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Aviation History
1977
1977 - 0029.PDF
FtlGHT International, I jam :' and rescue An accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the search and rescue organisation and its routines is one of the best defences against the "It can't happen to me" syndrome. J. D. FERGUSON* describes Britain's search and rescue system. THE PROVISION of air search and rescue (SAR) facilities throughout the UK has long been recognised as a Government responsibility, and, is largely a military commitment. Like many other countries, Britain has an international obligation under various air and marine treaties to provide SAR facilities for aviators and seamen of all nationalities. Most professional fliers are well aware of how SAR handles various types of incident. But too many part-time pilots, and a number employed by some smaller operators, have only a very vague notion of the organisation. The way in which the various agencies work together under the SAR "umbrella" seems to have escaped their notice. The UK has been divided into two Icao search-and- rescue regions co-ordinated from Plymouth and Edinburgh. Each is controlled by a Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC), one at Mount Batten near Plymouth and the other at Pitreavie near Edinburgh. Each lies deep within a mili tary complex, something which is of immediate benefit when equipment, communications or specialist personnel are required. The coast of the Irish Republic comes under the control of Shannon RCC, but UK military authorities can readily assist at any incidents which overstretch Irish resources. The involvement of the military in all aspects of air borne SAR is natural, as some form of full-time organisa tion to deal with its own incidents is clearly essential. At * The author has been a member of the Aberdeen Inshore Lifeboat crew for the past seven years and is responsible for liaison betwen the local Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Dyce-based aviation interests.
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