GEN 3.6 SEARCH AND RESCUE

1. RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY

The SAR service in the Muscat FIR is organised on behalf of the CAA by RAFO, which has responsibility for making the necessary facilities available.

Postal Address: Search and Rescue Coordination Centre HQ RAFO
P.O. Box 722
POSTAL CODE 111
MUSCAT
Sultanate of Oman
AFS Address: OOMSYCYX
FAX: (968) 24 334776

2. TYPES OF SERVICE

2.1 Details of the RCC and related rescue units are given in paragraph 7. In addition, various elements of ROP Directorate of Police Aviation, ROP Coast guard, RAO, RNO and merchant marine are available for SAR missions when required. The aeronautical, maritime and public telecommunications services are available to the SAR organization.

2.2 With the exception of a limited number of float equipped helicopters, amphibious aircraft are not available. Fixed wing aircraft are capable of carrying equipment for air dropping. This equipment consists of inflatable rubber dinghies, medical supplies, emergency rations and survival radio equipment.

2.3 Aircraft are equipped to communicate on 121.500 MHz, 123.100 MHz, 243.000 MHz and on 2182 KHz for communication with marine craft. UHF/DF is carried by aircraft.

3. SAR AGREEMENTS

Requests for entry of aircraft, equipment and personnel from other States to engage in search for aircraft in distress or to rescue survivors of aircraft accidents, should be transmitted to the RCC. Instructions as to the control which will be exercised on entry of such aircraft and/or personnel will be given by the RCC in accordance with a standing plan for the conduct of SAR in its area.

4. GENERAL CONDITIONS OF AVAILABILITY

Facilities dedicated solely for SAR purposes are not available. All facilities are adapted for SAR by training and equipment. The DRU, LRUs and MRT comprise trained volunteers and are activated as necessary.

5. APPLICABLE ICAO DOCUMENTS

The SARPS and SUPPS contained in the following documents are applied with the exceptions (Differences) noted hereunder:

Annex 12	Search and Rescue
Annex 13	Aircraft Accident Inquiry
Doc 7030	SUPPS, Part 1,7. Alerting and SAR Services applicable in the MID/SEA Region (page RAC 1-15)

6. DIFFERENCES FROM ICAO SARPS AND SUPPS

Differences from ICAO SARPS and SUPPS are given in GEN 1.7.

7. RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE

7.1 Postal Address: Rescue Coordination Centre

HQ RAFO
P.O. Box 722
POSTAL CODE 111
MUSCAT
Sultanate of Oman
AFS Address: OOMSYCYX
Telephone: (968) 24 334211, 24 334212
Telefax: (968) 24 334776
E-mail: hq.rafo.aoc@rafo.gov.om

7.2 SAR Area: Sultanate of Oman land and territorial water areas and the high seas within Muscat FIR. The contact point for Muscat FIR SAR COSPAS-SARSAT is the Oman Rescue Coordination Centre.

7.3 Responsible agency or department: RAFO

7.4 Name and location of RSC:

RSC Masirah

RSC Salalah

RSC Muscat

Remarks: See GEN 3.6-3 for RSC locations and areas of responsibility.

7.5 Search and Rescue Units

Name	Location	Facilities	Remarks
1	2	3	4
Khasab	See GEN 3.6-3	HEL-M (SRG)
Masirah	See GEN 3.6-3	HEL-M (SRG) LRU RB
Wudam	See GEN 3.6-3	RV
MUSCAT / Muscat Intl	See GEN 3.6-3	HEL-M (SRG) C 130 (LRG) C 235 MRG) SH 7 (SRG) LRU MRT
Salalah	See GEN 3.6-3	HEL-M (SRG) SH 7 (SRG)

8. PROCEDURES AND/OR SIGNALS EMPLOYED BY RESCUE AIRCRAFT

8.1 Procedures

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

8.2 Communications

8.2.1 Transmission and reception of distress messages within the Oman SRR are handled in accordance with Annex 10, Chapter 5, 5.3.

8.2.2 For communication during SAR operations, the codes and abbreviations published in PANS-ABC (Doc 8400) are used.

8.2.3 Information concerning positions, call-signs, frequencies and hours of operation of Oman aeronautical stations is published in ENR 2.1 and in the AD 2 section of the respective aerodrome.

8.2.4 The frequency 121.500 MHz is guarded continuously by the ATSU at Muscat International airport and, during hours of service by Salalah ATSU.

8.2.5 When engaged in SAR activities, aircraft will use the prefix "RESCUE", followed by a serial number.

Example: "RESCUE 1", RESCUE 2" etc.

8.3 Search and Rescue Signals

8.3.1 The SAR signals to be used are those prescribed in Annex 12, Chapter 5, 5.10 and are shown below. Symbols shall be at least 2.5 metres (8 feet) long and shall be made as conspicuous as possible.

8.3.2 Symbols may be formed by any means such as strips of fabric, parachute material, pieces of wood, stones or similar material; marking the surface by trampling, or staining with oil, etc.

8.3.3 Attention to the signals may be attracted by other means such as radio, flares, smoke, reflected light, etc.

No.	Message	Code Symbol
1	Require assistance	V
2	Require medical assistance	X
3	No or negative	N
4	Yes or affirmative	Y
5	Proceeding in this direction	↑

No.	Message	Code Symbol
1	Operation completed	LLL
2	We have found all personnel	L̲L̲
3	We have found only some personnel	+ +
4	We are not able to continue. Returning to base.	X X
5	Have divided into two groups. Each proceeding in direction indicated.
6	Information received that aircraft is in this direction.	→ →
7	Nothing found. Will continue to search.	N N

9. AIR TO GROUND SIGNALS

SEARCH AND RESCUE FACILITIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
The following signals by aircraft mean that the ground signals have been understood:

a) HJ - rocking the aircraft's wings.

b) HN - flashing on and off twice the aircraft's landing lights or, if not so equipped, by switching on and off twice its navigation lights.

Lack of the above signal indicates that the ground signal is not understood.

SEARCH AND RESCUE FACILITIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY