ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR/29-WP.

24
International Civil Aviation Organization 5 October 2022
ENGLISH ONLY
WORKING PAPER

Agenda item 4

ICAO/IMO JOINT WORKING GROUP

ON HARMONIZATION OF AERONAUTICAL
AND MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE (ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR)

TWENTY-NINTH MEETING

SAR OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES, PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES

Comments on ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR/29-WP.5 on Aircraft Electronic Night Search Guidance

Presented by the United States

SUMMARY
Executive This document provides comments on document
summary: ICAO/IMO JWG- SAR/29-WP.5 (Australia).
Action to be taken: Paragraph 3.1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 This document provides comments as requested in paragraph 3.1.2 of document

ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR/29-WP.5 (Australia).

2 DISCUSSION

2.1 ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR/29-WP.5 builds upon the document Australia presented at JWG
25. Multiple United States SAR professionals made a quick review of the specific information
proposed for inclusion within the IAMSAR Manual, Volume II. There was general agreement that
the information on aircraft electronic night search provides valuable supplemental guidance for
the SAR mission coordinator. The United States supports the inclusion of this concept in the 2025
edition of the IAMSAR Manual but with some issues to resolve first.

ICAO-IMO JWG SAR-29.WP.24

 ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR/29-WP.24 -2-

2.2 Specific comments on ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR/29-WP.5 are:

2.2.1 Agreement that the concept is worthwhile as a supplement to the guidance in

IAMSAR Manual, Volume II, but that it has not undergone the same rigorous analysis or long
history of practice that the other types of search patterns in Volume II have experienced. With that
in mind, it may be more appropriate to have the proposed amendment match the level of detail
now provided for the other types of search patterns as shown in Volume II, chapter 5.

2.2.2 The "General Considerations" were favourably viewed and could be appropriate as an
appendix to Volume II but other options should also be considered, such as:

.1 merging with an existing appendix. This does not reduce the number of pages
but it does reduce the number of standalone appendices and consolidates
related topics;

.2 discussion should include the concern and possible solution identified in

ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR/29-WP.11 by the United Kingdom. That document invites
the JWG to consider how the additional information regarding windfarms could
be made available to the SAR community. An example provided was by means
of an IMO COMSAR circular (but an IMO document might not be easily
accessible to aeronautical RCCs); and

.3 establishing a separate electronic library for SAR documents and have the
IAMSAR Manual refer to that link. ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR/29-WP.21 by the
ICAO Secretariat, paragraph 3.1.2, invites the JWG to determine the best
location for the SAR calendar. If a location is selected then it might also serve a
broader need such as also being a repository for other tentative appendices or
existing appendices that could be deleted but retained for historic purposes.

2.2.3 The list of acronyms and glossary definitions appear to coincide with those used by
United States SAR services, other national agencies and industry. However, others should also
confirm the correctness of this list.

3 ACTION REQUESTED OF THE JWG

3.1 The JWG is invited to consider and discuss the comments in section 2 of this document.

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ICAO-IMO JWG SAR-29.WP.24