Search and rescue

GEN 3.6 Search and rescue

1 Responsible service

The search and rescue service in Georgia is provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Defense. Coordination Centers are established by the Maritime Agency (MRCC) and the Civil Aviation Agency in collaboration with "Sakaeronavigatsia" Ltd (ARCC).

All search and rescue operations over land are coordinated by ARCC. Search and rescue operations over sea are coordinated by MRCC in cooperation with ARCC. All search and rescue operations are carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Defense.

When SAR operations are needed, Aviation Rescue Co-ordination Centre is established; the address is as follows:

Post:

Sakaeronavigatsia Ltd.
Rescue Co-ordination Centre
TBILISI/Tbilisi Airport
0198 Tbilisi, Georgia

Tel: (+995 32) 274 43 12

Fax: (+995 32) 274 44 77 150

AFS: UGGGYCYX

Email: resc@airnav.ge
arcc@airnav.ge

The service is provided in accordance with the provisions contained in ICAO Annex 12 — Search and Rescue.

2 Area of responsibility

SAR operations are provided within TBILISI FIR.

3 Types of service

3.1 Details of related rescue units are given in Table 3.6.3 — Search and Rescue Units. In addition, various elements of the State Police organization, the marine and the armed forces are also available for search and rescue missions, when required. The aeronautical, maritime and public telecommunication services are also available to the search and rescue organization.

3.2 All aircraft carry survival equipment, capable of being dropped, consisting of inflatable rubber dinghies equipped with medical supplies, emergency rations and survival radio equipment. Aircraft and marine craft are equipped to communicate on 121.500 MHZ, 123.100 MHZ, 500 KHZ, 2182 KHZ and 8364 KHZ. Ground rescue teams are equipped to communicate on 121.500 MHZ, 500 KHZ and 8364 KHZ. SAR aircraft and marine craft are equipped with direction-finding equipment.

Table 3.6.3 Search and Rescue Units
Name	Location	Facilities	Remarks
a	b	c	d
BATUMI	–	RV/RB	Cutters are equipped with inflatable life preservers and jackets
TBILISI	–	SRG, HEL	Take-off readiness 30 min in summer and 45 min in winter

4 SAR agreements

MRCC has been designated a search and rescue point of contact (SPOC) for the receipt of COSPAS – SARSAT distress data.

5 Conditions of availability

5.1 Organisation and conduct of search and rescue for aircraft in distress or for survivors of aircraft accidents in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) areas and on the territory of Georgia and the States regardless of the nationality of such aircraft and survivors are conducted by the aviation search and rescue service.

5.2 All facilities and service are specialised in search and rescue operations.

6 Procedures and signals used

6.1 Procedures and signals used by aircraft

Procedures for pilots-in-command observing an accident or intercepting a distress call and/or message are outlined in ICAO Annex 12, Chapter 5.

6.2 Communications

Transmission and reception of distress messages within the Search and Rescue Area are handled in accordance with ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5, and para 5.3.

For communications during search and rescue operations, the codes and abbreviations published in ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (Doc 8400) are used.

The frequency 121.500 MHZ is guarded continuously during the hours of service at all area control centres and flight information centres. It is also available at TBILISI/Tbilisi approach control and aerodrome control offices.

Rescue aircraft belonging to permanent Search and Rescue Units use both the call sign RESCUE and additional identification marks (ALFA, BRAVO, CHARLIE, etc.) during rescue operations.

6.3 Search and rescue signals

The search and rescue signals to be used are those prescribed in ICAO Annex 12, Chapter 5, para 5.10.

Ground/air visual signal codes for use by survivors

NR	Message	Code symbol
1	Require assistance
2	Require medical assistance
3	No or Negative
4	Yes or Affirmative
5	Proceeding in this direction
Instructions for use: Make signals not less than 8 FT (2.5 M). Take care to lay out signals exactly as shown. Provide as much colour contrast as possible between signals and background. Make every effort to attract attention by other means such as radio, flares, smoke, reflected light.