Induction Module Four

Induction Module Four Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

No module outline !! what…? … before we start .. ‘Question Time’ Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

Background Information - Some Abbreviations Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

Background Information - continued - Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR) Coordinates Australia's civil search and rescue (SAR) activities. AusSARis responsible for search and rescue over a vast area of the Indian, Pacific and Southern oceans. A subset of AusSAR is the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The centre operates 24 hours a day utilising the latest satellite distress and communications technology. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, Emergency Locator Transmitters and Personal Locator Beacons are the prime source of distress alerts. Using the international COSPAS-SARSAT satellite-aided search and rescue system, AusSAR greatly improves the early detection of distress signals and the chances of saving lives. Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

Induction - 4 • Operating Procedures – SOPs and UOPs SOPs - Marine Standing Operational Procedures are determined by the State Rescue Board Sussex Inlet UOPs – Unit Operating Procedures are developed within a Marine Rescue unit or group of units to enhance operations or to take care of local, unit specific, requirements Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

The State Recue Board Chairman - Michael Gallacher NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM. NSW Rural Fire Service • Greg Rochford PSM. Ambulance Service of NSW • Stacey Tannos ESM. Marine Rescue NSW David Owens APM. State Emergency Operations Controller • Russell Ashdown NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc Murray Kear AFSM. NSW State Emergency Service • Greg Mullins AFSM . Fire and Rescue NSW Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

Summary of the Duties of the State Rescue Board • Formulate rescue policy • Make recommendations to the Minister on policy relating to the provision of rescue services • Review planning for single incident rescues • Review and disseminate information • Ensure proper liaison and coordination with Federal and other State organizations • Provide advice and recommendations on the compatibility of rescue equipment, including communications equipment Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

Summary of the Duties of the State Rescue Board - continued • Oversee the accreditation of rescue units – both permanent and volunteer • Make recommendations to the Minister on the extent of government assistance – including financial support to organizations providing rescue services • Assist in the conduct of training exercises in recue operation involving more than one rescue agency • Monitor Training standards • Review changes and amendments to legislation relating to rescue • Make incidental reports or recommendations to the Minister on any matter referred to the Board • make recommendations to the Minister on the accreditation of rescue units (both permanent and volunteer) for participation in rescue operations Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

Marine Rescue’s operational guidelines are set by the SRB in Marine Standing Operating Procedures or SOPs. If you are unsure of any SOP consult the ‘Green Book’. This is always at hand in the Terrey Hills Radio Room. Web http://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/media/406.pdf Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

There are 13 SOPs, covering all aspects of MRNSW operations In this Session the first eight will be briefly summarised SOP 01 - Monitoring Vessels Departing and Returning to Same Port SOP 02 - Monitoring Transitory Vessels SOP 03 - Overdue or Missing Vessels SOP 04 - Maintaining Records in a Centre SOP 05 - Duty Operator Responsibilities SOP 06 - Police Reportable Incidents SOP 07 - Procedure For Persons or Vessels in Distress SOP 08 - Procedure For Vessels Requiring Assistance SOP 09 - Decision to Proceed to Sea SOP 10 - Search and Rescue Coordination SOP 11 - Flare Sightings SOP 12 - EPIRBs SOP 13 - Marine Accreditation Inspections Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOPs apply to all 47 NSW Marine Rescue Units* *Search and Rescue Coordination Centres underlined Point Danger Kingscliff Brunswick Cape Byron Ballina Evans Head Iluka – Yamba Wooli Woolgoolga Coffs Harbour Trial Bay Port Macquarie Camden Haven Crowdy - Harrington Forster - Tuncurry Port Stephens-Nelson Head Pt Stephens – Lemon Tree Passage Newcastle Lake MacquarieNorah Head Tuggerah Lakes The Entrance Central Coast-Terrigal Central Coast-Gosford Hawkesbury-Mooney Mooney Hawkesbury Wisemans Ferry Hawkesbury-Peat Island Broken Bay – Cottage Point Broken Bay – Pittwater Sydney (Terrey Hills) Middle Harbour Port Jackson - Birkenhead Botany Bay – Brighton-le-Sands Solander Pt Hacking (?) Woolongong Port Kembla Shoalhaven Jervis Bay Sussex Inlet Ulladulla Kioloa Batemans Bay Narooma Bermagui Merimbula Eden Sussex Inlet Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 01 - Monitoring Non Transitory Vessels Applies to vessels planning to depart and return to the same port. Notification can be received by radio or phone. Example - The skipper of an aluminium trailer boat calls MRS via an onboard marine radio “… Marine Rescue Sydney, this is ‘Reel Angry’. I am departing Foreshore Drive boat ramp, Botany Bay, my plan is to motor to Brown’s Mountain to fish. I’m returning to Foreshore Drive later this evening. I would like to log on. …” Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 01 - Monitoring Non Transitory Vessels - continued • Using correct radio protocol the Radio Operator at MR Terrey Hills will gather all the information required to complete a Log On pro forma • The vessel’s details are entered into the Offshore Tracking System – OTS • A hand written Communications Log entry is made which records a subset of essential details • The skipper should be made aware of any current weather warning or navigation hazards if they apply Monitoring of non transitory vessels is not mandatory. However, MRNSW does encourage MR Units to monitor these craft. Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 02 - Monitoring Transitory Vessels Applies to vessels planning to depart and return to a different port. Notification can be received by radio or phone. Example. The skipper of a sailing sloop calls-in “… Marine Rescue Sydney. I’d like to log on for a voyage from Alexandra Bay, Lane Cove River to Refuge Bay in Pittwater…” Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 02 - Monitoring Transitory Vessels - continued • Using correct radio protocol the Radio Operator at MR Terrey Hills will gather all the information required to complete a Log On pro forma • The vessel’s details are entered into the Offshore Tracking System – OTS • A hand written Communications Log entry is made which records a subset of essential details • The skipper should be made aware of any current weather warning or navigation hazards if they apply Monitoring of transitory vessels is mandatory Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 03 - Overdue or Missing Vessels Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

Why Marine Rescue didn’t receive a scheduled radio call “Didn’t you hear me call-in and log-off? We’re out of the water now and on our way home!” Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

“I heard you calling but I couldn’t get to the radio!” Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

“Sorry Mate. We were a bit busy for a while” Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

“We were having fun and forgot our scheduled radio check.” Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 03 - Overdue or Missing Vessels - continued When a vessel has not Logged-Off at the nominated time or the vessel is overdue for a scheduled position report the following action is to be taken without delay • The Watch Officer will immediately attempt to establish the status of the vessel and the people on board by contacting the vessel via • Calling on the radio frequencies used by the vessel in previous radio contacts • The onboard mobile telephone • The shore contact phone number - with utmost regard to causing undue alarm • Other MR Units where the vessel may have had radio contact • Other vessels in the area to confirm whether a visual contact is possible • Arrange for a check of boat ramps if details are known, either by volunteer marine members or if necessary the Police. • If the whereabouts of the vessel cannot be confirmed within one hour, the Watch Officer must contact MAC and provide the detailsrequested. Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 03 - Overdue or Missing Vessels - continued a Watch Officer has 1 hour to contact and determine the status of an overdue or missing vessel Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 04 - Maintaining Records All data entered into the OTS computer based system together with the Communications Log and any written forms are essential for the accurate collection of statistics for future analysis and referral. For example, Incident Reports are reviewed and examined to improve operational outcomes. Records also provide information should a Coronial or Judicial investigation be required. It is essential that all records are compiled in an accurate and legible manner. All written forms should be written in black or blue ballpoint pen. In the event of a mistake being made, a neat line is to be ruled through the original entry and the correct entry placed neatly immediately adjacent to the error together with the operator’s initials. Incorrect entries are not to be erased nor original entries made illegible. Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 4 Maintaining Records - continued Be aware that all times telephone calls and radio communications are recorded. During a MAYDAY all Radio Room dialogue is recorded. All MAYDAY responses are reviewed in their entirety by the Operations Officer – this includes all paperwork, computer entries, radio and telephone calls and Radio Room dialogue. Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 5 - Operator Responsibilities • At regular intervals during a watch and at change of watch the ‘Communications Log’ and ‘OTS’ must be checked to ensure • all vessels are entered • there are no outstanding matters • that contact with overdue or missing vessels has been attempted and recorded • ensure incident reports and all other relevant paperwork is filed Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 6 – Police Reportable Incidents • The Watch Officer must notify MAC whenever • A MAYDAY is received • A request for assistance is received from AusSAR • A person involved in an incident has died or sustained a possible life threatening injury • Advice is received that a person is in a life threatening situation • Advice is received that a vessel has or is in serious danger of sinking • A vessel is seriously disabled. MAC must be notified as soon as possible of incidents where there is no immediate threat to life or property but where the incident involves a significant injury or if collateral damage has or is likely to be sustained to a vessel, people on board, a facility or the environment. Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 7 - Vessels or Persons in Distress • Examples of a Distress or MAYDAY situation • ‘vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance’ • Person(s) Overboard • Life threatening injury or an unconscious person • Boat sinking • Explosion • Fire • Examples of an Urgent or PAN PAN situation • ‘an urgent situation of a lower order than a "grave and imminent threat requiring immediate assistance”’ • Mechanical breakdown • Loss of control of the vessel • Unable to navigate safely Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 7 - Vessels or Persons in Distress - continued If a SARCC receives a “Distress” or “Urgency” call from a vessel or is advised of a vessel or persons in distress the Watch Officer will immediately • Maintain contact with the vessel • Alert all other vessels in the area with either a PAN PAN or MAYDAY alert and • Follow the correct guidelines through to completion • If it is a MAYDAY the ‘Distressed Vessel’ become your priority task • Gather and record as much information about the vessel(s) on an Incident Running Sheet • Announce on DCN ‘a Red Alert’ • Inform MAC • Call for additional staff if necessary • Fill-in an “Incident Report” and fax to MAC after the completion of the incident Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

SOP 8 - Vessels Requiring Assistance If a SARCC receives a request for assistance from a vessel not involving injury to persons, damage to vessels or the need for search and/or rescue, and where there is no immediate danger to the vessel or its occupants • Examples of Vessels Requiring Assistance • run aground on a mudflat or sandbar • out of fuel or fuel contamination • cannot restart the engine • propeller fouled with rope • taken an abandoned vessel in tow • sited an unmanned vessel The Watch Officer should gather as much information about the vessel(s) involved and pass this onto the nearest manned MR unit to task an assist. If there are no MR units available, a request for assistance should be made to the nearest Water Police Unit. Fax an Incident Form to Police MAC after the incident has been resolved.

UOPs Unit Operating procedures - UOPs are developed internally to enhance and standardize local operations. Ideally, any MRO - Marine Radio Operator within a unit should discover that whoever they share the responsibilities of a Watch with, the expectation of what to do and how to do it are the same. • examples of standardized local tasks • Watch intervals and Watch duration • Communications Log entries • Unit sharing of weather broadcast scripts and times • radio language • channel usage suited to radio assets and the locality • cooperative agreements between different MR Units – example - Marine Rescue Port Jackson and Marine Rescue Terrey Hills – during peak radio traffic Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

End of Module Four Module Four - SOPs and UOPs

Induction Module Four