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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION
TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP SAFDARJANG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI
CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 9 – AIR SPACE AND
AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
SERIES S PART I
ISSUE III, …. OCTOBER 2024 EFFECTIVE: FORTHWITH
F. No. DGCA-21044(17)/2/2018-ANS
Subject: Search and Rescue
INTRODUCTION
In pursuant to Article 25 (Aircraft in distress) of the Convention on International Civil
Aviation each contracting State undertakes to provide such measures of assistance to
aircraft in distress in its territory as it may find practicable, and to permit, subject to control
by its own authorities, the owners of the aircraft or authorities of the State in which the
aircraft is registered to provide such measures of assistance as may be necessitated by
the circumstances. Each contracting State, when undertaking search for missing aircraft,
will collaborate in coordinated measures which may be recommended from time to time
pursuant to this Convention. To this end the International Civil Aviation Organization
adopts and amend from time to time, as may be necessary, international standards and
recommended practices and procedures in Annex 12 dealing with search and rescue of
aircraft.
This CAR is issued under the provisions of Rule 29C and Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules,
1937 for the search and rescue of aircraft in distress over INDIA & over the regions where
INDIA has accepted to assume this responsibility as promulgated by Regional Air
Navigation Plan, ICAO & Global SAR plan, IMO
Applicability
This CAR is applicable to Search and Rescue organization responsible for provision and
coordination of Search and Rescue services in the Indian Search and Rescue region.
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1. DEFINITIONS
When the following terms are used in this CAR, they have the following
meanings:
Alerting post. Any facility intended to serve as an intermediary between a
person reporting an emergency and a rescue coordination centre or rescue
subcentre.
Alert phase. A situation wherein apprehension exists as to the safety of an
aircraft and its occupants.
Distress phase. A situation wherein there is a reasonable certainty that an
aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger and
require immediate assistance.
Ditching. The forced landing of an aircraft on water.
Emergency phase. A generic term meaning, as the case may be, uncertainty
phase, alert phase or distress phase.
Joint rescue coordination centre (JRCC). A rescue coordination centre
responsible for both aeronautical and maritime search and rescue operations.
Operator. A person, organization or enterprise engaged in or offering to
engage in an aircraft operation.
Pilot-in -command. The pilot designated by the operator, or in the case of
general aviation, the owner, as being in command and charged with the safe
conduct of a flight.
Rescue. An operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial
medical or other needs, and deliver them to a place of safety.
Rescue coordination centre (RCC). A unit responsible for promoting efficient
organization of search and rescue services and for coordinating the conduct
of search and rescue operations within a search and rescue region.
Rescue subcentre (RSC). A unit subordinate to a rescue coordination centre,
established to complement the latter according to particular provisions of the
responsible authorities.
Search. An operation normally coordinated by a rescue coordination centre or
rescue subcentre using available personnel and facilities to locate persons in
distress.
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Search and rescue aircraft. An aircraft provided with specialized equipment
suitable for the efficient conduct of search and rescue missions.
Search and rescue facility. Any mobile resource, including designated search
and rescue units, used to conduct search and rescue operations.
Search and rescue service. The performance of distress monitoring,
communication, coordination and search and rescue functions, initial medical
assistance or medical evacuation, through the use of public and private
resources, including cooperating aircraft, vessels and other craft and
installations.
Search and rescue region (SRR). An area of defined dimensions, associated
with a rescue coordination centre, within which search and rescue services are
provided.
Search and rescue unit. A mobile resource composed of trained personnel and
provided with equipment suitable for the expeditious conduct of search and
rescue operations.
State of Registry. The State on whose register the aircraft is entered.
Uncertainty phase. A situation wherein uncertainty exists as to the safety of an
aircraft and its occupants.
2. ORGANIZATION
2.1 Search and rescue services
2.1.1 Search & Rescue services over entire Indian Territory including territorial
waters are provided to ensure that assistance is rendered to aircraft &
persons in distress. Such services are provided on a 24-hour basis.
Note- Indian Government has assumed the responsibility of providing Search
and Rescue (SAR) cover in Indian Search & rescue regions (SRR).
Search and rescue services are provided over land areas by the National
Aeronautical Search & Rescue Coordination Committee (NASARCC)
designating Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation as its chairman & over
oceanic areas by National Maritime SAR Board (NMSARB) designating
Director General, Indian Coast Guard as its Chairman
2.1.1.1 Such services shall be provided within the entire Indian Territory
including territorial waters. Such services shall also be provided over
those portions of the high seas or areas of undetermined sovereignty
for which responsibility of providing Search & Rescue services has
been delegated to India.
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Note1 - Search & Rescue services over Indian Airspace excluding the
oceanic areas are coordinated by Airports Authority of India with
the SAR agencies.
Note2 - Search & Rescue services over Oceanic areas which form part of
Kolkata, Mumbai & Chennai FIR are provided by Indian Coast
Guard.
2.1.1.2 Search and rescue services shall include organized available
resources, communication facilities and a workforce skilled in
coordination and operational functions.
2.1.1.3 Search and rescue services shall establish processes to improve
service provision, including the aspects of planning, domestic and
international cooperative arrangements and training.
2.1.2 Assistance to aircraft in distress and to survivors of aircraft accidents shall
be provided regardless of the nationality or status of such persons or the
circumstances in which such persons are found.
2.1.3 Search and rescue services shall use search and rescue units and other
available facilities to assist any aircraft or its occupants that are or appear
to be in a state of emergency.
2.1.4 Coordination between the aeronautical and maritime rescue coordination
centres shall be ensured.
2.1.5 Intentionally left blank.
2.1.6 Joint rescue coordination centres may be established to coordinate
aeronautical and maritime search and rescue operations, where practical.
2.2 Search and rescue regions
2.2.1 Search and rescue regions shall be delineated to provide search and
rescue services. Such regions shall not overlap and neighbouring regions
shall be contiguous.
Note 1.— Search and rescue regions are established to ensure the
provision of adequate communication infrastructure, efficient distress alert
routing and proper operational coordination to effectively support search
and rescue services.
Note 2.— The delineation of search and rescue regions is determined on
the basis of technical and operational considerations.
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2.2.1.1 Search and rescue regions shall, in so far as practicable, be coincident
with corresponding flight information regions and, with respect to those areas
over the high seas, maritime search and rescue regions.
Note 1 – The Aeronautical SAR services are provided in Indian SRR
delineated & coinciding with four Flight Information Regions over land
area. Airports Authority of India coordinates SAR services through four
rescue Coordination Centres established at Delhi Mumbai, Kolkata &
Chennai FIRs,
Note 2- The Aeronautical & Maritime SAR services over the high seas in
Indian SRR are provided by Indian Coast Guard. The Maritime SRR is
generally harmonized with Aeronautical SRR in most areas, however the
Aeronautical SRR & the Maritime SRR extended over Arabian sea
(Western SRR) do not coincide. The area being over high seas, SAR
services are provided by Indian Coast Guard through three maritime
Rescue coordination centres (MRCCs) located at Mumbai, Chennai &
Port Blair as promulgated in National Maritime Search & rescue manual.
2.3 Rescue coordination centres and rescue sub centres
2.3.1 A rescue coordination centre shall be established in each search and
rescue region.
2.3.2 Intentionally left blank.
2.3.3 Each rescue coordination centre shall be staffed 24 hours a day by
trained personnel proficient in the use of the language used for radio-
telephony communications.
Note.-- The Rescue coordination Centres and Rescue Sub Centres shall
develop written job descriptions for each of their technical staff and shall
maintain the training records of its technical staff.
2.3.4 RCC personnel involved in the conduct of radiotelephony
communications shall be proficient in the use of the English language.
2.3.5 Where public telecommunications facilities does not permit persons
observing an aircraft in emergency to notify the rescue coordination
centre concerned directly and promptly, they should notify the nearest
police station.
2.3.6 Each rescue coordination centre and, as appropriate, rescue subcentre
shall maintain up-to-date contact details in the OPS Control Directory
2.3.7 Each rescue coordination centre and, as appropriate, rescue subcentre
shall subscribe and maintain access to the location of an aircraft in
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distress repository (LADR).
Note.-- Guidance on the use of the OPS Control Directory and the LADR
is contained in the Manual on Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety
System (GADSS) (Doc 10165).
2.4 Search and rescue communications
2.4.1 Each rescue coordination centre shall have means of rapid and reliable
two- way communication with:
a) associated air traffic services units;
b) associated rescue subcentres, where provided;
c) where appropriate, coastal radio stations capable of alerting and
communicating with surface vessels in the region;
d) the headquarters of search and rescue units in the region;
e) all maritime rescue coordination centres in the region and aeronautical,
maritime rescue coordination centres in adjacent regions;
f) a designated meteorological office or meteorological watch office;
g) search and rescue units;
h) alerting posts; and
i) INMCC, Bengaluru
2.4.2 Each rescue subcentre, where provided, shall have means of rapid and
reliable two- way communication with:
a) Parent RCC & if applicable ,adjacent rescue subcentres;
b) a meteorological office or meteorological watch office;
c) search and rescue units; and
d) alerting posts.
2.5 Search and rescue units
2.5.1 As part of Search and rescue units, other agencies that are suitably located
and equipped for search and rescue operations shall be designated for
search and rescue functions.
2.5.2 Agencies that do not qualify as search and rescue units but are nevertheless
able to participate in search and rescue operations shall be designated as
parts of the search and rescue plan of operation.
2.6 Search and rescue equipment
2.6.1 Search and rescue units shall be provided with equipment for locating
promptly, and for providing adequate assistance at, the scene of an accident.
2.6.2 Each search and rescue unit need to have means of rapid and reliable two-
way communication with other search and rescue facilities engaged in the
same operation.
2.6.3 Each search and rescue aircraft shall be equipped to be able to
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communicate on the aeronautical distress and on-scene frequencies and on
such other frequencies as may be prescribed.
2.6.4 Each search and rescue aircraft shall be equipped with a device for homing
on distress frequencies.
2.6.5 Each search and rescue aircraft, when used for search and rescue over
maritime areas, shall be equipped to be able to communicate with vessels.
Note.-- Until 25 November 2026, many vessels can communicate with
aircraft on 2182 kHz, 4125 kHz and 121.5 MHz. However, these frequencies,
and in particular 121.5 MHz, may not be routinely monitored by vessels.
Note.-- As of 26 November 2026, many vessels can communicate with
aircraft on 2182 kHz, 4125 kHz, 121.5 MHz and 123.1 MHz. However, these
frequencies, and in particular 121.5 MHz and 123.1 MHz, may not be
routinely monitored by vessels. Rather, vessels monitor Channel 16 (156.8
MHz), the international maritime distress, safety and calling frequency.
2.6.6 Each search and rescue aircraft, when used for search and rescue over
maritime areas shall carry a copy of the International Code of Signals to
enable it to overcome language
Each search and rescue aircraft, when used for search and rescue over
maritime areas shall carry a copy of the International Code of Signals to
enable it to overcome language difficulties that may be experienced in
communicating with ships.
Note.— The International Code of Signals is published in English, French
and Spanish by the International Maritime Organization as documents
I994E, I995F and I996S.
2.6.7 Difficulties that may be experienced in communicating with ships. Search
and Rescue signals are given in Appendix.
2.6.8 Unless it is known that there is no need to provide supplies to survivors by
air, at least one of the aircraft participating in a search and rescue operation
should carry droppable survival equipment.
2.6.9 Survival equipment suitable for dropping by aircraft should be made
available.
As of 26 November 2026, each search and rescue aircraft, when used for
search and rescue over maritime areas, should carry a droppable device
for measuring actual surface drift.
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3 COOPERATION
3.1 Cooperation between States
3.1.1 Search and Rescue organization shall be coordinated with those of
neighbouring States. Intentionally left blank.
3.1.2 Whenever necessary, Rescue and Coordination Centre (RCC) should shall
coordinate their search and rescue operations with those of neighbouring
States RCC especially when these operations are proximate to adjacent
search and rescue regions.
3.1.2.1 Intentionally left blank.
3.1.3 Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, National Aeronautical
Search & Rescue Coordination Committee (NASARCC) may permit entry
into its territory of search and rescue units of other States for the purpose
of searching for the site of aircraft accidents and rescuing survivors of such
accidents.
3.1.4 For the purpose of search and rescue, the authorities of the other State
who wish their search and rescue aircraft to enter the territory of India shall
transmit a request, giving full details of the projected mission and the need
for it, to Directorate General of Civil Aviation as per prescribed procedure
in AIP India.
Note : For the purpose of Search and Rescue, authorities of other state who wish their
Search and rescue unit to enter the territory of India (Land area) shall forward request
to National Aeronautical Search & Rescue Coordination Committee (NASARCC).
3.1.4.1 NASARCC or DGCA as applicable , shall:
— acknowledge the receipt of such a request, and
— as soon as possible, indicate the conditions, if any, under which the
projected mission may be undertaken.
3.1.5 Agreements should be made with neighbouring States to strengthen search
and rescue cooperation and coordination, setting forth the conditions for entry
of each other’s search and rescue units into respective territories. These
agreements should also provide for expediting entry of such units with the
least possible formalities. Intentionally left blank
3.1.6 Rescue Coordination Centres are authorized to request assistance from other
rescue coordination centres as may be needed.Intentionally left blank
3.1.7 Rescue Coordination Centres are authorized to provide, when requested,
assistance to other rescue coordination centres. Intentionally left blank
3.1.8 Organizations providing search and rescue services should make
arrangements for joint training exercises involving their search and rescue
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units, those of other States and operators, in order to promote search and
rescue efficiency.
Until 25 November 2026, Contracting States should make arrangements
for joint training exercises involving their search and rescue units, those of
other States and operators, in order to promote search and rescue
efficiency.
As of 26 November 2026, Contracting States should make arrangements
for joint training exercises involving their RCCs, RSCs and search and
rescue units, those of other States and operators, in order to promote
search and rescue efficiency.
3.1.9 Intentionally left blank
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3.2 Cooperation with other services
3.2.1 All aircraft, vessels and local services and facilities which do not form part
of the search and rescue organization shall cooperate fully with the latter
in search and rescue and to extend any possible assistance to the survivors of
aircraft accidents.
3.2.2 Close coordination shall be maintained between the aeronautical and
maritime authorities to provide for the most effective and efficient search
and rescue services.
3.2.3 Search and rescue services shall cooperate with those responsible for
investigating accidents and with those responsible for the care of those
who suffered from the accident.
3.2.4 To facilitate, accident investigation, rescue units should, when practicable,
be accompanied by persons qualified in the conduct of aircraft accident
investigations.
3.2.5 A search & Rescue point of contact shall be designated for the receipt of
COSPAS- SARSAT distress data.
Until 25 November 2026, States shall designate a search and rescue point
of contact for the receipt of Cospas-Sarsat distress data.
As of 26 November 2026, States shall designate a 24-hour search and
rescue point of contact available for the receipt and acknowledgement of
Cospas-Sarsat distress alert data that ensures timely notification to the
responsible RCC for the initiation of appropriate search and rescue
response action.
3.3 Dissemination of information
3.3.1 Information necessary for the entry of search and rescue units of other
States shall be contained in Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), or
alternatively, in the search and rescue service arrangements, if any.
3.3.2 Intentionally left blank
3.3.3 Intentionally left blank
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4 PREPARATORY MEASURES
4.1 Preparatory information
4.1.1 Each rescue coordination centre shall have readily available at all times
up-to-date information concerning the following in respect of its search and
rescue region:
a) search and rescue units, rescue subcentres and alerting posts;
b) air traffic services units;
c) means of communication that may be used in search and rescue
operations;
d) addresses and telephone numbers of all operators, or their designated
representatives, engaged in operations in the region; and
e) any other public and private resources including medical and transportation
facilities that are likely to be useful in search and rescue.
4.1.2 Each rescue coordination centre need to have readily available all other
information of interest to search and rescue, including information
regarding:
a) the locations, call signs, hours of watch, and frequencies of all radio stations
likely to be employed in support of search and rescue operations;
b) the locations and hours of watch of services keeping radio watch, and the
frequencies guarded;
c) locations where supplies of droppable emergency and survival equipment are
stored;
d) objects which it is known might be mistaken for unlocated or unreported
wreckage, particularly if viewed from the air;
e) as of 26 November 2026, the position, course and speed of aircraft that may
be able to provide assistance to aircraft in distress; and
e)f) as of 26 November 2026, where the search and rescue region includes maritime
areas, the position, course and speed of ships that may be able to provide
assistance to aircraft in distress.
4.1.3 Until 25 November 2026,Each each rescue coordination centre whose search
and rescue region includes maritime areas should have ready access to
information regarding the position, course and speed of ships within such areas
that may be able to provide assistance to aircraft in distress and information on
how to contact them.
Note.—This information may either be kept in the rescue coordination
centres or be readily accessible.
4.1.4 National Maritime Search and Rescue Unit need to, individually or in
cooperation with other States, either establish ship reporting systems in
cooperation with maritime authorities or arrange communication links with Amver
or regional ship reporting systems to facilitate search and rescue operations at
sea.
Note.— Amver is a cooperative international ship reporting system with
worldwide coverage that is available for interrogation by all rescue coordination
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centres.
4.2 Plans of operation
4.2.1 Each rescue coordination centre shall prepare detailed plans of operation for
the conduct of search and rescue operations within its search and rescue
region.
4.2.2 Search and rescue plans of operations should be developed jointly with
representatives of the operators and other agencies that may assist in
providing search and rescue services or benefit from them, taking into account
that the number of survivors could be large.
4.2.3 The plans of operation shall specify arrangements for the servicing and
refueling, to the extent possible, of aircraft, vessels and vehicles employed in
search and rescue operations.
4.2.4 The search and rescue plans of operation should contain details regarding
actions to be taken by those persons engaged in search and rescue, including:
a) the manner in which search and rescue operations are to be conducted in the
search and rescue region;
b) the use of available communication systems and facilities;
c) the actions to be taken jointly with other rescue coordination centres;
d) the methods of alerting en-route aircraft and ships at sea;
e) the duties and prerogatives of persons assigned to search and rescue;
f) the possible redeployment of equipment that may be necessitated by
meteorological or other conditions;
g) the methods for obtaining essential information relevant to search and rescue
operations, such as weather reports and forecasts, appropriate
NOTAM, etc;
h) the methods for obtaining, from other rescue coordination centres, such
assistance, including aircraft, vessels, persons or equipment, as may be
needed;
i) as of 26 November 2026, the methods for obtaining approval to allow search
and rescue units from an assisting State to enter into the territory of the State
of the RCC;
j) the methods for assisting search and rescue or other aircraft to proceed to
aircraft in distress; and
k) cooperative actions taken in conjunction with air traffic services units and other
authorities concerned to assist aircraft known or believed to be subject to
unlawful interference.
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4.2.5 Search and rescue plans of operation should be integrated with airport
emergency plans to provide for rescue services in the vicinity of aerodromes
including, for coastal aerodromes, areas of water.
4.3 Search and rescue units
4.3.1 Each search and rescue unit shall:
a) be cognizant of all parts of the plans of operation prescribed in 4.2 that are
necessary for the effective conduct of its duties; and
b) keep the rescue coordination centre informed of its preparedness.
4.3.2 Each search and rescue unit shall:
a) maintain in readiness the required number of search and rescue facilities; and
b) maintain adequate supplies of rations, medical stores, signalling devices and
other survival and rescue equipment.
4.4 Training and exercises
Until 25 November 2026, to achieve and maintain maximum efficiency in
search and rescue, Contracting States shall provide for regular training of their
search and rescue personnel and arrange appropriate search and rescue
exercises.
As of 26 November 2026, to achieve and maintain maximum efficiency in
search and rescue, Contracting States shall provide for regular training and
exercises for their search and rescue personnel, which include both land and
maritime environments as appropriate, containing both search and rescue
elements, remote from an aerodrome.
Note.— The need for regular training and exercises may be moderated
commensurate with the frequency of real search and rescue responses which
demonstrate satisfactory and effective search and rescue performance.
4.5 Wreckage
(Applicable until 25 November 2026)
Each Contracting State should ensure that wreckage resulting from aircraft
accidents within its territory or, in the case of accidents on the high seas or in
areas of undetermined sovereignty, within the search and rescue regions for
which it is responsible, is removed, obliterated or charted following completion
of the accident investigation, if its presence might constitute a hazard or
confuse subsequent search and rescue operations.
Accident sites and wreckage
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(applicable as of 26 November 2026)
4.5.1 Contracting States shall ensure that search and rescue personnel that may be
required to respond to an aircraft accident site are trained in the management
of related occupational health risks.
Note.— Guidance related to effective occupational health practices at aircraft
accident sites is contained in the Manual of Aircraft Accident and Incident
Investigation, Part I – Organization and Planning (Doc 9756) and Circular 315
– Hazards at Aircraft Accident Sites.
4.5.2
Each Contracting State should ensure that wreckage resulting from aircraft
accidents within its territory or, in the case of accidents on the high seas or in
areas of undetermined sovereignty, within the search and rescue regions for
which it is responsible, is removed, obliterated or charted following completion
of the accident investigation, if its presence might constitute a hazard or
confuse subsequent search and rescue operations.
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5 OPERATING PROCEDURES
5.1 Information concerning emergencies
Any authority or any element of the search and rescue organization having reason to
believe that an aircraft is in an emergency shall give immediately all available information
to the rescue coordination centre concerned.
5.1.1 Rescue coordination centres shall, immediately upon receipt of
information concerning aircraft in emergency, evaluate such information and
assess the extent of the operation required.
5.1.2 When information concerning aircraft in emergency is received from other
sources than air traffic services units, the rescue coordination centre shall
determine to which emergency phase the situation corresponds and shall apply
the procedures applicable to that phase.
5.2 Procedures for rescue coordination centres during emergency phases
5.2.1 Uncertainty phase
Upon the occurrence of an uncertainty phase, the rescue coordination centre
shall cooperate to the utmost with air traffic services units and other appropriate
agencies and services in order that incoming reports may be speedily
evaluated.
5.2.2 Alert phase
Upon the occurrence of an alert phase the rescue coordination centre shall
immediately alert search and rescue units and initiate any necessary action.
5.2.3 Distress phase
Upon the occurrence of a distress phase, the rescue coordination centre shall:
a) immediately initiate action by search and rescue units in accordance with the
appropriate plan of operation;
b) ascertain the position of the aircraft, estimate the degree of uncertainty of this
position, and, on the basis of this information and the circumstances, determine
the extent of the area to be searched;
c) notify the operator, where possible, and keep the operator informed of
developments;
d) notify other rescue coordination centres, the help of which seems likely to be
required, or which may be concerned in the operation;
e) notify the associated air traffic services unit, when the information on the
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emergency has been received from another source;
f) request at an early stage such aircraft, vessels, coastal stations and other
services not specifically included in the appropriate plan of operation and able to
assist to:
1) maintain a listening watch for transmissions from the aircraft in distress,
survival radio equipment or an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT);
Note.— The frequencies for ELTs are 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz
Note.— Until 25 November 2026, the frequencies contained in
the specifications for ELTs given in Annex 10, Volume III, are
121.5 MHz and 406 MHz.
Note.— As of 26 November 2026, the frequencies contained in
the specifications for ELTs given in Annex 10, Volume III, are
121.5 MHz and 406.0 to 406.1 MHz. The CospasSarsat 406
MHz channel assignment plan is contained in Cospas-Sarsat
Document C/S T.012
2) assist the aircraft in distress as far as practicable; and
3) inform the rescue coordination centre of any developments;
g) from the information available, draw up a detailed plan of action for the conduct
of the search and/or rescue operation required and communicate such plan for
the guidance of the authorities immediately directing the conduct of such an
operation;
h) amend as necessary, in the light of evolving circumstances, the detailed plan
of action;
i) notify the appropriate accident investigation authorities; and
j) notify the State of Registry of the aircraft.
The order in which these actions are described shall be followed unless
circumstances dictate otherwise.
5.2.4 Initiation of search and rescue action in respect of an aircraft whose position is
unknown
In the event that an emergency phase is declared in respect of an aircraft whose
position is unknown and may be in one of two or more search and rescue
regions, the following shall apply:
a) When a rescue coordination centre is notified of the existence of an emergency
phase and is unaware of other centres taking appropriate action, it shall assume
responsibility for initiating suitable action in accordance with 5.2 and confer with
neighbouring rescue coordination centres with the objective of designating one
rescue coordination centre to assume responsibility forthwith.
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b) Unless otherwise decided by common agreement of the rescue coordination
centres concerned, the rescue coordination centre to coordinate search and
rescue action shall be the centre responsible for:
– the region in which the aircraft last reported its position; or
– the region to which the aircraft was proceeding when its last reported position
was on the line separating two search and rescue regions; or
– the region to which the aircraft was destined when it was not equipped with
suitable two-way radio communication or not under obligation to maintain radio
communication; or
– the region in which the distress site is located as identified by the COSPAS-
SARSAT system.
c) After declaration of the distress phase, the rescue coordination centre with
overall coordination responsibility shall inform all rescue coordination centres
that may become involved in the operation of all the circumstances of the
emergency and subsequent developments. Likewise, all rescue coordination
centres becoming aware of any information pertaining to the emergency shall
inform the rescue coordination centre that has overall responsibility.
5.2.5 Passing of information to aircraft in respect of which an emergency phase has
been declared
Whenever applicable, the rescue coordination centre responsible for search
and rescue action shall forward to the air traffic services unit
serving the flight information region in which the aircraft is operating,
information of the search and rescue action initiated, in order that such
information can be passed to the aircraft.
5.3 Procedures where responsibility for operations extends to two or more
Contracting States
Where the conduct of operations over the entire search and rescue region is
the responsibility of more than one Contracting State, each involved State shall
take action in accordance with the relevant plan of operations when so
requested by the rescue coordination centre of the region.
5.4 Procedures for agencies in the field
The agencies immediately directing the conduct of operations or any part
thereof shall:
a) give instructions to the units under their direction and inform the rescue
coordination centre of such instructions; and
b) keep the rescue coordination centre informed of developments.
5.5 Procedures for rescue coordination centres — termination and
suspension of operations
5.5.1 Search and rescue operations shall continue until all survivors are delivered to
a place of safety or until all reasonable hope of rescuing survivors has passed.
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OCTOBER 2024
SERIES S PART I
5.5.2 The responsible rescue coordination centre shall normally be responsible for
determining when to discontinue search and rescue operations.
5.5.3 When a search and rescue operation has been successful or when a rescue
coordination centre considers, or is informed, that an emergency no longer
exists, the emergency phase shall be cancelled, the search and rescue operation shall
be terminated and any agency, facility or service that has been activated or notified
shall be promptly informed.
5.5.4 If a search and rescue operation becomes impracticable and the rescue
coordination centre concludes that there might still be survivors, the centre
shall temporarily suspend on-scene activities pending further developments
and shall promptly inform any agency, facility or service which has been
activated or notified. Relevant information subsequently received shall be
evaluated and search and rescue operations resumed when justified and
practicable.
5.6 Procedures at the scene of an accident
5.6.1 When multiple agencies/ facilities are engaged in search and rescue
operations on-scene, the rescue coordination centre or rescue subcentre shall
designate one or more units on-scene to coordinate all actions to help ensure
the safety and effectiveness of air and surface operations, taking into account
facility capabilities and operational requirements.
5.6.2 When a pilot-in-command observes that either another aircraft or a surface
craft is in distress, the pilot shall, if possible and unless considered
unreasonable or unnecessary:
a) keep the craft in distress in sight until compelled to leave the scene or advised
by the rescue coordination centre that it is no longer necessary;
b) determine the position of the craft in distress;
c) as appropriate, report to the rescue coordination centre or air traffic services
unit as much of the following information as possible:
– type of craft in distress, its identification and condition;
– its position, expressed in geographical or grid coordinates or in distance and
true bearing from a distinctive landmark or from a radio navigation aid;
– time of observation expressed in hours and minutes Coordinated Universal
Time (UTC);
– number of persons observed;
– whether persons have been seen to abandon the craft in distress;
– as of 26 November 2026, whether any distress signals, including distress
beacon transmissions, have been received or observed;
– on-scene weather conditions;
– apparent physical condition of survivors;
– until 25 November 2026, apparent best ground access route to the distress
site; and
– as of 26 November 2026, apparent best ground access route to the distress
scene;
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– as of 26 November 2026, position and description of any other craft in the area
that may assist; and
–
d) act as instructed by the rescue coordination centre or the air traffic services
unit.
5.6.2.1 Until 25 November 2026, if the first aircraft to reach the scene of an
accident is not a search and rescue aircraft, it shall take charge of on-scene
activities of all other aircraft subsequently arriving until the first search and
rescue aircraft reaches the scene of the accident. If, in the meantime, such
aircraft is unable to establish communication with the appropriate rescue
coordination centre or air traffic services unit, it shall, by mutual agreement,
hand over to an aircraft capable of establishing and maintaining such
communications until the arrival of the first search and rescue aircraft.
As of 26 November 2026, if the first aircraft to reach the scene of an accident
distress scene is not a search and rescue aircraft, it shall take charge of on-
scene activities of all other aircraft subsequently arriving until the first search
and rescue aircraft reaches the distress scene of the accident. If, in the
meantime, such aircraft is unable to establish communication with the
appropriate rescue coordination centre or air traffic services unit, it shall, by
mutual agreement, hand over to an aircraft capable of establishing and
maintaining such communications until the arrival of the first search and
rescue aircraft.
5.6.3 When it is necessary for an aircraft to convey information to survivors or surface
rescue units, and two-way communication is not available, it shall, if
practicable, drop communication equipment that would enable direct contact
to be established, or convey the information by dropping a hard copy message.
5.6.4 When a ground signal has been displayed, the aircraft shall indicate whether
the signal has been understood or not by the means described in 5.6.3 or, if
this is not practicable, by making the appropriate visual signal.
5.6.5 When it is necessary for an aircraft to direct a surface craft to the place where
an aircraft or surface craft is in distress, the aircraft shall do so by transmitting
precise instructions by any means at its disposal. If no radio communication
can be established, the aircraft shall make the appropriate visual signal.
Note.— Until 25 November 2026, air-to-surface and surface-to-air visual
signals are published in Volume III of Doc 9731.
Note.— As of 26 November 2026, air-to-surface and surface-to-air visual
signals are published in the Appendix and in the International Aeronautical and
Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual, Volume III — Mobile Facilities
(Doc 9731)
5.6.6 As of 26 November 2026, when carrying a device for measuring actual surface
drift in accordance with 2.6.9, a search and rescue aircraft should drop the
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SERIES S PART I
device as soon as it reaches the scene of an accident.
Note.— The deployment of such devices will assist with search area planning
accuracy and, therefore, minimize search times.
5.7 Procedures for a pilot-in-command intercepting a distress
transmission
(Applicable until 25 November 2026)
Whenever a distress transmission is intercepted by a pilot-in-command of an
aircraft, the pilot shall, if feasible:
a) acknowledge the distress transmission;
b) record the position of the craft in distress if given;
c) take a bearing on the transmission;
d) inform the appropriate rescue coordination centre or air traffic services unit of
the distress transmission, giving all available information; and
e) at the pilot’s discretion, while awaiting instructions, proceed to the position
given in the transmission.
Procedures for a pilot-in-command intercepting a distress
transmission
(Applicable as of 26 November 2026)
5.7.1 Whenever a distress transmission is intercepted by a pilot-in-command of an
aircraft, the pilot shall, if feasible:
a) acknowledge the distress transmission;
b) record the position of the craft in distress if given;
c) take a bearing on the transmission;
d) inform the appropriate rescue coordination centre or air traffic services unit of
the distress transmission, giving all available information; and
e) at the pilot’s discretion, while awaiting instructions, proceed to the
distress position given in the transmission.; and
f) attempt to establish communications with the person(s) in distress
5.7.2 Whenever a pilot monitors 121.5 MHz, and intercepts a transmission from a
distress beacon, the pilot shall also:
a) record, and report as soon as possible, the position where the transmission
was first received;
b) not alter any settings for squelch on the aircraft’s radio; and
f)c) if feasible, continue to monitor the frequency until such time as the signal
ceases, and inform the appropriate rescue coordination centre or air traffic
services unit of such.
Note.— Retaining the existing settings for squelch from the time the
transmission is first received until the signal ceases provides rescue
coordination centres with the most accurate potential location of the distress
beacon.
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5.8 Search and rescue signals
5.8.1 The air-to-surface and surface-to-air visual signals in the Appendix shall, when
used, have the meaning indicated therein. They shall be used only for the
purpose indicated and no other signals likely to be confused with them shall be
used.
5.8.2 Upon observing any of the signals in the Appendix, aircraft shall take such
action as may be required by the interpretation of the signal given in that
Appendix.
5.9 Maintenance of records
5.9.1 Each rescue coordination centre should keep a record of the operational
efficiency of the search and rescue organization in its region.
5.9.2 Each rescue coordination centre shall prepare appraisals of actual search and
rescue operations in its region. These appraisals shall comprise any pertinent
remarks on the procedures used and on the emergency and survival
equipment, and any suggestions for improvement of those procedures and
equipment. Those appraisals, which are likely to be of interest to other States,
should be submitted to ICAO for information and dissemination, as appropriate.
(Vikram Dev Dutt)
Director General of Civil Aviation
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APPENDIX
SEARCH AND RESCUE SIGNALS
(Note.— See Para 5, 5.8 of the CAR)
1. Signals with surface craft
1.1 The following manoeuvres performed in sequence by an aircraft mean that
the aircraft wishes to direct a surface craft towards an aircraft or a surface
craft in distress:
a) circling the surface craft at least once;
b) crossing the projected course of the surface craft close ahead at
low altitude and:
1) rocking the wings; or
2) opening and closing the throttle; or
3) changing the propeller pitch.
Note.— Due to high noise level on board surface craft, the sound signals in
2) and 3) may be less effective than the visual signal in 1) and are regarded
as alternative means of attracting attention.
c) heading in the direction in which the surface craft is to be directed.
Repetition of such manoeuvres has the same meaning.
1.2 The following manoeuvres by an aircraft means that the assistance of the
surface craft to which the signal is directed is no longer required:
– crossing the wake of the surface craft close astern at a low altitude and:
1) rocking the wings; or
2) opening and closing the throttle; or
3) changing the propeller pitch.
Note.— The following replies may be made by surface craft to the signal in 1.1:
– for acknowledging receipt of signals:
1) the hoisting of the “code pennant” (vertical red and white
stripes) close up (meaning understood);
2) the flashing of a succession of “T’s” by signal lamp in
the Morse code;
3) the changing of heading to follow the aircraft.
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– for indicating inability to comply:
1) the hoisting of the international flag “N” (a blue and white
checkered square);
2) the flashing of a succession of “N’s” in the Morse code.
Note.— See Note following 1.1 b), 3).
2. Ground-air visual signal code
2.1 Ground-air visual signal code for use by survivors
Code
No. Message Code symbol
Symbol
Require assistance
Require medical assistance
No or Negative
Yes or Affirmative
Proceeding in this direction
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2.2 Ground-air visual signal code for use by rescue units
Code symbol
No. Message
Operation completed
We have found all personnel
We have found only some personnel
We are not able to continue.
Returning to base
Have divided into two groups. Each
proceeding in direction indicated
Information received that aircraft is in
this direction
Nothing found. Will continue to
7
search
2.3 Symbols shall be at least 2.5 metres (8 feet) long and shall be made as
conspicuous as possible.
Note 1.— Symbols may be formed by any means such as: strips of fabric,
parachute material, pieces of wood, stones or such like material; marking the
surface by tramping, or staining with oil.
Note 2.— Attention to the above signals may be attracted by other means
such as radio, flares, smoke and reflected light.
3. Air-to-ground signals
3.1 The following signals by aircraft mean that the ground signals have been
understood:
a) during the hours of daylight:
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– by rocking the aircraft’s wings;
b) during the hours of darkness:
– flashing on and off twice the aircraft’s landing lights or, if not so
equipped, by switching on and off twice its navigation lights.
3.2 Lack of the above signal indicates that the ground signal is not understood.
* * *
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