SAR Ops Range + Endurance

[L'aviateur]

A quick question, could anyone provide me with some outline figures for the maximum range from base out to sea SAR operations take place and the endurance and expected times for a rescue operation to take place. I believe the Sikorsky S-61 Seaking is the popular helicopter for these operations?

Also is the high line technique the preferred and method of recovery? Also finally, is it preferred that recovery from vessels take place when the vessel is stationary, or making way?

Thanks in advance.

[dipperm0]

Hoist ( hydraulic ou electric) is the preferred tool for recovery. Most NATO helicopter are equipped either with an 150 ft long or 300 ft long /500 pounds hoist cable, enabling the diver/rescue party to be hoisted with the casualty.

Hoisting on a ship is easier when underway, at normal cruise speed and a course if possible 30 deg right of headwind, depending on swell.

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Sea King Mk 3 and 3A have a Radius of Action (ROA) of 240nm when fully fuelled - that includes 30 mins on scene to effect the rescue and a 10% reserve.

The S61 has a different fuel tank layout and, when they were operating in UKSAR quoted between 190 and 205nm ROA.

The recovery depends on the size of vessel, the sea state and the time of day/night.

A vessel not underway usually sits cross-wind and cross-swell making it roll like a bastard.

In a big sea it is usually more comfortable for the boat to run down-sea which is often downwind and requires the helicopter to fly backwards in formation (not so difficult depending on wind strength).

Vessels under way, especially at speed, create their own apparent wind so it is often easier to operate parallel with the vessel or offset by 30-40 degrees to improve hover references.

The use of the hi-line usually depends on the size of the winching area available - into a yacht with lots of obstacles and a small cockpit, a hi-line would be best - onto a tanker with big open areas it's not neccessary.

Having said that, if it is a stretcher lift then we would normally use a hi-line for the deployment of the stretcher and the recovery of the casualty.

[L'aviateur]

Thank you very much for the reply.
Just a few more questions; I have been trained to allow the high line or winch to touch the deck first to discharge static electricity, is this a serious risk?
Also what is the preferred method of communication, is it Channel 16 or 121.5?

Finally, is there any particular advice or recommendations for large vessel crew/captains performing Medevacs which isn't specificially in the IAMSAR book?

[Um... lifting...]

Don't know about UK working frequencies, but ships will generally not be equipped with aviation VHF (they have no need for it on a daily basis), so 121.5 is probably out.
Static discharge is real. Depending upon the conductivity of the hi-line and weather conditions, allowing the line to touch the deck may not be sufficient to discharge static, but do allow it to touch before handling it.
Using a grounding wand or allowing the rescue device itself to touch the deck before handling is standard in the U.S. regardless of whether a line is used.
In the U.S., Ch. 16 is a distress and hailing frequency. Standard practice is to hail on 16 and then switch to a working channel once two-way is established. I gather (but may be mistaken) that practice is similar in Europe.
Direction of ship movement is going to depend (as crab states) upon sea state, wind, and other factors. One factor he didn't mention is seaway. The vessel may be constrained by a channel or other vessel traffic, so may be unable to take up the heading the helicopter might otherwise prefer. Going to a DIW (dead in the water) vessel is generally unpleasant.
crab's mention of hi-line techniques correlate with my experience as well. There is usually more than one way to carry out an operation. The key is to not choose the most risky way.

[Matthew Parsons]

From the Canadian side, very close to the numbers crab mentioned. For the last helicopter purchase, minimum performance was a 200nm radius with 30min on scene. Actual capability exceeds that, especially on the Atlantic where off shore platforms can be used to refuel.

Any boat that is rocking and has antennas/masts/outriggers reaching up high forces your hoist height to be high. We used to go lower for better references, but that was in a SAS only aircraft with no autopilot functions. With higher order FCS and good crew communication, good references are less of a consideration, but still desirable.

[Send'em]

"Also what is the preferred method of communication, is it Channel 16 or 121.5? "

I can only speak for part of the UK here ;

If the distressed vessel is in within marine VHF range of land then the coordinator will probably run everything on Marine VHF Channel 16 (156.800MHz) if it is a serious incident. (And by using the proword "Seelonce Mayday" tell everyone else to refrain from transmitting or "shut the f+++ up".)

The SAR Mission Coordinator may move comms to a working marine VHF channel, if it is a less serious event.

"Finally, is there any particular advice or recommendations for large vessel crew/captains performing Medevacs which isn't specificially in the IAMSAR book?"

Again this varies from country to country. In UK waters you can expect to be connected to a doctor by marine VHF to discuss the symptoms/injury and severity before a decision is made to medevac. Outside of coastal waters Inmarsat is often used for this.

I understand the USCG for example always use a rescue cage (may be wrong here) while UK helicopters will use a single strop, a double strop or one of a variety of stretchers as the case demands.

Since you seem to be asking as a Master or potential Master - The answer is that the coordinator will expect you to begin on marine VHF16 and then direct you to stay on that channel or use another, while the helicopter crew will select the place on the vessel they think is best and use the method they want to.

It all boils down to "the people doing the extraction will tell you what they want". This will probably involve steaming on the course they choose directly in into wind or at their preferred angle.

A significant point here is that the Master will be expected to conform to the "requests" of the rescuer.

[Um... lifting...]

I understand the USCG for example always use a rescue cage (may be wrong here) while UK helicopters will use a single strop, a double strop or one of a variety of stretchers as the case demands.

Not correct on this point, but the rest all sounds good. More or less similar to how the UK does it, though the "basket" as the USCG call it is a sentimental favorite due to various historical factors such as small cabins and a somewhat late arrival to the rescue swimmer/diver party.

As far as range, it will depend a lot on where on Spaceship Earth you're operating. The U.S. has areas that go offshore to only about 150nm and some areas if there's an appropriate unit with aerial refueling or that can island hop or lily pad (ship hop) that can go out several times that distance. The scope of your ship operations will essentially determine what available SAR assets are available throughout your area of operations.
While I can't speak for people worldwide, at least in the USCG case it is generally welcomed if you discuss these matters over a hot beverage on a pleasant day before things start going pear-shaped on a dark & stormy. Much like visiting ATC in their lair... they tend to be rather pleasant folk and not at all the ogres they can be on the radio.