticketing to keep course costs to a minimum. At the time of debrief these costs were not to hand but it is expected that considerable savings on previous years airfares will be made this year and therefore a lowering of total course costs.

2.5 Registered Training Organisation and Administrative Support.

Directing Staff acknowledge the continued support of the National SAR School in providing RTO status and offering students an opportunity to achieve an advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Police Search and Rescue Management).

The National SAR School also provide administrative support in receiving nominations, sending out pre-course information, booking accommodation, classrooms and airfares and numerous other areas. Due to recent personnel changes within the school Mr Tony Marshall came on board in early 2005 and it was largely due to his planning skills that the course proceeded as proposed.Mr Murray Brissett was later appointed to the position as head of the SAR school and all Directing Staff were unanimous in acknowledging his administrative and personal support of the course.

This year the school also provided a Course Liaison Officer in Mr Stacey Kinnane whose efforts Directing Staff and students also acknowledge as contributing to the overall success of the course. The allocation of a course liaison officer provided an immediate point of contact between the course and the school and proved beneficial on numerous occasions. Directing Staff also supported the visits to the college by AusSAR SAR Officer’s on an informal basis as arranged by Stacey and provided good networking and information sharing possibilities.

ACTION 12: Wright to acknowledge the support of AusSAR, the SAR School and individuals previously identified in the report to Council.


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7

2.6 Acknowledgments

Wright wished it noted in minutes that he commended all members of the Directing Staff for their untiring efforts in ensuring that the course continued to progress in curriculum and instructional quality which resulted in all students achieving all available competencies and unanimously endorsing the course as better preparing them to perform the role of a SAR Manager on return to their respective States.

Action 13: WRIGHT to acknowledge the efforts of Directing Staff in the report to Council.

Debrief Closed 1100 hours.


65


Originator: NSW

Standardisation of Volunteer Marine Training Requirements

SUMMARYExecutive Summary: Standardisation of the training requirements for Volunteer

Marine Rescue personnel nationally.Action to be taken: For discussion.Related Documents: NSW Marine Volunteer Rescue Training Package

Introduction1. Every State within Australia relies upon the assistance of Volunteer Marine Rescue Units to assist in

Marine SAR incidents along their coastline. Inquiries would indicate that there are different levels of requirements throughout the States re-accreditation and training of these groups. It is recognised that these volunteer groups would be required to attain a certain level of training and experience to be able to respond to a Marine SAR incident. Each State should have legislation in place to allow for Volunteers to assist in Marine Rescues and be covered by insurance. (Assumption).

Discussion2. The NSW Model being presented was formulated and agreed upon by the three NSW VMR groups;

those groups being the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and the Volunteer Rescue Association. Where possible, the National Training Packages have been utilised for simplicity and in areas that could not be covered by the National system, have been developed through the NSW State Rescue Board.

3. The importance of having a standard system cannot be stressed to highly, especially in States that have multiple VMR organisations. It is recognised that SAR Coordinators can use any resource available for a SAR mission, however, those expounding to be a Marine Rescue Unit within a State should have a minimum training level for each area of service they provide, whether this be a volunteer organisation or not.

4. The purpose of this discussion paper is to present the basic minimum training levels required for Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) groups within New South Wales, with the view that there should be a standard nationally for VMR personnel for the roles they perform.

Recommendation5. Council members are requested to: • agree that there is a need for a National Volunteer Marine Rescue Training Package; and • if agreed, that the best way to achieve this goal be discussed.

Attachments:1. State Rescue Board Minimum Training Requirement For Marine Rescue Skipper (Level 1).2. State Rescue Board Minimum Training Requirement For Marine Rescue Skipper (Level 2).3. State Rescue Board Minimum Training Requirement For Marine Rescue Skipper (Level 3).4. State Rescue Board Minimum Training Requirement For Marine Rescue Crew.5. State Rescue Board Minimum Training Requirement For Marine Rescue Radio Operator.6. State Rescue Board Minimum Training Requirement For Marine SAR Officer.7. State Rescue Board Minimum Training Requirement For Marine Rescue RCC Watch Officer.


66

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88


Appendix 2A

AMSA ReportThe past year has again showed a continuing rise in the number of incidents with which the RCC has had some involvement.Incidents may vary, from the recording the action taken to follow up a “failure to report” by either an aircraft or a vessel to the search for a missing aircraft or boat.Overall there has been a small rise in the number of incidents and searches from 2004 to 2005.

Total Incidents 2004/ 11,384 2005/ 11,507 +123However we have had significant increase in the number of beacon related incidents

All Beacon related incidents 3724 to 4284 +560This includes all detections by both satellite and aircraft.

406 MHz Beacon related incidents 753

Total searches 560 to 594 +34The rise in the number of searches is similar to the small rise in incidents and does not appear to be related to the increase in beacon incidents. This may be because of the increasing number of 406 MHz beacons and the ability to quickly determine the associated platform and owner, thus reducing the need for the search necessary to identify the source of a 121.5 MHz beacon.Per Month > 40 searches 9 to 10 > 50 2 to 4Range High 52 October Low 37 NovemberHowever there has been a significant increase in the cost of searches in 2005Costs 2004/ $5,963,175 2005/ $6,475,527 +512,000Search costs average just under $500,000/ month, but some months have been over $1.5 m.Average/ Month 458,706 498,348 aprx + 40,000 While I am unable to extract any specific figures for the number of incidents where the Police have retained overall coordination, with AMSA providing assistance with the coordination of an air search. I feel that there has been continuing increase with I think a conservative estimate of $ 2 million in air search costs being met by the Commonwealth in such circumstances.

SUMMARY OF TYPES OF INCIDENTSMedevacs / Provision of medical advice 113(These include incidents outside the Australian SRR)Beacon incidentsHoax/Malicious 77Approx breakdown WA 33 QLD 16 NSW 11 Vic 7 SA 4 TAS 1 NT 1Aircraft Crash (inc notifications with no RCC involvement) 120

Fixed Wing 71Helicopter 19Ultralight 28


89

Persons on land (this would include bushwalkers) 72This includes 20 in NZ

Vehicles 21NOTE: for both persons and vehicles practically all involved activation of a beacon, again reflecting the penetration of beacons into general society.

Specific areas in Australia Torres Strait area:

Incidents (inc 89 Sarwatch) 233Beacon related 60Searches 48Lives saved 107

FATALITIESThere has been an average of 3 incidents per month where fatalities have occurred.

CONCLUSIONWish to note that throughout the year there has been excellent cooperation and coordination with the States and Territories resulting in an overall effective response to incidents.

AMSA STATISTICAL SUMMARY – October 2005


90

Appendix 2B

South Australia ReportAnnual Report 2004-2005

GeneralIn the 2004-2005 year the volunteer marine rescue organisations responded to over 510 incidents, the majority of these being vessels in distress or requiring emergency assistance.

The following organisations are accredited to conduct volunteer marine rescue in SA:South Australia Sea Rescue Squadron Inc.Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Inc.Victor Harbor-Goolwa Sea Rescue Squadron Inc.Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol Inc.Air Sea Rescue – Cowell Squadron IncAir Sea Rescue – Whyalla Squadron Inc.

The metropolitan waters in Gulf St Vincent from Port Willunga to Port Gawler are serviced jointly by the Adelaide Shores Flotilla - SA Sea Rescue Squadron and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Flotilla at North Haven.

The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard operate 3 additional Flotillas in the country region, namely Port Vincent, Port Augusta and Kangaroo Island, whilst the SA Sea Rescue Squadron have established country flotillas located at Wirrina, Edithburgh and Copper Coast [Wallaroo].

The waters surrounding Yorke Peninsula, a very popular destination for holidaymakers and therefore high activity in recreational boating has excellent rescue resources provided by the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol at Port Victoria and Point Turton.

These organisations are independent, incorporated bodies and affiliated with the VMR Association – VMR SA Association Inc.

Worthy recipients of the Minister for Emergency Services Commendations were Mrs Cheryl Dalling – Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and Mr Peter Collins, Mr Paul Brown and Mr Deam Lomblat of the SA Sea Rescue Squadron.

Management & Coordination3 joint Squadrons committees’ who have met regularly in the reporting period provide management and coordination with respect to the operational, administrative and funding functions. The committees’ are:

Volunteer Marine Rescue Council of SAState Marine Rescue CommitteeState Marine Communications Management Committee

Administrative support to the three committees, including the development and implementation of agreed policies and procedures is provided by the office of the Coordinator – Volunteer Marine Rescue, which is located in the management structure of the State Emergency Service. This office also provides day-to-day support services to the VMR organisations.

The VMR management structure works collaboratively with other key Government and Non-Government marine bodies such as:

Community Emergency Services Fund - AGDWater Operations Unit – SAPOLMarine Operations – TSA


91

Australian Communications AuthorityBoating Industry Association of SAAustralian Maritime AuthorityNational Marine Safety Committee

OperationsCollectively across the State, the VMR organisations have 95 vessels accredited to respond to emergency incidents, of which 18 vessels are Squadron owned.

The VMR operates 7 days per week – 24 hours per day and is maintained by over 1000 active and support members who have continued to train maintaining the high skill required to operate the rescue vessels, sometimes in dangerous conditions and in the hours of darkness.

Marine operations is supported by approximately 55 Limited Coast Radio Stations and Squadron Radio Operation Centres stretched along the entire coastline of SA, monitoring the marine distress radio frequencies. In addition, many of the Radio bases provide daily weather and marine safety information to both the commercial fishing sector and the recreational boating community. This service alone contributes in excess of 50,000 volunteer hours annually.

VMR organisations collectively responded to over 500 emergency incidents that required action by a VMR group.

Total Incidents by Month


92

Following the tragic shark attack incident in December, major VMR resources were mobilized and the SA Sea Rescue Squadron Operations Centre at Adelaide Shores provided a facility as a coordination centre. In addition, the VMR resources carried out daily ‘on water’ safety patrols over the Xmas and holiday period following the incident in support, of the VAC swim program.

FundingThe Government Community Emergency Services Fund provides an annual grant to each accredited Squadron to assist with the recurrent costs. The VMR organisations have continued to fund raise to bridge the gap between the government grant and actual cost of delivery of service and to purchase other minor rescue equipment. However, Squadrons report the ability to fund raise is becoming exceedingly more difficult, particularly in regional and country centres.

The annual Rescue Vessel Replacement program funded from the Community Emergency Services Funds continues to function successfully with the launching of a new 7.4m Offshore Rescue vessel, built by local boat builder Clayton Marine. The vessel commissioned in March 2005, has been issued to the Port Vincent Flotilla – Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and has been allocated the primary operational area extending from Stansbury to Ardrossan.

Additional funds were provided to the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard – SA Squadron to construct a storage shed for the new vessel and a second hand towing vehicle.

Other Key AchievementsDevelopment of the VMR Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare PolicyDevelopment of a common mobilisation call out system based on the SA-GRN Pagers.Continued support to the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard VHF Marie Radio Repeater Network with the upgrade of the “Greenpatch Repeater” Port Lincoln, damaged by bushfire.Completion of Cowell Squadron Headquarters & Radio Base.Continued development of the Copper Coast Flotilla and the Kangaroo Island Flotilla.


93

Appendix 2C

NSW Police Jurisdictional Report to the National SAR Council 2005

Marine SAR Report

Statistical Information for the period 1 January to 30 October 2005

There have been 2057 SAR incidents along the NSW Coast this is a reduction of 580 SAR for the same period last year. The reasoning for this reduction can be attributed to better than average climate, fuel costs and better vessel construction.

The graph below details the locations of those SAR incidents in relation to the Marine Area Command (Water Police) Sectors areas of responsibility.

The Volunteer Marine Rescue Units being the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Inc and the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc assist NSW Police with marine SAR incidents.

1/1/05-29/10/05 SUMMARY

As can be seen the VMR groups within NSW respond to approximately 60% of all SAR incidents. This % figure has remained static for the last 5 years.

65.5% of SAR incidents are inshore with 34.5% located offshore.

The NSW State Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC) located within the NSW Police Marine Area Command at Balmain, has been opened on 47 occasions during this period to coordinate large scale SAR’s.

Number of Incidents

Water Police VMR Combined TotalInshore Offshore Total Inshore Offshore Total

Eden 19 19 38 37 87 124 162Port Kembla 5 13 18 95 142 237 255Botany Bay 140 24 164 107 17 124 288Sydney 208 45 253 122 15 137 390Broken Bay 122 30 152 184 13 197 349Newcastle 48 33 81 112 28 140 221Port Stephens 39 20 59 60 52 112 171Coffs Harbour 6 33 39 45 137 182 221Total 587 217 804 762 491 1253 2,057

Number of Incidents

Water Police VMR Combined TotalInshore Offshore Total Inshore Offshore Total

Eden 0.9% 0.9% 1.8% 1.8% 4.2% 6.0% 7.9%Port Kembla 0.2% 0.6% 0.9% 4.6% 6.9% 11.5% 12.4%Botany Bay 6.8% 1.2% 8.0% 5.2% 0.8% 6.0% 14.0%Sydney 10.1% 2.2% 12.3% 5.9% 0.7% 6.7% 19.0%Broken Bay 5.9% 1.5% 7.4% 8.9% 0.6% 9.6% 17.0%Newcastle 2.3% 1.6% 3.9% 5.4% 1.4% 6.8% 10.7%Port Stephens 1.9% 1.0% 2.9% 2.9% 2.5% 5.4% 8.3%Coffs Harbour 0.3% 1.6% 1.9% 2.2% 6.7% 8.8% 10.7%Total 28.5% 10.5% 39.1% 37.0% 23.9% 60.9% 100.0%


94

An analysis of the causal factors of SAR incidents indicates the majority are created from in order:1. Mechanical failure2. Electrical failure3. Lack of adequate or contaminated fuel4. Medical evacuation required 5. Collision/ incident onboard

The NSW Police continue to carry out education/ training programs for volunteers and senior police who may be called upon to provide a coordinated marine rescue response within and offshore of NSW waters.

All Units Police/ Volunteer involved in Marine Rescue must be accredited through the NSW State Rescue Board with annual inspections of all assets conducted by Police/ Volunteer inspection teams. The accreditation/ mediation of issues is conducted through the Volunteer Marine Rescue Council who report and sit on the NSW State Rescue Board.

NSW Police have 15 accredited Marine Search and Rescue Coordinators located within the Marine Area Command. Training for marine Search and Rescue Coordination involves three levels training.

Local: One week certificate course in Marine Search and Rescue Coordination by NSW Marine Area Command through NSW Police College. (Prerequisite for State qualifications)

One week certificate course in Land Search and Rescue Coordination by Police Rescue Squad through NSW Police College.(Prerequisite for State qualifications) (Certificate)

State: Attainment in both the above courses. Diploma level through NSW Police College (prerequisite for National course attendance)

National: Two week course in Marine/Land Search and Rescue by National Police through Australian Maritime Safety Authority. (Associate Diploma)

Land SAR Report

The Police Rescue and Bomb Unit is the central point of contact and coordination support for NSW Police regarding all land search operations. SAR SOP’s require Police to notify the Rescue and Bomb Unit whenever a land search is launched.

Police Resources

10 Heavy Rescue Vehicles

12 Light/ Medium Rescue vehicles

110 Accredited Rescue Operators, performing vertical rescue in heights, depths and confined spaces, road, rail, air crash, building collapse, domestic and industrial rescues. Support to land search.

The Rescue HQ situated in Sydney operates 24 hours/ 365 days of the year.

There are 9 Accredited General Land and Vertical Rescue Units strategically located throughout New South Wales at the following locations:

HQ-Sydney, Newcastle, Lismore, Wollongong, Goulburn, Cooma, Springwood, Katoomba and Bathurst.

All Police Rescue Operators are skilled in field search and navigation which is a pre requisite to undertake the Co-ordinator course run through the Goulburn Police Academy. Only selected officers undertake State Land Search Operations Course (certificate). The next course state course is due to be run in the early part of 2006 comprising a further 12 students.


95

On completion of this course a limited number operators may progress through to the National course (NATSAR) conducted in Canberra.

To date, seven (State) Qualified Search Coordinators, and presently ten (NATSAR) Qualified Search Coordinators are located throughout the state Police Rescue Units.

New South Wales Police are assisted in the State by Land SAR Volunteers namely:

1. Volunteer Rescue Association.

2. State Emergency Service

3. Rural Fire Service.

Statistics are incomplete due to a small number of usual non notifications of a land based SAR’s occurring in the Local Area Commands and Regions. With further education and training these small numbers should decrease dramatically.

In 2003 34 notifications of a SAR of which 4 were responded to by a SAR Coordinator

1n 2004 52 Notifications of a SAR of which 8 were responded to by a SAR Coordinator.

In 2005 91 Notifications of a SAR of which 29 were responded by a SAR Coordinator.

The method of notification and recording has greatly improved over the past twelve months. The increase in the number of notifications and the request for attendance of a SAR co-ordinator is reflective of this change. In a majority of cases the missing person has been found prior to a co-ordinator arriving on scene. In some instances the search has been monitored with skilled advice and sound knowledge from an experienced operator at Zetland base achieving a positive outcome prior to a co-ordinator attending.

Break down of 2005 SAR incidents:

Beach area; 6.5%

Urban: 14.2%

Rural/ farming: 15.3%

National Parks: 40.6%

State Forest/Bush: 23.4%


96

Appendix 2D

Queensland Report


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Appendix 2E

Western Australia Report

The following statistics have been extracted from the WPCC and WAMSAR databases for the 2004/2005 fiscal year:No of WPCC Jobs 2293No of WPCC Hours 3740No WAMSAR Incidents 1255No of WAMSAR Man Hours 7644Fuel Expended 46000No of deaths 4No of Missing Persons believed deceased 3No of Injuries 20No of persons rescued 3333Also attached for your information are the statistics relating to the Incident Cause Codes.

WAMSAR INCIDENT CODES FOR 2004/05 FISCAL YEAR

BREAKDOWN CODES COLLISION CODES 1. Lack of Maintenance 12 1. Fail to Keep Proper Lookout 32. Operator Inexperience 6 2. Navigation Error 123. Flat battery 67 3. Poor Visibility 14. Out of fuel 124 4. Engine Failure 175. Fuel Blockage 199 5. Steering Failure 196. Fouled Propeller 8 6. Dangerous Navigation 27. Engine O/heat - Plastic Bag 3 7. Swim in Danger 28. Engine O/heat - Other 63 8. Hit Whilst Diving 19. Starter Motor 46 Total 5710. Fair Wear & Tear 13

11. Engine Seizure 58 AGROUND CODES 12. Electrical Failure 132 1. Navigation Error 4013. Gearbox Failure 74 2. Dragged Anchor 1114 Other breakdown 18 3. Poor Visibility 4

Total 823 4. Uncharted Obstruction 6Total 61

FLARE / EPIRB CODES 1. Ships Lights 22. Low Aircraft SUNK / CAPSIZE CODES 3. Planet Setting 1. Navigation Error 34. Meteorite 3 2. Structural Failure 335. Naval Gunfire 1 3. Rolled by Breaker 46. Unexplained 16 4. Hit Object 27. Hoax Flare 50 5. Stability 78. EPIRB False Alarm 28 6. Collision 9. Flare Overland 20 7. Broached

Total 120 8. Inexperienced 49. Pump Failure 6

MEDEVAC 10. Sail Craft Capsize 61. MEDEVAC 2 11. Weather 6

Total 2 Total 71


101

FIRE CODES VESSEL ADRIFT CODES 1. Electrical Fire 2 1. Left Unattended 52. Petrol Fire 1 2. Broke Free from Mooring 83. Diesel Fire 1 3. Set Adrift 34. Meteorite Total 165. Naval Gunfire 6. False / Mistaken Report 7 BODY SEARCH CODES

Total 11 1. Person Overboard 92. Person Swept Offshore 5

RADIO SKED / SAIL PLAN 3. Swimmer / Diver Missing 141. Flat Battery / Electrics 2 Total 282. Forgot Radio Schedule 83. Failed to Log Off 304. False mayday / Hoax 35. Failed to Amend ETR 176. Weather 6

Total 66 Grand Total 1255

Marine SAR activity of note

Missing elderly couple from a moored yacht

At 9.30 PM on Monday January 3rd 2005, an elderly couple intended to return to their yacht moored in Thomson Bay on the north side of Rottnest Island, using their inflatable sailing tender. The tender was not rigged for sailing, had no safety equipment or distress flares on board and was paddled from shore to their yacht (a distance of 150 meters) in a strong, 25 – 30 knot southerly wind.

The couple was reported missing by their daughter the next evening, approximately 20 hours after they set off from shore. Although regarded as extremely experienced sailors, the couple had failed to reach their yacht.

That same evening (Tuesday) a surface night search was carried out by 3 vessels in the 70 – 75 foot range, but had to be aborted by midnight due to deteriorating conditions.

On Wednesday a search utilising 12 vessels, 3 aircraft and a helicopter got underway but failed to locate the tender or missing persons. At 11 AM that day, the SARMC received a call from the skipper of a rock lobster boat advising that his crew had recovered a tender the previous evening at 6 PM, 30 minutes after the couple was reported missing and 21 hours after they set off to row to the yacht.

Based on this information the search area was recalculated and the search continued on Thursday. A straw hat and a paddle were located inside the search area that day, but could not be confirmed as belonging to the couple. In view of the age of the couple, the weather conditions at the time they went missing and the fact they had been in the water for at least 48 hours, the search was scaled down. The body of the missing woman was located the following morning 25 NM north of the location where the tender had been recovered. The missing male has not been found.

The couple was well known and highly regarded in sailing circles and the medical profession in Perth. This created a high media interest resulting in numerous offers of assistance from friends, relatives and the public being received in the Coordination Centre.

Tests on the tender were carried out by officers of the Water Police in the vicinity of where the yacht was moored and under similar wind conditions. The two most significant points resulting from the test were: 1) the sailing dinghy was not an easy vessel to paddle even for people in a fit conditions and


102

2) if the couple had been unable to get hold of the yacht when the wind was behind them on the way to the mooring, it would have been impossible for them to paddle back to the yacht into the strong wind conditions prevailing at the time.

Missing fishermen in the Esperance area exposed to cold waters

Two recreational fishermen in their mid twenties departed Esperance at 7 am on Tuesday August 16st 2005 in a 4.5 metre aluminium vessel powered by a 40 H.P. outboard motor to fish near Charley Island in Esperance Bay. The island is part of the Reserche Archipelago which consists of about 140 granite islands and numerous rocky islets. Very few of the islands have areas suitable for landing or mooring a vessel. There was a gale warning forecast for the area for that morning with seas up to 5 metres.

At about 10 am, as the skipper was raising the anchor to return to Esperance the vessel was swamped and sank. When one of the men failed to commence work that afternoon, his employer chartered a single engine aircraft to check on his whereabouts, however the searchers did not notice the people treading water amongst the granite boulders presumably because the pilot was searching for a vessel. The alarm was not raised until 3.30 pm and an evening search failed to locate the survivors. Coastal land searches were conducted throughout the night and AusSAR was requested to coordinate an air search for the following day.

At first light the following morning two rescue vessels departed under atrocious weather conditions to search the islands for possible survivors. One survivor was located on a rocky outcrop by 10 am and after being extracted from the island was taken to the hospital for observation. He was able to tell his rescuers that his companion had died at about 5 pm the previous day.

What is of interest in this SAR action is how the water temperature affected the men differently.

The water temperature in the area at this time of the year is between 120 and 140 C. The survivor was big and solidly build with a body mass of 180 kg whilst his friend was of a normal build and weighed approximately 80 kg.

During an interview with the survivor two days after the event he was able to relate how hypothermia had affected his companion: they entered the water at about 11am and within minutes his friend felt extremely cold. Attempts to climb onto the island were unsuccessful as the waves crashed them into the rocks and they were unable to get a foot hold. They swam back to where the boat had sunk as they felt that this would be the first location a rescue crew would look for them. A fuel tank attached to the boat by rope had surfaced and was used to keep them afloat. They adopted a position with the bigger person placing his arm around his friend to give him warmth and hanging onto the tank. This position was maintained most of the afternoon except for a brief moment when a tourist vessel was sighted and both men tried to swim to it and waving their arms. They were unsuccessful attracting attention.

At about 3 pm the aircraft chartered by their concerned employer flew overhead and lifted their spirits. When the aircraft turned back towards the mainland they were convinced that it was because they had been sighted and rescue was near. Shortly thereafter the lighter built person stopped responding to questions from his friend and passed away. They had been in the water for 5 hours.

The survivor attempted to tie the deceased to the rope but by now the tank was under water due to the incoming tide and the deceased slipped under the water. As night fell the survivor decided to swim to nearby Cull Island guided by the light of the navigation marker, a distance of two kilometres. Again he was unable to climb onto the island and was forced to swim away from the rock face for some distance to find relatively calmer water where he treaded water to stay afloat. The weather at the time was winds gusting to 50 knots and seas to 4 meters. To reduce the effect of wind chill he wrapped some clothing around his head.


103

As day broke he noticed a large number of seals swimming in the same area and became concerned about the presence of sharks and decided to swim to the other side of the island a distance of 1.5 kilometres. At about 8 am he located a sandy patch on the northern side of the island where he exited the water and found some shelter. At 10 am he was located and had to re-enter the water to swim to the rescue vessel, assisted by two divers.

He had been in the cold water for 22 hours during which time he actively planned and worked on his survival. Although suffering from hypothermia, he was discharged from hospital the following morning. The body of the deceased has not been recovered to date.

The remains of the vessel were recovered three days later. The vessel had been swamped and sank in 5 meters of water. The wave action had completely flattened the vessel and broken it in two.

Land Search and Rescue incidents in Western Australia 2004 - 2005-08-31

Last year 3,054 people were reported missing to the WA Police Service.

Of these people, 85% were found within the first week, and the majority being located within the first month. Most of these cases were handled by the Missing Persons Bureau.

The Emergency Operations Unit is responsible for conducting Land SAR training for police throughout the state and for providing support and advice during land search incidents. During 2004 – 2005 the Unit conducted 9 training sessions consisting of refresher courses (1 day) and full Landsar courses (5 days).

Land SAR statistics are incomplete as SAR actions are often dealt with at a local level and only those incidents requiring outside resources or are of sufficient media interest are brought to the attention of the Emergency operations Unit.

Approximately 37 cases required search teams to be dispatched

Land SAR activity of note

Missing Japanese Tourist, December 2004

Kuraji Tomita was a Japanese national who arrived in Western Australia on the 23rd of December 2004. The sole purpose of his travel to Western Australia was to climb Mount Augustus, with a scheduled return to Japan departing Perth on Singapore Airlines on 30th December 2004. A total holiday of 7 days.

Mt Augustus is located within the Mt Augustus National Park. The park is 490 kilometres east of Carnarvon via Gascoyne Junction and 360 kilometres west of Meekatharra and about 850 kilometres north-west of Perth. Much of the travel is on gravel roads. Minimal facilities are found at Mt Augustus National Park. Weather at Mt Augustus is extremely hot at this time of year with temperatures in the high thirty/low forty degrees centigrade.


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On Friday the 24th of December 2004, Kuraji Tomita travelled to Mt Augustus Tourist Resort, having hired a 4WD vehicle in Carnarvon. Travel arrangements indicate an intended departure date from the resort as the 27th of December 2004.

During the Friday evening Tomita dined in the main bar area of the resort and was invited by the resort manager to have Christmas lunch with resort staff the following day being Christmas Day.

Tomita was last scene at the resort sometime between 0700 and 0800hrs on Saturday the 25th of December, however was not noted as missing until late in the morning of the 26th of December. The resort manager conducted a preliminary search of the Mount Augustus car parks and located Tomita’s hire vehicle secured at the start of the Flintstones hiking trail. Flintstones trail is the favoured route to the summit and is described in CALM literature as a “12 kilometre return walk, only for the prepared and experienced bushwalker.” Having attempted to locate Tomita in the immediate vicinity, and having concern for his welfare, the resort manager returned to the resort and advised the police at 1:30 pm.

A civilian aircraft from an adjoining station was utilised to conduct a search during the late afternoon of the 26th with no sighting of Tomita by 6:30 pm.

Due to safety considerations there was a deliberate decision not to continue with ground searching during the hours of darkness.

Searchers arrived at the scene and began searching at 8:30 am 27th December. These searchers were flown from Geraldton via chartered plane.

At 1420 hours, Tomita was located deceased by a SES search team member on the descending search between Flintstones trail and Gully trail, approximately 10 metres from Flintstones trail and 275 metres from the car park. The body was in an extremely decomposed condition.

The long delay between the tourist going missing and notification to police delayed the commencement of a search in such hazardous conditions. This search highlighted the difficulty of conducting a SAR operation in remote inland areas, as many of the resources (human and physical) were hours away from attending either by road or air. Although many signs indicating that the walk was for well prepared and fit persons, the tourist did not take notice of these warnings and was not prepared for such a walk in the prevailing conditions. Hence, education of international tourists was discussed at length during the debrief.


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Tasmania ReportHelicopter Missions123 missions were flown for rescue purposes which included 8 missions for AusSAR.

Exercises11 exercises were conducted to test the capability of volunteer units such as the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, caving, bushwalking and SES personnel.

DivingDivers completed 26 tasks of which the majority were for stolen motor vehicles and stolen property.

A six week dive training course was conducted by the Underwater Training Centre. The Dive Centre successfully trained 11 personnel from 14 starters. All 11 personnel which includes 1 female are trained on scuba and surface supply to 30 metres. The Dive Centre provided Instructors and all lecture material to enable the divers to be trained to Australian Diving Standards.

Land SquadLand Squad were tasked with 20 callouts. The majority of calls were from lone walkers or persons suspected of committing suicide. There were no major searches for overdue bushwalkers and all reported overdue bushwalkers were located.

DrowningsThere were no drownings from recreational vessels since the 2004 National Search and Rescue Council meeting. One commercial fisherman drowned at Coles Bay. His body being located approximately 4 hours after his disappearance.

Helicopter OperationsRotorlift have retained the contract for Tasmania Police. The BK117 still remains as the primary aircraft with a back-up Squirrel which may be upgraded to twin engine.

Appendix 2F


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National SAR Council Meetings1. Melbourne, DOT (ATG), December 1976.2. Canberra, DOT (STG), 6-7 December 1977.3. Adelaide, SA Police, 5-6 December 1978.4. Hobart, TAS Police, 27-28 November 1979.5. Brisbane, QLD Police, 25-27 November 1980.6. Sydney, NSW Police, 25-26 November 1981.7. Melbourne, VIC Police, 8-10 February 1983.8. Canberra, Defence, 18-20 September 1984.9. Perth, WA Police, 3-5 September 1985.10. Darwin, NT Police, 19-21 August 1986.11. Adelaide, SA Police, 29 September -1 October 1987.12. Hobart, TAS Police, 20-22 September 1988.13. Brisbane, QLD Police, 31 October -2 November 1989.14. Sydney, NSW Police, 23-25 October 1990.15. Melbourne, VIC Police, 22-24 October 1991.16. Canberra, AFP, 27-29 October 1992.17. Perth, WA Police, 27-29 October 1993.18. Darwin, NT Police, 17-19 August 1994.19. Adelaide, SA Police, 27-29 September 1995.20. Hobart, TAS Police, 19-21 November 1996.21. Brisbane, QLD Police, 18-20 November1997.22. Sydney, NSW Police, 10-12 November 1998.23. Melbourne, VIC Police, 12-14 October 1999.24. Canberra, AFP, 14-16 November 2000.25. Perth, WA Police, 11-12 September 2001.26. Darwin, NT Police, 10-11 October 2002.27. Adelaide, SA Police, 13-14 November 2003.28. Hobart, TAS Police, 18-19 November 2004.29. Brisbane, QLD Police, 17-18 November 2005.