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Personnel Safety in Harsh Maritime Operating Environments — Escape, Evacuation and Rescue

October 1, 2009 - Institute for Ocean Technology, St John's, Newfoundland

Search, Detection and Rescue in a Hostile Environment
Capt. Jim Chmiel, Canadian Coast Guard

Capt. Chmiel is commanding officer of the CCGS Leonard J. Cowley, one of the most active search and rescue (SAR) assets deployed in Newfoundland waters. Capt. Chmiel’s presentation focussed on the operational aspects of rescue, and provided a well-illustrated view of the offshore environment. For context, provided some photographs and videos of the working environment, emphasizing the demanding conditions that rescuers sometimes face: high winds, waves, poor visibility. Emphasized that time is a critical factor as the probability of survival diminishes quickly: must get to the target within the first 12-24 hours; chances of survival after 48 hours diminishes rapidly. Key issues:

Increased exposure time increase hypothermia risk
Search area expands rapidly due to drift

Target detectability is influenced by contrast with background, relative motion to the sea, freeboard of the object, and size/shape of the object. Visual search by lookouts is still the dominant means of detection. Means of improving effective visibility of persons in the water (PIW) via improvements to survival suits were reviewed (flares, smoke floats, electronic beacons, etc.). Discussed the merits of some of these technologies.

Presentation Slides [PDF]

Project JIGSAW: An Overview of How and What

Capt. John Gorrie, Noble Denton

Explained what JIGSAW is, why it came to be and what types of emergencies the project is prepared to respond to. Outlined the goals that drove the design of the JIGSAW system and outlined the pathway that was taken to arrive at the systems that are implemented today.

Particular attention was paid to the challenges that were faced in early versions of the systems design, and how these challenges were overcome. The presenter then described the concept of the “Marine Circle of Response” and the response components within that circle. These components included:

Search and Rescue Helicopter (SARH)
Seaguard 90 Regional Support Vessel
Autonomous Rescue & Recovery Craft (ARRC)

Significant time was spent describing the development of the ARRC and issues addressed in its development. The presenter then showed what supporting resources were available in the JIGSAW system and explained how JIG Co, the land based coordinating center, worked to control and coordinate the whole system.