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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Activate SAR support plan
   • Distress and emergency signals, and communications are recognised and evaluated
2. Type of emergency, and level and nature of assistance required is assessed and its practicability is considered
3. Communications are established, where possible, with the parties in distress, other vessels and relevant authorities/agencies
4. SAR parameters are identified based on available information
5. SAR strategy is developed based on all available information and after consultation with others in the established chain of command
6. Required resources are identified according to the strategy
7. Strategy is evaluated and reviewed as determined by the input of all information and review of available resources
8. Organisation and command chain with other stations involved in the SAR is established in collaboration with SAR authorities
9. Coordinate crew in SAR operations
   • Crew members are informed of the scenario and strategy
10. Crew members are briefed on their roles and responsibilities and the way the crew will operate, and are deployed to the required stations
11. Tasks are allocated to crew members according to their roles in the crew and level of competence
12. Confirmation is gained from crew members of their understanding of the scenario, their role and the roles of other crew members
13. Performance of crew members is monitored and reviewed as the scenario unfolds, to determine ongoing requirements
14. Directions are given to others involved in the SAR operation according to agreed plan and established chain of command
15. Manoeuvres of vessel are made according to agreed plan and with due regard to limits of the vessel and the environment
16. Feedback from crew members and others involved in the SAR operation is received and relayed to others according to agreed plan and established chain of command
17. Liaise with internal and external authorities/agencies
    • Radio communication is established and maintained with all parties involved in the SAR operations
18. Briefings are provided to appropriate people according to operational procedures
19. SAR progress is monitored and information is provided to internal and external authorities/agencies
20. Issues are negotiated with internal and external authorities/agencies
21. Resources are monitored and reviewed to meet changing requirements according to operational procedures
22. SAR problems/potential problems are identified and solutions are developed in liaison with internal and external authorities/agencies
23. Guidance and support are provided and sought from internal and external authorities/agencies according to requirements
24. Manage communications systems
    • Communications systems are identified as appropriate to the situation and the strategy
25. Communications systems are selected according to agreed plan and established chain of command
26. Communications systems are managed to provide optimum capability
    • Duration of the SAR operation is determined by the level of emergency
27. Instructions from internal and external authorities/agencies about the duration of the SAR are complied with
28. All information is collected and preserved
29. Debrief is conducted with relevant people involved
30. Items for improvement are identified and action is taken to have improvements built into support plans
    • Records of the SAR are made in the vessel log
31. Other documentation is completed as required by regulatory requirements
32. Reports are completed and disseminated according to organisational requirements

Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include: applying procedures from the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices attending to appropriate level of detail in recordkeeping establishing radio communications and following correct communications procedures at all stages of search and rescue (SAR) operations identifying and solving problems that may arise during SAR operations, reporting problems and issues, and taking appropriate action based on available information liaising effectively with internal and external authorities/agencies modifying activities according to vessel contingencies, risk situations and environments monitoring and anticipating hazards and risks that may arise during SAR operations and taking appropriate action planning to coordinate SAR operations according to international guidelines and standards providing one of the following high-quality reports: briefings to authorities initial advice forms management reports and briefings messaging systems taking appropriate initiative for SAR operations using relevant publications, charts, meteorological data, particulars of vessels involved, radio communications equipment and other available facilities.

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of: chain of command and organisational requirements used in SAR operations external authorities/agencies IAMSAR Manual limits of the vessel and the environment, including: fuel range prevailing weather propulsion sea conditions steering vessel stability maritime communications techniques applicable to SAR operations principles involved in determining the duration and scope of a SAR responsibilities when participating in SAR operations SAR techniques and procedures sequence of actions to be taken after sighting or receiving a distress signal or call for assistance types of emergency signals types of distress and emergency, and response required in each case, including: ditched aircraft person/s in distress in sea person/s in distress in survival craft vessel/s in distress types of search patterns and their application typical SAR problems and appropriate actions and solutions WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

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