The eleventh meeting of the European Search and Rescue Task Force (EUR SAR TF/11) convened at the ICAO European and North Atlantic Regional Office (ICAO EUR/NAT) on September 15th and 16th, 2022, marking a significant step forward in bolstering regional Search and Rescue (SAR) capabilities.
Mr. Nicolas Rallo, the ICAO EUR/NAT Regional Director, commenced the proceedings by expressing his gratitude to the 34 attendees, comprising members and participants from 18 States and 4 international organizations. These organizations included key players such as EUROCONTROL, the European Commission, and the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme, underscoring the collaborative spirit essential for effective EUR SAR operations. Mr. Rallo emphasized the Regional Office’s core priorities within the SAR domain, specifically highlighting the critical need to strengthen safety oversight across the region. This focus aims to ensure that all States diligently fulfill their obligations as outlined in Annex 12 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and the EUR SAR Plan (EUR Doc 039), which are foundational documents for standardized and effective search and rescue protocols.
A key achievement of the EUR SAR TF/11 meeting was the successful finalization of comprehensive guidance material. This material is specifically designed to equip States with the necessary tools to address the complexities of maintaining robust and effective SAR system oversight. As a result of this dedicated work, the ICAO EUR/NAT webpage now hosts valuable resources, including:
The EUR SAR TF/11 participants demonstrated a strong commitment to the practical application of these EUR documents. Their effective implementation is anticipated to significantly enhance the overall SAR capabilities of States within the European region, leading to more efficient and successful search and rescue missions.
Furthermore, the EUR SAR TF/11 meeting provided a platform to review the latest ICAO provisions concerning the Global Aeronautical Distress & Safety System (GADSS). A significant component of GADSS is Autonomous Distress Tracking (ADT). To comply with GADSS ADT requirements, aircraft will necessitate equipping with an advanced Emergency Locator Transmitter designed for distress tracking, known as ELT (DT). Recognizing the technological advancements and infrastructure needs, the EUR SAR TF/11 participants reached a consensus on the imperative to establish a robust communications infrastructure. This infrastructure is crucial for efficiently processing and transmitting ELT (DT) signals to designated SAR points of contact (SPOC) within the various EUR States. This initiative includes the development and implementation of a Location of Aircraft in Distress Repository (LADR). The LADR will serve as a central system for collecting and disseminating ADT data, ensuring timely and coordinated responses in distress situations.
The progress and ongoing efforts of the EUR SAR Task Force will be further presented at the upcoming meeting of the ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group on harmonization of aeronautical and maritime Search and Rescue (ICAO/IMO JWG-SAR), scheduled for October 16-21, 2022. This continued collaboration highlights the dedication to improving search and rescue coordination across both aeronautical and maritime domains, ensuring a comprehensive and effective global SAR framework.
