INFO Last updated on 15 JUL 2021                                                                           PDF Version - Printable

GEN 3.     SERVICES

GEN 3.6   SEARCH AND RESCUE

1. 

RESPONSIBLE SERVICE (S)

1.1 

The search and rescue services in Sri Lanka is organized in accordance with standards and recommended practices of ICAO Annex 12. Overall responsibility for the administration and for making necessary facilities and services available for SAR operations within Colombo Search and Rescue Region rest with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka. The postal and telegraphic addresses of the  Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka is given in sub section GEN 1.1
 

The Search and Rescue Point of Contact (SPOC) shall be the Colombo Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC).

 

Address        :  The Duty Supervisor

                       Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC),

                       Colombo Intl. Airport Ratmalana,

                       Ratmalana,

                       Sri Lanka.

Tel               :   +94-11-2611572, +94-11-2625555

Tele fax        :   +94-11-2635106

AFS             :   VCCCYCYX or VCCCZGZX

e-mail           :  acc.ans@airport.lk

1.2  

    The service is provided in accordance with provisions contained in following ICAO documents.

Annex 12         -  Search & Rescue

Annex 13        -  Aircraft Accident investigation.

DOC7030        - Regional  Supplementary Procedures for alerting and search and rescue services applicable in the MID / SEA region.

DOC 7373      -  Search and Rescue Manual.

DOC 9731      -  AN/958 Vol 1, 11 & 111 - International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and      Rescue (IAMSAR)  Manual

2. 

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

2.1

The Search and Rescue Service is responsible for SAR operations within Colombo FIR.

 3. 

TYPES OF SERVICES
 

Details of the related rescue units are given in the table below titled - Search & Rescue Units. In addition various elements of the police organization and armed forces are available for search and rescue missions when required. The aeronautical, Maritime and public telecommunication services also are available to the search and rescue organization.

 4   

SAR AGREEMENTS

 

Request for the entry of aircraft; equipment and personal from other states to engage in search for aircraft in distress or to rescue survivors of aircraft accidents should be transmitted to the Director General of Civil Aviation. Instructions as to the control, which will be exercised on entry of such aircraft and / or personnel will be given by the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in accordance with an accepted plan for the conduct of search and rescue in the area.

5     

CONDITIONS OF AVAILABILITY

5.1

The SAR service and facilities in Sri Lanka shall be available without a charge to the neighboring states on request to the Director General of Civil Aviation Sri Lanka.

5.2 

The information on ships at sea will be obtained through the courtesy of the automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System "AMVER" as and when required.

6.

PROCEDURES AND / OR SIGNALS   EMPLOYED BY RESCUE AIRCRAFT
6.1

Procedures
6.1.1

Procedures for pilot-in-command observing an accident or intercepting  distress call and / or message are outlined in Annex 12, chapter 5.

6.1.2

Ditching reports, requested by aircraft about to ditch, are given in accordance with the provision in ICAO DOC 7605 MET/526 (the Procedures for Air Navigation Services and Meteorology).

6.2 

Communication

 6.2.1 

Transmission and reception of distress messages within Sri Lanka search and rescue area are handled in accordance with Annex 10. Volume 11, chapter 5. Para 5.

6.2.2

For communication during search and rescue operations, the codes and abbreviations, published in ICAO DOC 8400 (ICAO CODES AND ABBREVIATIONS) are used.
6.2.3

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

6.2.4    

The frequency 121. 5 MHz is guarded continuously during hours of service at the Colombo ACC / FIC, Approach Control Centre, KATUNAYAKE / Bandaranaike Intl. Airport Colombo Control Tower ,  RATMALANA / Colombo Intl. Airport Ratmalana Control Tower and MATTALA/Mattala Rajapaksa Intl. Airport Control Tower, KANKESANTURAI/Jaffna Intl. Airport Control Tower and BATTICALOA/Batticaloa Airport Control Tower.

6.3

Search and Rescue Signals
6.3.1

The SAR signals to be used are those prescribed in Annex 12 chapter 5, para 5.8 and are shown  in the tables below:
 

SEARCH AND RESCUE UNITS

NAME

LOCATION

FACILITIES

REMARKS

a

b

c

d

                                                     Search vessels of the Sri Lanka Navy:

COLOMBO

065621.49N 0795055.33E

i).   Off Shore Petrol Vessels (OPV)   (1 unit)

- Could carry Four Hundred Fifty (450)   casualties.

    Speed       : 21 KTS

    Range       : 5800NM at 15KTS

ii).   Fast Missile Vessel (PMV)

       (01 unit)

-   Could carry Seventy (70) casualties.

    Speed       : 32 KTS

   Range       : 1650NM at 30 KTS

                         4000 NM at 17.5 KTS

iii). Fast Gun Boat      (FGB)  (01 unit)

-   Could carry Twenty (20) casualties.

    Speed       : 28 KTS

    Range       : 750 NM at 16 KTS

GALLE

060202.24N 0801354.36E

i).    Support/Training Ship (AA/AX)  

       (01 unit)

-   Could carry Three (300) casualties.

    Speed       : 10 KTS

    Range       : 5500 NM at 09 KTS

 ii).   Fast Gun Boat (FGB)   (01 unit)

-   Could carry Twenty (20) casualties.

    Speed       : 28 KTS

    Range       : 750 NM at 16 KTS

TRINCOMALEE

083242.37N

0811319.64E

 i).    Off shore Patrol Vessel (OPV)       (01 Unit)

-   Could carry  Four hundred (450) casualties.

     Speed      : 18 KTS

     Range      : 6100NM at 14 KTS

                          2700 NM at 18 KTS
   

ii). Fast Missile Vessel   (FMV)

     (01 unit)

-  Could carry Seventy (70) casualties.

    Speed       : 32 KTS

    Range       : 4000 NM at 17.5 KTS
   

iii). Fast Gun Boat    (FGB) (01 unit)  

-   Could carry Twenty (20) casualties.

    Speed      : 28 KTS

     Range     : 750 NM at 16 KTS     

KANKASANTHURAI

094731N

0800347E

i). Landing Ship tanker (LST).

    (01 unit)

-  Could carry Three Hundred (300)  casualties.

    Speed       : 14 KTS

    Range       : 1000 NM at 12 KTS  
   

ii) Fast Gun Boat (FGB) (01 unit)

-  Could carry Twenty (20) casualties.

    Speed       : 28 KTS

    Range       : 750 NM at 16 KTS 

                                                Search Aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force:

ANURADHAPURA

081800N

0802843E

i). Helicopter (01 Unit)

   A/c Type         :  MI17

Endurance       : 0230 Hrs

Range             : 120 NM

KATUNAYAKE

071048.68N

0795307.08E

i)  Aircraft  ( 01 unit of    each type)

   A/c Type          : AN 32

Endurance        : 0420 Hrs

Range              : 400 NM

 

   A/c Type          : C130

Endurance        : 0800 Hrs

Range              : 850 NM

MINNERIYA

080301N

0805823E

i). Helicopter (01 Unit of each type)

   A/c Type           : B212

Endurance       : 0230 Hrs

Range             : 110 NM

 

    A/c Type         :  MI17

Endurance       : 0230 Hrs

Range             : 120 NM

RATMALANA

064923N

0795306E

i)  Aircraft  ( 01 unit of each type)

      A/c type          : B200

 Endurance       : 0600 Hrs

 Range             : 400 NM

 

    A/c Type         : Y12

    Endurance      : 0430 Hrs

    Range            : 200 NM

ii). Helicopter (01 Unit of each type)

      A/cType          : MI17

   Endurance       : 0230 Hrs

   Range             : 120 NM

 

      A/c Type          : B212

  Endurance       : 0230 Hrs

  Range             : 110 NM

KANKASANTHURAI

094731N 0800347E

i). Helicopter (01 Unit)

   A/c Type          : B212

  Endurance       : 0230 Hrs

  Range             : 110 NM
 

GROUND-AIR VISUAL SIGNAL CODE FOR USE BY SURVIVORS.

NR

                                  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

      ↑
 

GROUND-AIR VISUAL SIGNAL CODE FOR USE BY RESCUE UNITS

NR

                                  Message

     Code Symbol

1

Operation completed

               

2

We have found all personal

                

3

We have found only some personal

                

4

We are not able to continue, return to base

                 

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 search

NN
 

    Instruction for use:

         1. Make signals Symbols at least 2.5m (8ft) long and as conspicuous as possible.

    2. Take care to lay out signals exactly as shown.

         3. Symbols may be formed by any means such as strips of fabric, parachute materials, pieces of wood stones or such like material making the surface by tramping, or staining with oil.

   4  Provide as much colour contrast as possible between signal and background.

       5. Attention to these signals may be attracted by other means such as radio, flares, smoke and reflected   light.

 

AIR TO GROUND SIGNALS
 

The following signals by aircraft mean that the ground signals have been understood:

a)   During the period: HJ - rocking the aircraft's wings

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

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

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