Maritime Search and Rescue Trainings 

Search and rescue training is a type of training that prepares individuals to locate and rescue people who are lost or in distress. This type of training may be provided to volunteers, professionals, or both, and may cover a wide range of topics, coordination of resources, communication, drift factors, search patterns, and more.

Professional SAR personnel: Search and Rescue (SAR) training is often a requirement for professionals who work in the field of SAR. This training helps them to perform their duties safely and effectively.

Maritime professionals: Sea pilots, customs, deck officers/ masters and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Personell are maritime professionals who often come into contact with search and rescue (SAR), even though it is not part of their daily routine. We aim to prepare them to perform in a distress situation and provide professional assistance.

Military personnel: Military personnel may benefit from search and rescue (SAR) trainings, as they may be called upon to assist with ongoing SAR operations in various locations around the world.

First responders: First responders, such as firefighters, water police, police and emergency medical personnel, can benefit from search and rescue (SAR) training. It can help them to better understand the challenges and responsibilities associated with SAR operations, and to respond more effectively to incidents involving persons and ships in distress.

Sailors: sailors are often contacted by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) to assist them in search and rescue activities. Through proper SAR training, sailors will be able to understand and execute orders given by professional SAR personell. This can benefit them in two ways, it will make the communication with the maritime rescue coordination center easier and it can even benefit them if they are in distress themselves.

An on-scene coordinator (OSC) is a person who is responsible for managing and coordinating search and rescue (SAR) operations at the scene of an incident. They are responsible for coordinating the efforts of all on scene SAR personnel as well as all other resources available. They are obliged to keep their Maritime Rescue Coordination Center informed and receive orders from them to be executed.

There are a number of ways to train for the role of on-scene coordinator (OSC) in search and rescue (SAR) operations.
Here are some general steps that may be involved in training for this role:

1. Complete OSC Basic Course: In order to become an OSC, you will typically need to complete a basic SAR training course. This may include training in topics such as coordination of resources, execution the rescue plan, monitoring of units, communication, and search patterns. Having completed the theoretical part of the OSC basic course you then have the opportunity to transfer that knowledge into skills through training in our simulator. In the simulator we will start with scenarios where the participants can practice search patterns and organizing units into parallel courses. Gradually increasing the tasks for the On Scene Coordinator to prepare them for the reality.

2. Complete the OSC Advanced Course: After having completed the OSC basic course it is advised to complete the advanced course. This may include training in command and control of units, crew resource management, problems for an SOC arising from a complex SAR Missions and how to cope, and more. We will round up the training by implementing these topics in the scenarios of the simulator training.

3. Refresh the learned skills: The role of OSC is a dynamic and challenging one, and it is important to continue learning and growing as an OSC. This may include participating and refreshing the OSC training and development opportunities to stay up-to-date on best practices and new techniques.

The IMO model course for search and rescue On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) is intended for those who may be tasked with the duties and responsibilities of an OSC during a search and rescue incident. This course helps to ensure that states meet their obligations under international conventions, including the Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), by providing knowledge and training to OSCs.

Based on the content of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual Vol.III, this course is intended to provide an introduction to the organization of a maritime search and rescue (SAR) service in general and train the specific functions and tasks of the On-Scene Coordinator. It provides an overview on the SAR system as laid down in the above mentioned relevant conventions and the three volumes of the IAMSAR Manual. The course cover the coordination of SAR operations, initial action by assisting craft, search and rescue functions, on-scene coordination and on board emergencies.

The IAMSAR Manual is a comprehensive guide to organizing and providing search and rescue (SAR) services in both the aviation and maritime sectors. It is jointly published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The manual is divided into three volumes, each of which can be used independently or in conjunction with the other volumes to provide a full view of the SAR system.

Volume I of the IAMSAR Manual, entitled "Organization and Management," covers the global SAR system concept, the establishment and improvement of national and regional SAR systems, and cooperation with neighboring states to provide effective and economical SAR services.

Volume II, "Mission Coordination," is intended for personnel who plan and coordinate SAR operations and exercises.

Volume III, "Mobile Facilities," is designed to be carried on board rescue units, aircrafts, and vessels to help with the performance of search, rescue, and on-scene coordinator functions, as well as with aspects of SAR that relate to their own emergencies.