FINAL REPORT
Antarctic Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop IV
Improving SAR Coordination and Response in the Antarctic
Convened by the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
Co-hosted by
the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (JRCCNZ) Maritime New Zealand
& Antarctica New Zealand
14 May (Tuesday) and 15–16 May (Thursday and Friday) 2019
Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand
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Antarctic Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop IV
Improving SAR Coordination and Response in the Antarctic
FINAL REPORT
31 May 2019
Background
In2013,theAntarcticTreatyConsultativeMeeting(ATCM)formallyrecognisedtheCouncilof
ManagersofNationalAntarcticPrograms(COMNAP)efforts“…tocontinuetofostercollaborative
discussionsandvitalsharingofinformationregardingSARmattersincludingthrough:holding
triennialworkshopsonsearchandrescue…”(ATCMXXXVIResolution4(2013)).COMNAP
convenedthefirstAntarcticSARWorkshopinValparaiso/ViñadelMar,Chile,inAugust2008.Two
furtherworkshopsfollowed;SARWorkshopII(BuenosAires,Argentina),2009;andSARWorkshop
III(ViñadelMar,Chile),2016.
AsperResolution4(2013),theCOMNAPAntarcticSARWorkshopIVwasopentorepresentatives
fromalloftherelevantRescueCoordinationCentres(RCCs),fromNationalAntarcticPrograms,
relevantexpertsincludingfromtheInternationalAssociationofAntarcticaTourOperators(IAATO),
CommissionfortheConservationofAntarcticMarineLivingResources(CCAMLR)andthe
InternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO),aswellascommercialoperatorsandserviceproviders.
Theworkshopwasofatechnical,practicalandnon‐politicalnatureheldinthespiritofthe
AntarcticTreaty1959.

Introduction
COMNAPconsiderssafetyofhumanlifeofprimaryconcerninallAntarcticactivities.Insupportof
thegoaltoimproveSARcoordinationandresponseintheAntarcticTreatyarea,COMNAP
convenedAntarcticSARWorkshopIV.
Theworkshopwasheldinpartnershipwithco‐hoststheJointRescueCoordinationCentreNew
Zealand(JRCCNZ)MaritimeNewZealandandAntarcticaNewZealand.Theworkshopschedulewas
developedacrossfourdaysandtwocitiesinordertohighlighttheworkandofficesoftheNew
ZealandSARagencyinthecapitolcityofWellington,andtheworkandofficesoftheNewZealand
NationalAntarcticProgramlocatedinthecityofChristchurch,NewZealand.
WorkshopIVbeganwithaJRCCNZ‐focusseddiscussioninthecityofWellingtononTuesday14May
2019andcontinuedinthecityofChristchurchonThursday15MayandFriday16Maytoaddress
theobjectivesandagendaoftheworkshop.
Fifty‐fivepeopleattendedtheWellingtondayoftheworkshopandfifty‐eightpeopleattendedthe
Christchurchworkshopdays(seeAppendix1forlistsofdelegates).
Thisisthereportofkeyoutcomesfromtheagendaitemsessionsoftheworkshop.Theagendaand
scheduleareAppendix2andthelistofactionitemsisAppendix3ofthisreport.
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Workshop Objectives
TheoverarchingobjectiveoftheworkshopwastocontinuetoimproveSearchandRescue(SAR)
coordinationandresponseintheAntarcticasafollowuponSARWorkshopsI(2008),II(2009)
andIII(2016).
Specificobjectivesofthisfourthworkshopwereto:
Conductareviewofprogress,inparticularonactionsarisingfromthepreviousworkshops;
Continuetheexchangeoftimelyandusefulinformationthatcanbeusedintheeventofa
SARsituation;
PresentexamplesofbestpracticetosupportSARcoordinationandresponse;
Exchangeinformationonaviationsafetyincludingadvancednotificationofairoperationsin
supportofpreventionofincidents,accidentsandnear‐misses;
DiscusslessonslearnedfromrecentrealAntarcticemergencyincidents;
EngageallparticipantsinregionalcoordinationandresponsetoMassRescueOperations
(MRO)scenarios.
Disclaimer
Nothingmentionedinthisdocumentshouldbeconsideredcontrarytoanyoftheinternational
conventionsinforceregardingSARandrelatedissues,whichareregulatedbyIMO,ICAO,andby
nationallawsandregulationsinforce.Theuseanddesignationofanynameorarea,includingany
geographicplacenameandstatementsmadeinregardtodatesinanypresentation,donotimply
anyopinionwhatsoeveronthepartofCOMNAPconcerningthelegalstatusofanycountry,
territoryorauthorityinthecontextoftheAntarcticTreaty.
Workshop Discussion and Outcomes
TheworkshopparticipantsagreedthattheFinalReportwouldreflectthekeymessagesfromthe
workshopandwouldnotbeafullyminutedreport.Thekeymessagesarepresentedingroupings
thatalignwiththeworkshopsessions,thatis,byrelevantagendaitem.Thekeymessagesare
numberedforconvenienceofreference,notinorderofimportance.
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AgendaItem3
KeymessagesfromRescueCoordinationCentres(RCCs)
General
1. EachofthefiveRCCswhichhaveresponsibilityforcoordinationandresponseovera
portionoftheAntarcticTreatyarea,alsohaveresponsibilityoverextremelylargeareas,
includinglargemarineareasandareastothenorthoftheAntarcticTreatyarea.Inallcases,
theAntarcticTreatyregionisasmallproportionofacountry’stotalSARareaof
responsibility.
2. Thereareincreasesinactivityrelatedtoscience,tourism,fisheriesandcommercialaviation
withroutingthatcrossesbelow60
o
South.MorepeopleintheAntarcticTreatyarea,
regardlessofpurposeoftheiractivity,meanmoreprobabilityofaccident,incidentor
requirementforemergencyresponse.
3. ForthePeninsularegion,assetsthatcouldbeusedforSARresponsearededicated.Forthe
otherSARregions,thereareoftennodedicatedSARassets.Inmostcases,evenany
dedicatedassetisnotnormallylocatedintheAntarcticTreatyarea;itisgenerallyexternal
totheareaandmustbedeployedacrosslongdistancesbeforeitcanbeinapositionto
assist.Inaddition,theavailabilityofassetsvariesthroughouttheyear.Forexample,there
arelimitedair/aviationcapabilitiesavailableintheAntarcticTreatyareaintheaustral
wintermonths.
4. Inadditiontoassetsthatcouldbedeployed,SARagenciesandgatewaycountriessupporta
rangeofotherservices,suchasSearchandRescueSatelliteAidedTracking(SARSAT)
coverage.BothassetsandservicescanbecalledupontoassistinanAntarcticSARevent.
5. Intheeventmedicalattentionisrequired,“assets”mustincludemedicalpersonnelandso
involveahumanresource.Therefore,availabilityofa“thing”onitsownisnotalways
sufficient;availabilityofpeoplewiththeappropriateskillsisoftenrequiredbutmaynotbe
readilyavailableintheAntarcticTreatyarea.Inaddition,availablemedicalpersonnelmay
notalwaysbeequippedtodealwithmasscasualtysituations.
6. Theclosestvesselorotherassetmaynotbethemostsuitabletotheconditionsofthe
rescueresponse.
7. ForsomeRCCs,assetstosupportaSARresponsecomefromotherorganisationssuchas
theNationalAntarcticPrograms.Thereisthereforeaneedtoassesshowanyrequestsfor
NationalAntarcticProgramassistanceorassetsmayaffectthecorebusinessofthat
program,thatis,whatimpactdiversionofassetswillhaveonsciencesupport,operations
andlogisticsandsafetyoflivesinthoseendeavours.
8. ManyvesselscurrentlyoperatingintheAntarcticTreatyareaarenotIMOPolarCode
compliant,asthecodedoesnotapplytoallvessels.Thismaypresentariskrelatedto
incidentandaccidentand,suitabilitytoconditionsshouldbeaconsiderationifavesselof
opportunityisbeingaskedtorespondtoanincident.
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9. IncreaseinactivitiesintheAntarcticTreatyareaisatleastpartiallyduetoreductioninsea
iceinsomeareas.Theperceptionthatreductioninseaicemightbeareductioninriskis
notcompletelytrueasremovalofseaiceoftencreatesincreaseinicebergs,fog,strongeror
morepersistentwinds,andcreatesrapidlychangingconditionsthatmanyarenotawareof
orpreparedfor.Ice‐breakingcapablevesselswillstillberequiredinordertorespondto
AntarcticSARevents.
10. EachAntarcticSARregionisdifferentandhasdifferentcharacteristics.Forexample,forthe
Peninsula,thedistancesfromSouthAmericatotheAntarcticTreatyareaarerelatively
short.ForthethreeotherSARregions,thedistancesarelarger.However,eveninrelatively
shortdistances(thatareneverlessthan1000‐1200Kms),theparticularcircumstancesof
Antarctica‐itshydrometeorologicalandiceconditions,thescarcityofsupportpointsand
thelimitedinfrastructure‐meanthereisacomplexitytodeployment.TimeofarrivalofSAR
unitsisstillveryhighcomparedtotheexpectedsurvivaltimeintheAntarctic.
11. Whenwespeakoflargedistances,wearenotonlytalkingabouthavingtowaitfor
assistanceforoneortwodays.Insomecases,itwouldtakefivetosixsailingdaysfora
vesseltoreachsomeareasofcoastalAntarcticafromoutsidetheAntarcticTreatyareaand
thispresumesgoodweather,andgoodseaandiceconditions.
12. Theimportanceofcollaborationisto“accomplishthemission”whateverthatSARmission
happenstobe.
13. WhenaSAReventisactivated,agreementsinplaceallowfordirectcommunications
betweenagencies.Thisisimportantgiventhetimethatwouldberequiredifgovernment
agenciesneededtobeconsultedseriallyinahierarchicalsenseormakeagreementsin
ordertoreact.
14. Insomecases,includinginurgentsituationsnotatthelevelofaSARevent,government‐to‐
governmentagreementsarerequiredbeforepersonnelandassetscanbecalleduponto
respond.
15. SARagenciesbelievetheyspeaka“commonSARlanguage”.However,differencesin
domesticinterpretationmaymeanwereallyarenotalwaystalkingaboutthesamething.
Forexample,whatconstitutesa“SAR”eventmaydifferbetweencountries.Some
countriesrespondtothesedifferencesbycreatingacategorysystemoratieredsystem.
RecognisingthedifferenttypesofAntarcticemergenciesthatcanarise,oneRCCusesa
CategoryIandCategoryIIsystemtodeterminethelevelofresponserequired.Forthat
particularRCC,CategoryIisasituationatalocallevelthatislefttotheresourcesofthe
NationalAntarcticProgramsintheregionoftheemergency.CategoryIIsituationswill
involvethecoordinationoftheresponsebytheRCC.
16. ContinuousinformationsharingamongstSARagenciesandbetweenthoseagenciesand
therelevantNationalAntarcticProgramsandotherstakeholdersiscriticallyimportant;asis
trainingandregionalexercises,eventhoughplanningofsuchexercisesistime‐intensive.
17. Reviewafteraneventisanimportantpartofthelearningprocessandprovidesa
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mechanismtosharelessonslearnedthatcouldrequireapolicyorresponsechange.
18. EventhoughtherearesignificantdifferencesbetweenthePolarregions,theremaybe
lessonsAntarcticSARagenciescanlearnfromArcticagencies.
19. Internationalagreementsandcountries’commitmentstothoseagreementsarereflectedin
domesticpolicy.
20. SARcoordinationandresponserequiresmedical/hospitalfacilitiesandassistance
originatingfromexternalareas,suchasthe“gatewaycities”.Therefore,thosecitiesrequire
assetsandhumancapabilitytorespondadequatelytoaSARsituation.Acquiringand
maintainingsuchassetsareusuallyoutsideofthecontroloftheRCCortheNational
AntarcticProgram.Placementandmaintenanceofmedicalequipmentin“gatewaycities”is
criticalandrequirescontinuedinvestmentbycountries.
21. Strengtheningoftheplanningprocessmaygoalongwaytoensuringaneffective
emergencyresponse.COMNAPworkshopsandAGMsafetysessionsareone‐wayto
strengthentheplanningprocess.
22. Someagenciesarenotequippedtodealwithpollutionorcleanupthatisoftenrequired
afteranAntarcticSARincident.
23. InsomeSARsituations,itissimplynotpossibletoprovideanyassistance.
Trends
24. Thereisagrowthoftourism‐relatedactivityintheAntarcticTreatyarea,particularlyinthe
Peninsula.ThisgrowthisseeingmoreactivitiesparticularlythroughFreiBaseandMarsh
Aerodrome.Theincreaseinnumbersiscoupledwithalengtheningofthetraditional
Antarcticsummeroperationalseason.Thismaynecessitateanextensiontothecurrent
lengthoftimeSARoperationsarerequiredinthePeninsula.Areductioninseaiceinthe
Peninsularegion,theimplementationoftheIMOPolarCode,andgreatervesselfuel
efficiencies,areallcontributingfactorstotheextensionofthetraditionaloperational
season.
25. Recently,insuranceprovidersarebecomingactivelyinvolvedinanydiscussionsofSAR
events.Thatis,organisationsandpersonsintheAntarcticTreatyareaaretakingout
insuranceincaseofaccidentorincident.Thismaycreateafalsesenseofprotection(that
is,aslongasIhaveinsurancesomeonewillcometomyrescue)andaddsafurther
complicationtotheresponsesinceinsuranceprovidershavetobeinvolvedinthe
conversationincaseswhereaSARoremergencyeventhasoccurred.
26. Diversificationofcommercialactivitycontinues,withanincreaseinair‐cruisetourism
activity,increaseinrotarywingaircrafton‐boardAntarcticvesselsandglobalincreasesin
shippingandaviationactivity.SuchglobaltrendswillinevitablyaffecttheAntarcticTreaty
areainvariousways.Diversificationofscienceactivitiesanditsaccompanyingscience
supportisincreasing.
7
27. Mobile,internet‐capabledevicesmeanthatinformationmaybeeasilysharedfromthe
AntarcticTreatyareatoaglobalaudience,includingthemedia.SARagenciesandNational
AntarcticProgramsoftenfindthatinadditiontolaunchinganemergencyresponsetoan
incident,theyarealsohavingtoprepareamediaresponse,orrespondtosocialmedia,
whilealsotryingtoensurethatfamiliesofthosethatmaybeinvolvedinanaccidentor
incidentarepartofclearlinesofcommunicationsfromreliablesources.
28. AtleastonecountryiscurrentlyconsideringextendingitsAntarcticSARassetcapabilitiesto
covermoreoftheirAntarcticSARcoordinationareaandtorespondtoarangeofscenarios.
Thistakesgovernmentinvestment.
29. ForsomecountrieswithAntarcticRCCcapabilities,therearecurrentlynodedicated
AntarcticSARassetsandsustainedfundingforassetsthatcanbedeployedtoAntarctic
conditionsandacrosslargedistancesisdwindlingwithlittletonopoliticalsupportor
considerationoftheAntarcticsituationandneed.Continued,sustainablegovernment
commitmentandfundingisrequiredbutitoftencompeteswithothercountryneeds.
Becauseofthelackofgovernmentfunding,newpublic‐privatepartnershipsarebeing
formed.
30. Peopleareembracing,andarebetterablethanevertoafford,innovativetechnology.Such
technologywhenusedproperlyaidsinaSARevent.Forexample,PersonalLocatorBeacons
(PLBs)whenproperlyregisteredandusedcanaidinthereducingtheneedforthesearch
componentofaresponse.MorepeoplearegoingtotheAntarcticTreatyareaandmanyof
thoseareusingPLBs.Someareusedproperly,somearenot.RCCsareseeinganincreaseis
PLBalarmsandallalarmsmustberespondedto,eventhosethatturnouttobefalse
alarms.ThereisalsoachallengerelatedtothenumberofprovidersofthesePLBsandthe
differencesbetweenthem.SomePLBsworktosendthealarmtoacommercialprovider
whoonlythenpassinformationontoRCCs,whereassomegodirecttotheRCC.
31. AtleastonecountryiscurrentlyadvocatingforpointofsaleregistrationofPLBswithan
estimatethatcurrently30%ofPLBssoldinthatcountryareusedunregistered.Thereisan
increaseinfalseactivationsandinresaleofPLBsthatshouldnotbeusedandshouldbe
disposedofproperly.NationalAntarcticProgramsandRCCsareencouragedtocheck(pre‐
deployment)forregistrationofPLBsthataregoingtobeusedintheAntarcticTreatyarea.
Communication
32. Abilitytotalkwiththerightperson/peopleattheneededtimeoftenmakesthedifference.
Accurateinformation,providedinadvance,isimportantandistheresponsibilityofall
involvedtoensureinformationiscurrent.
33. DuringaSARevent,acommon,consistent,correctmessagefromallorganisationsinvolved
isimportant.Integrityandtimelinessofthemessageiscriticalespeciallywhenweallspeak
differentfirstlanguagesandwhenthereisaneedtomakedecisionsquickly.
8
34. Workshopattendeesbenefitfromthepresentationsanddiscussions,butthekeymessages
andthepresentationsshouldbesharedwithawidergroup.TheCOMNAP,theIAATO,the
CCAMLRandAntarcticTreatySecretariatshavearoletoplayinthis,asdotheRCCsandthe
COMNAPMemberNationalAntarcticPrograms.
35. IAATOalsorecognisestheneedtoshareinformationandmeetseachseasonwithRCCsto
reduceriskrelatedtotheirmemberactivities,andalsotoremindRCCsoftheirmembers
assetswhichmightbecalledupontoassistintheeventofaSARincident.Further
considerationofhowbesttosharethisIAATOinformationshouldbeconsidered.
36. Inmostcases,wetalkaboutgoodcommunicationsbetweentheNationalAntarctic
ProgramsandtheirrelevantRCC.Inacoupleofcases,thesearethesamepeople/same
organisations,especiallyinthecaseswherethemilitaryagenciesprovideNationalAntarctic
ProgramoperationsandlogisticsandarealsopartoftheRCCs.
37. COMNAPtoolsareassistingRCCsandNationalAntarcticProgramstounderstandwhat
assetsarewhereintheAntarcticTreatyarea,however,thereisnooverallawareness
includingwherededicatedRCCassetsmaybelocatedatanypointintime.Intime,the
COMNAPAssetTrackingSystem(CATS)toolmightbeexpandedtoincludelocationofassets
beyondtheAntarcticTreatyareaandbeyondthoseinsupportofNationalAntarctic
Programactivitiesonly.
38. TheCOMNAPAccidentIncidentandNear‐MissReporting(AINMR)systemwasdesignedat
therequestofCOMNAPMemberNationalAntarcticProgramsinordertosharelessons
learnedinthecaseofanaccident,incidentornearmissevent.Itwasunder‐usedduring
thesix‐yearperioditwasavailable.TheCOMNAPAGMdecidedtowithdrawsupportfor
theAINMRtool.However,sharingofpost‐incidentreviewdocumentsisstillavaluable
learningtoolandreportsoflessonslearnedcanbesharedbywayoftheCOMNAP
Members’Onlywebpage.Othermechanismstosharesuchinformationshouldcontinually
beexplored.
39. TheCOMNAPSARwebpagewasdevelopedinresponsetopreviousAntarcticSAR
workshopsasanidentifiedneedtoassistcommunicationsandresponse.Itisavailablebut
beingunder‐utilizedbytheRCCs.Theremaybeotherways(otherthantriennialworkshops
andSARwebpages)toshareinformation.
40. ItisimportantforRCCsandNationalAntarcticProgramstohaveaconsistentapproachto
socialmedia/mediarequestsandstatementsinordertogiveclaritytothemessage.Some
countrieshaveamediaprotocolagreedbetweentheirRCCandtheirNationalAntarctic
Program.SuchprotocolsshouldbesharedontheCOMNAPSARwebpage.
41. Changeoverofpersonnelmeanthatregulartrainingandregularworkshopareimportant.
ThecurrenttriennialpacingoftheCOMNAPAntarcticSARWorkshopsiswellmatchedwith
theneedtocontinuallyreinforcecognizanceaspersonnelturnoverandnewmattersof
improvementmaybeidentifiedandimplemented.
9
Agendaitem4
Keymessagesfromthefisheriesandaviationsectors
42. TheCCAMLRSecretariat,likemostoftheotherAntarcticTreaty‐relatedSecretariatsisa
datacollectionhubandreceivesarangeofdata.OfkeyimportanceasregardsSAR,isthe
nearreal‐timevesselpositiondata(VMS)fromcertain,butnotall,vesselsintheCCAMLR
areathat,byagreementsbetweenCCAMLRandeachRCCwithAntarcticSARcoordination
responsibility,maybereleasedtoaRCCinsupportofaSARevent.Otherwise,theVMSdata
istreatedasconfidential/commerciallysensitive.CCAMLRCM‐10‐04providesthe
frameworkfortheoperationofVMSdataandprovidesforauthoriseduse.
43. Therearecurrently48vesselslicensedtofishintheCCAMLRareaactiveindifferentzones
atdifferenttimesoftheyear.From1December2019,thesefishingvesselswillberequired
topositionreportintotheVMSonanhourlybasis.
44. Thelevelofactivityrelatedtofisheries/krillharvestvariesthrough‐outtheyearandby
CCAMLRarea.
45. WhileitisrecognisedthatthelargestnumberoftouristsentertheAntarcticTreatyarea
throughthePeninsularegiononamarinevessel,therearealsoagrowingnumberof
touristactivitiesassociatedwithaviationandremotefieldlocations.Cruiseactivityis
supportedbyshoreactivitieswhileremotefieldactivityissupportedbyflightsandland
vehicletraverse.
46. Recently,newcommercialoperatorsareparticipatinginremoteactivitiesfortouristsand
havedevelopedtheirowninfrastructuresincludingrunways.Informationinrelationtosuch
infrastructuresshouldbeincludedintheCOMNAPelectronic‐AntarcticFlightInformation
Manual(e‐AFIM).
47. WhiletheRCCshavegoodawarenessofmarine‐basedactivityandofNationalAntarctic
Programairoperationsintheirareaofresponsibility,thereisuncertaintyovercoverageof
land‐basedactivityandvariationincoordinationresponsibilityofsuchactivity.Incasesof
land‐basedSARresponseintheAntarcticTreatyarea,NationalAntarcticProgramsareoften
calledupontocoordinateandsupplytheassetsandpersonnelforaresponse.Non‐
governmentaloperatorscanalsobecalledupontorespond.
48. Thereisnooverallawarenessofassetsthatmightbecalledupontorespondtoaland‐
basedemergency.Alloperatorsshouldprovidetheirinformationintoonesystemfor
operationalawareness;thismightincludealllandvehicles.
49. IAATOalreadyhastheMarineEmergencyandMedicalEvacuationResponse(EMER)plan
andcurrentlyIAATOairoperatorsarereviewinganequivalentresponseplanforflight
activities.
50. IAATOairoperatorsarecurrentlyusingtheAutomatedFlightFollowing(AFF)systemto
trackaircraft.SomearealsoreportingpositiondataintotheCATS.Additionofdetailsof
10
trackedassetswouldfurtherenhancethevalueofCATS.
51. TheCOMNAPe‐AFIMandtheSCARAirOperationsPlanningMapSeriesaretoolswelcomed
bythecommunityandareusedtoassistwithflightplanning.Theyrelyoncurrentand
completeinformationasprovidedbyNationalAntarcticProgramsandotheroperators.
TherewasasuggestionthattheSCARAirOperationsPlanningMapsshouldbeincludedin
thee‐AFIM.
52. Atpresent,nationalcompetentauthoritiesarepermittingorauthorisingrequestsfromair
operatorsforAntarcticTreatyareaactivities.Eachpermittedorauthorisedactivitymay
haveSARimplicationsforotheractorsthatarenotlikelybeingconsideredbythe
competentauthority.Oftentheactivityispermittedorauthorisedwithoutbroader
considerationforsafetyorwhetherthepilotortheequipmentisfitforpurpose.Oftenthe
activityisnotmadeknowntotherelevantRCCortheNationalAntarcticProgramswith
facilitiesoroperationsintheareaoftheproposedactivity.ItisnotusualfortheCOMNAP
Secretariattohaveawarenessofsuchpermittedorauthorisedactivityasthecompetent
authoritydoesnothavetomaketheCOMNAPSecretariatawareofanyactivity.
ConsiderationshouldbegivenastowhethertheprocesscanbetterinvolvetheRCCsand
NationalAntarcticProgramsandtheCOMNAPSecretariatorattheveryleastcommunicate
thedetailsoftheproposedactivitiestotherelevantRCC.
53. ArecentCOMNAPsurveyofAntarcticairoperationsandaviationactivityrevealedthat
thereisanincreaseinrotarywingaircraftinoperation.TheCOMNAPATCMXLIIIP002
containsinformationonairoperationsandthisinformationwillsupportanATCMWorking
Group2focuseddiscussiononairactivityinAntarctica.
54. InadditiontotheInformationPaper,COMNAPhasalsosubmittedCOMNAPATCMXLII
WP008withrecommendationsfortheATCMtoconsider.Theserecommendationsinclude
ensuringinformationshareiscontinuedinsupportofe‐AFIMandtheAntarctic
TelecommunicationsOperatorsManual(ATOM)andotherinformationexchangetools.
55. Antarcticairspaceisuncontrolledairspace.TechnologiessuchasTrafficCollisionAvoidance
System(TCAS)shouldbeutilizedinallfixedwingandrotaryaircraftinordertode‐conflict
airspace.ThereiscurrentlynomandatoryrequirementforTCAStobeinstalledandturned
on,althoughTrafficInformationBroadcastsbyAircraft(TIBA)asrecommendedbyICAO
Annex11isstillrecommendedforuseinATCMXXXVIResolution1(2013)andprocedures
areexplainedine‐AFIMAppendix5.TCASisatechnologyadvancementontheTIBAsystem
anddoesnotrequireVHFtransmissions.
56. TheCATSseemstobeagoodshort‐term,positionreportingsystemthatcanbeusedto
understandwherevesselandaircraftassetsareatanygiventimeintheAntarcticTreaty
area.However,notallvesselscanusethesystemduetolimitedbandwidthandnotall
vesselsandaircraftarereporting.Inthelongerterm,off‐theshelfproductsmaybeabetter
optionthanCATStocombinedatafrommultiplesources.
57. Regardlessofthepositionreporting/trackingplatformused,militaryaircraftandmilitary
vesselsoftendonotreporttheirpositioninformationintoanysuchsystems.Thismeans
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thereisneveracompletepictureofairoperationsnorvesselsintheAntarcticTreatyarea.
58. SomeregionsoutsideoftheAntarctic,arerequiringandimplementingAutomatic
DependentSurveillance–Broadcast(ADS–B)inaircraftandonthegroundinorderto
facilitateairbornetrafficsituationawareness,spacing,separationandself‐separation.Such
technologieswillhaveapplicationintheAntarcticTreatyareaandshouldbeconsideredby
theATCMformandatoryimplementationacrossallaircraftcarryingpeople.
59. COMNAPsystemsareattemptingtotrackallvesselsandaircraftbutofcourseonlyinclude
COMNAPMemberinformation.OtherAntarctic‐relatedorganisationsaretrackingtheir
members’assets.Thereisnooneintegratedsystemandwehaveawaytogobefore
achievingthat.WhenconsideringSAR,itissomethingweshouldallstriveforandsupport.
60. ItwasrecognisedthattheNoticetoAirmen(NOTAM)systemisawaytoconvey
information,notsufficientlyknowninadvancetopublicizebyothermeans,onthe
establishment,conditionorchangeinanycomponentoftheairoperationssystem.Pilots
arerequiredtoreviewallNOTAMsaffectingtheirflightroutebeforetake‐off.However,in
theAntarcticTreatyareaNOTAMsarenotconsistentlyusedsinceitisuncontrolled
airspace.ThereisalinktotheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)NOTAMsearch
webpagefromtheCOMNAPAirOperationsExpertGroupwebpage,butCOMNAPdoesnot
haveoversiteofAntarctic‐relatedNOTAMsnorwoulditbepracticalforCOMNAPto
overseeaNOTAMsystemfortheAntarcticTreatyarea.
61. Allairoperatorsshouldberequiredtocommunicatetoallairfieldsintheirareaof
operationstoensuretheyareawareofanyflightsinthearea,especiallyincaseswherea
runwaymaybeusedasanalternatelandingsite.
62. Regionally,thereareairoperations‘hubs’orairoperationscommunicationcentresthatuse
‘internal’trackingandmonitoringplatformsinordertohavevisibilityandoversiteofair
operationsinthatparticularregion.ManyNationalAntarcticProgramsstationsusepublic,
internet‐basedappsorsoftwaretogetapictureofairoperationsintheirarea.
Agendaitem5
KeyMessagesfromNationalAntarcticPrograms
63. NationalAntarcticProgramsmustfollownationallegislation,whichthereforefeedsinto
AntarcticoperationsandintoSARpolicy,guidanceandresponse.
64. NationalAntarcticProgramscontinuetostresstheimportanceofinternationalcooperation
inordertobesuccessfulandsafeintheAntarctic.Effortsspentbuildingrelationshipsare
nevertimewasted.
65. MorethanhalfofallCOMNAPMemberNationalAntarcticProgramsrespondedtoa
COMNAPsurveythattheyareplanningfor,orareintheprocessof,modernizationoftheir
infrastructure.InfrastructureprojectstendtoaddcomplexityandpeopletoAntarctic
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operations.
66. NationalAntarcticProgramoperationsarechanging.Examplesofchangeincludethe
openingandoperationofnewrunwaysandheliports,theextensionofoperationsby
groundtraverse,theadditionofnewicebreakerstothefleetandtheexpansionofperiods
ofAntarcticoperationsofsupporttoscience.ThereisalsoplannedbuildsofAntarctic
stationsandotherinfrastructurebeginning.SomeofthesechangeshavebenefitswhenSAR
responsesareneededandinreducingfuelusage.Therehavebeenupgradesto
infrastructuresandadditionalassetsandtechnologycapabilities,suchasaircapabilities
andimagerycapabilities,whichareenhancedresourcesforSARsituations.
67. SomeNationalAntarcticProgramsareseeingchangesintheirstationpersonnel
demographics,suchas,anincreaseintheaverageageofstationpersonnel.Thisbringswith
itchangesinmedicalsituationsandmedicalconditionsinindividuals.Therehasbeenan
increaseinmedevacsbutitisnotclearifthisisrelatedtoriskaversion(i.e.removinga
patientjusttobe“onthesafeside”)orarealincreaseinmedicalincidentsthaninthepast.
Basedonpastexperiences,someprogramsrequirethattheirpersonnelundergoappendix
removaloperationsbeforedeploymentinordertoreduceriskbyeliminatingtheneedfor
appendectomy.
68. Onlyafewcountriesoperateinter‐continentalairoperations.Manymoreoperateinter‐
continentalshipoperationsforpassengersandformovementofcargoandfuel.Aircraft
andcrews,andvesselsandcrews,areoftencharteredbytheNationalAntarcticProgramto
carryoutaspecificamountofoperationsandlogistics.Somechartersarelong‐term
agreements;othersaremadeonanannualbasis.Intheeventtheagreementisforsome
reasonnotmet,itisoftendifficulttofindalternativearrangementsandprovidersespecially
onshortnoticeandespeciallygiventheparticularsofAntarcticoperations.
69. Programsareworkinghardtoensureinthecaseoftheirpersonnelthatthe‘search’
componentisnotnecessaryinanemergency.Thatis,thattherearegoodsystemsand
technologiesinplacetoensurethewhereaboutsofallprogrampersonnelarealways
knownwhileintheAntarctic.Often,simplesystemssuchasaneasytoviewstation
“muster”boardandarow/columngridsystemonmapsoftheimmediateareasurrounding
astationcanbeextremelyusefulandeasytousebyeveryoneinanemergency.
70. IntheeventofanincidentthatrequiresstationpersonneltoparticipateinaSARevent,pre‐
deploymenttrainingisimportant,asisensuringallpersonnelhaveanunderstandingofthe
equipmentthatwillbeusedinaSARsituation.Equipmentsuchasropes,fireextinguishers,
patientmovementequipmentareafewexamples.Inorderforprogrammestoshareor
exchangepersonnel,thereshouldbeacommonapproachtotrainingorgreater
collaborationontrainingacrossprograms.
71. Personnelshouldbeencouragedtospeakupwhentheyseesomethingthatappearstobea
“normalisationofdeviance”.Thatis,somethingmayhavebeendoneaparticularwayfor
manyyears,however,thatdoesnotmakethepracticeorprocedurecorrectorevensafe.
Newpersonnelbringfreshknowledgethatshouldbeconsideredandencouraged.There
aredifferentunderstandingsofrisk.Certainly,riskincreaseswhen“attheextreme”isseen
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as“normal”or“doable”.
72. SomeNationalAntarcticProgramsareestablishing“assurance”boards,orexternalexpert
panelsthatcanbecalledupontoconsultonaparticularproblem,projectorissue.Such
independentconsultantsarelikelytobeinapositiontoaskthedifficultquestionsthat
internalpersonsmaybeafraidtoask.
73. DuetoAntarcticconditionstherearelimitedtimewindowsforparticulartypesof
operation.Forexample,seaiceconditionsplayakeyrolenotonlyforvesseloperationsbut
alsoforhowlongeachseasonseaicerunwayscanbesafelyutilized.
74. Australiahasdevelopedexpertiseonpolarmedicineincludingdeepfieldmedicinethat
theyarehopingtosharewithotherNationalAntarcticPrograms.
75. Therearelowfrequency,buthighimpactSARevents.Planningforthosemustbedoneona
regularbasis,especiallywhennewpersonnelareinvolvedeachyearandmaynothave
experiencedaparticularlowfrequencyeventduringtheircareer.
76. WhilemostSARsituationsfocusonthemarineandcoastalAntarcticenvironments,inland
Antarcticstationsarecalledontorendermedicalassistanceorareusedintheresponse
planchain.
Agendaitems6
COMNAPproductsandtools
77. COMNAPisanorganisationthatcanassistinthedevelopmentofresources,productsand
toolswithinputfromthecommunity.
78. ExistingproductsincludetheATOM,thee‐AFIM,theCATS(anupgradetotheShipPosition
ReportingSystem(SRRS))andtheAntarcticStationCatalogue(printed,downloadablePDF
andasGISlayer).Simpleinformationexchangeisalsoveryimportant,andthisispartially
achievedbytheCOMNAPRegionalBreakoutGroupsInformationExchangetemplate.
79. TheATOMisagoodtoolforsharingpointsofcontactanddetailsforNationalAntarctic
Programvessels,stations,programmanagersanddeputymanagersandtheRCCpointsof
contact.Itshouldberegularlyreviewedbyallthosewhoseinformationisincludedto
ensuretheinformationiscorrectandanychangesrequiredshouldbeimmediately
informedtotheCOMNAPSecretariat.AllNationalAntarcticProgramshaveaccesstoATOM
bywayoftheCOMNAPMembers‐onlywebsiteandallNationalAntarcticProgramscould
sharetheATOMwiththeirGovernmentMinistries.
80. ThetimetolookatthecurrencyoftheinformationintheATOMande‐AFIMisnotatthe
timeofaSARincident.Itisimportantforeveryonetoregularlyreviewtheinformationin
ATOMande‐AFIMandregularreviewoftheseproductsshouldbeaddedtothework
programmesofatleastonepersonfromeachNationalAntarcticProgramandSARagency.
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81. TheCATStooliscurrentlyunderdevelopment.IthasmadeanadvanceontheSPRSin
regardtosendinginpositiondata‐whichcannowbedoneautomaticallyfromashipor
aircraft,butthereisstillsomeworktobedoneinordertoprovidetheoverallpictureof
assetstovesselsintheAntarcticTreatyareathatmayhavelimitedbandwidthfor
interactingwithCATS.Newtechnologiesmayassistwiththisinthenearfuture.
82. BeyondCOMNAP,rangesofothertoolsexist.Theseincludeseaiceimagerytechnologies,
mappingproducts,RemotelyPilotedAircraftSystems(RPAS)‐relatedtechnologies,satellite
communicationstechnologiesandcoverage,andmanymore.Sharingtheinformationon
proventechnologiesisaprimarygoalofCOMNAPthroughitsAdvancingCritical
TechnologiesExpertGroup.
83. TheCOMNAPSecretariat,webpagesandtheAnnualGeneralMeetingcanassistwith
collectivesolutionsifNationalAntarcticProgramscomepreparedwiththeinformationto
exchangeanddiscuss.WhiletheCOMNAPSecretariatcanassist,thereisnoresourcefor
theSecretariattobea24/7coordinationresponsehub,thisshouldbeleftinthehandsof
theRCCsandtheNationalAntarcticProgramsinvolved.
Agendaitem7
Lessonslearnedfromrecentrealevents
RealEvent1:FireatBahiaFildes
Keylessonslearned:
i. Routineinspectionofthebuildinginvolveddidnotdetectapotentialproblem.Thefire
oncestartedmayhavebeenundetectedforseveralminutesbecauseitbeganinabuilding
roofspace.Inspectionsthataremorefrequentarerequiredcoupledwithimprovementsin
firedetectionsystems.
ii. Nooneinthebasewasinjuredorkilledduetoimmediateevacuationaccordingtothe
evacuationplaninplace.Theimportanceofanevacuationplanishighlightedcoupledwith
regulartrainingexercisesandregularfireescapedrills.
iii. Theplacementoffire‐fightingequipmentmeantthattheclosestequipmenttothefire
couldnotbeaccessed.Fire‐fightingequipmentfromtheairfieldwasbroughttothescene
buthadtoberefilledawayfromthesiteofthefireandallthistooktime.
iv. Antarcticconditionswereverychallenging‐extremecoldandhighwindshinderedthe
abilitytofightthefireandtokeepwaterinaliquidstate.
v. Theprevailingwinddirectionduringthefiremeantthatnearbybuildingswereindangerof
alighting.Thiswaspreventedduetogoodresponse,butpeopleintheotherbuildingalso
hadtobeevacuated.Extendingthedistancebetweenbuildingsiscostlyandmaybea
safetyissueofitsownbutproximityofbuildingandprevailingwinddirectionshouldbe
consideredwhenplanninganewbuild.
vi. Allpersonnelaffectedhadtohaveshelterina“placeofsafety”,awayfromthedangerof
fireandshelteredfromAntarcticconditions.Thiswasonlypossibleduetothevicinityof
otherbuildingnearby.NotallAntarcticfacilitieshavenearby/neighbouringsuitable
facilities.
vii. ManycountriescametotheaidofChileduringthefireandallwantedtohelp,butthelack
15
ofwaterwasthekeyfactor.Afterthefirewasextinguished,manycountrieswereableto
supportthecontinuedfunctioningoftheChileanNavyprogramandofferedtemporary
facilitiessotherecouldbecontinuationoftheworknormallyperformedatthefacilitythat
wasdestroyed.
viii. Clean‐upeffortsareamajorcomponentofsuchincidentsandtakealongtimetocomplete.
Thoseeffortsareimportantbuttheydoaffectnormaloperations.
ix. Thecauseofthefirewaspoorconditionofwiringinthebuilding.Antarcticconditionscan
meanthatwiringinsulationismadebrittleandaffectsperformancetimeframes,soshould
becheckedmoreoftenthanwhatwouldbeusualinotherlatitudes.
RealEvent2:Medicalevacuation
Keylessonslearned:
i. Amedicalevacuationor“medevac”isnotuniversallydefinedasaSAReventbyallNational
AntarcticProgramsandallRCCs,andthereforemaynotbestrictlyappropriatetodiscussas
partofaSARWorkshop.
ii. Inmanycases,amedevacdoesnotrequireimmediatereactionandresponse,butisan
actioncarriedoutafterpre‐planneddiscussionbasedonthepatientssituation.Itmay
requireassistancefromanotheragencyorcountry,butisnotanobligation,orcanbe
carriedoutbyoneagencyorcountryonitsown.
iii. ThedistinctionisimportantbecauseforSARevents,mostcountrieshavepolicyinplace
thatallowstheSARagencyandNationalAntarcticProgramtoworktogetherwithother
countrieswithoutobtainingpriorpermissionfromtheirministriesandauthoritiestodoso
fortheparticularevent.Thedistinctionisalsoimportantinthecontextofinsuranceand
costrecovery.
iv. Foranon‐SARmedicalsituation,itisadvisablethatNationalAntarcticPrograms
communicatedirectlywitheachothertocoordinateamedicalresponseorevacuation.
v. Inmedicalsituations,itisstillencouragedtokeeptheRCCinformedastheymight
contributewiththeiroversiteoforganisationsthatmightbeabletoassist.
vi. FurtherdiscussionmaybeneededattheCOMNAPAGMtoensureweunderstandthe
meaningoftermssuchas“medevac”and“medicaltransfer”andtounderstand
appropriatelinesofcommunicationintheeventofmedicalrequests.
Agendaitem8
RegionalMassRescueOperation(MRO)ScenariosWorkshop
Backgroundtoagendaitem8
TheATCMXL(2017)FinalReportnotesinparagraph240,that“TheUnitedStatespresentedIP72
AntarcticMassRescueOperationsResponseandPreparednessChallenges,whichprovidedan
overviewofthechallengesassociatedwithrespondingtoamassrescueoperation(MRO)inthe
AntarcticTreatyAreaforland,airorseaSARincidents...StressingthataneffectiveMROresponse
relieduponthedevelopmentofarealisticandeffectivecontingencyplanandexercisestotestthe
plan...”COMNAPwelcomedthesuggestiontoincludeanMROscenarioontheSARWorkshopIV
Agenda.
AMROisonethatinvolvestheneedforimmediateassistancetolargenumbersofpersonsin
distresssuchthatcapabilitiesnormallyavailabletoSARauthoritiesareinadequate(IMO
16
definition).
Theobjectiveofthisagendaitemwastodeveloparesponsetothreespecificscenariosto
evacuatesurvivorstoaninitialplaceofsafetyandtodiscussplanningconsiderationsfor
repatriationofsurvivorsfromtheAntarcticenvironment.ThethreeregionalMROscenarioswere
identified,requiringplanningandresponsetoanaviation,landandmarineincidentrespectively.
Inpreparationfortheworkshop,SARAuthoritiesfromArgentinaandChile(PeninsulaRegion),
SouthAfricaandAustralia(DronningMaudLand/EastAntarctica)andNewZealand(RossSea)
selectedaspecificSARincidentappropriatetotheirrespectiveregions.TheseRCCscollaborated
withtheNationalAntarcticProgramsandotheragenciesintheirregionspriortotheworkshopto
discussplanningaroundresponseoptionsandcapabilities.
Fullscenarioswerepresented.Belowarethe“keystosuccess”asidentifiedduringdiscussions.
MROScenarioWorkshopOutcomesand“KeystoSuccess”
Region:Peninsula
Scenario:Aviation–missingaircraftditchedintothesea
AnaviationaccidentbecomesaSARintheterrestrialorinthemarineenvironment.Inthis
particularcase,thereisapproximatelya30‐minutesurvivaltimeinthewater.Inother
partsoftheAntarctic,survivaltimeswillbemuchless.Tohaveanychanceofsurvival
dependsonpreparationsandpre‐planningbeforeanyaccident.
ThepossibilityofrescuingsurvivorsinaSARsituationcausedbytheemergencyofan
aircraftthatditchesintoAntarcticwatersislow.Theprobabilitywillvarydependingonthe
prevailingweatherconditionsandtherelativepositionofaerialandsurfacemeans
operatinginthearea,whichwilldeterminethetimeofarrivalofSARunitstotheimpact
position.
Anincreaseinglobalflightactivityisheighteningconcernsrelatedtoaviationaccidentsof
global‐routedplanes,forexampleforflightsroutebetweenSouthAmericaandOceania
thatcrosstheAntarcticoverareasoftheSouthernOcean.Anaccidentinvolvinganyof
theselargecommercialaircraftwouldrequireaswiftandcoordinatedresponsetohave
anychanceatfindinganysurvivors.
TheArgentinaandChileRCCscooperatethroughouttheirSARRegions(SRRs),notjustin
theAntarctic.ThisconstantpartnershipaddsvaluewhenAntarcticSARisrequired.
TheArgentinaandChileRCCshaveamaturerelationshipwiththeNationalAntarctic
ProgramsthathavebeenoperatinginthePeninsulaforsometime.
IntheeventofaMROclosetothePeninsulaorinthePeninsulaitself,NationalAntarctic
Programpersonnel,facilitiesandassetswillbecalledupontoassistinthesearch,recovery,
andtosupport/houseorrepatriatesurvivors.Therefore,NationalAntarcticProgramsin
thevicinityofanMROshouldbemadeawareoftheaccidentbythecoordinatingRCCas
soonintheprocessaspossible.IAATOshouldalsobeinformed.
ManySARassetsinthePeninsularegionareavailabletorespondall‐year‐round.Between
November30thandMarch30th,theCombined(ArgentinaandChile)NavalAntarctic
Patrol(PANC)iscarriedout.ThisassuresthatashipispermanentlyintheAntarcticareato
attendtoemergenciesintheSARsectorofthePeninsula.
“Assets”canincludefacilities,suchas,thepermanentoperationoftheMarshAerodrome
thatisusedforperformingSARoperationsincludingevacuations,tothebenefitofallthe
AntarcticfacilitiesinthePeninsula.
17
AnAirForcecapabilityandresponsibilityinSARoperationsgivesanadvantageandoffers
immediacytotheexecutionofSARmissionsassoonaspossiblefromPresidenteFrei
Stationorfromthecontinent.
OperationoftheCospas‐Sarsatsatellitesegment(ChileanMissionControlCentre(CHMCC)
isimportantsinceitalertstheaeronauticSARandthemaritimeSAR,aswellasother
groundrescueorganizations.
Shortinter‐continentalAntarcticflyingdistancecoupledandpermanentairconnectivity
withyear‐roundFreiStationallowsforthetransfer,inashortperiodoftime,SARairassets
tosupporttheAntarcticSARoperationwhethertheyareanair,seaorlandaccidents.
Region:DronningMaudLand/EastAntarctica
Scenario:Marine–shipdisabledandadrift
DeterminationofthecoordinatingSARauthorityisasignificantconsideration,withthe
emphasisbeingontheagency“bestplaced”totaketheleadrole.Thisprovidesthelegal
frameworkfortheresponse.
Collaborationbetweenmulti‐nationalorganisationsisvital,notjustduringincidents.The
uniquenatureandtheharshisolatedenvironmentofAntarcticamakeshavingthebigger
pictureregardingassetavailabilityessential.COMNAPcanbeinstrumentalinachieving
this.
Understandingthatlanguagecanbeabarrier,ascanlargedistancesinthisregion.
Longer‐termconsiderationssuchassurvivorrepatriation,suppliesandvesselsalvage,need
tobeaddressedearlyduetotheiroftencomplexnatureandthelongleadtimesinvolved.
Havingthe“biggerpicture”regardingassetavailabilityisextremelyimportant.
Region:RossSea
Scenario:Land–outbreakofhighlycontagiousvirusataremotefieldcamp
Earlyidentificationofsituationandhavingcontingencyplans(differentweathersituations)
iscritical.
Patientsneedtobeisolatedtopreventthespreadofdisease,buttheyalsoneedmedical
carefromsomeoneintheremotefieldcamp.
Thepossibilityneedstobeconsideredthatthemedicalprovidermaybecomeunwell.
Understandingthatinaremotefieldcamp,whilethereareusuallyplentyofprovisionsand
resources,theyarestilllimitedtoacertainperiodoftime.Therearealsotransportation
limitationsduetodistance,weatherandterrain,andexpertiseincaseoftheneedtoland
traversepatientsbackoutofthefield.
Itisimportanttohaveawarenessofthecapabilities/resourcesavailabletootherRCC’s,
NationalAntarcticProgramsandNGO’s,andthecoordinatingbodyshouldbereadyto
reachouttoallavailableagencies(governmentandNGO)thatmaybeinapositionto
assist.
UtiliseCOMNAPresourcesasawayofsharinginformation.TheCOMNAPSARpageand
CATScanhelpidentifybothrisksandresources.
Aconsistentkeytosuccessidentifiedacrossallregionswastheneedforclosecooperation
betweenRCCsandNationalAntarcticPrograms,bothwithinandacrossregions.Criticalto
achievingthisisknowingwhichagencytocontactandhowtocontactthem.TheATOMwas
identifiedasausefulresource,buttobeeffectiveallagenciesneededtoensuretheircontact
informationwasregularlyupdatedandalwayscurrent.
18
Appendix 1: SAR Workshop IV Registration List
1a:WellingtonWorkshopDelegates
Name Surname Role Organisation Country Emailaddress
Mariana Alvarez‐Rodriguez DeputyHeadofMission EmbassyoftheArgentineRepublicinNewZealand Argentina mrv@mrecic.gov.ar
Rocco Ascione LogisticService ENEA Italy rocco.ascione@enea.it
Gianluca BianchiFasani HeadofLogisticService ENEA Italy gianluca.bianchifasani@enea.it
Jared Blows MRCCChief SouthAfricanMaritimeSafetyAuthority(SAMSA) SouthAfrica jblows@samsa.org.za
Andrew Burden SeniorSAROfficer(Aviation) AustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority(AMSA) Australia awb@amsa.gov.au
Nicola Burgess AntarcticProgrammePlanner AntarcticaNewZealand NewZealand n.burgess@antarctica nz.govt.nz
Lars Christiansen HeadofAntarcticAffairs ArmadadeChile(Navy) Chile lchristiansenp@gmail.com
Vincenzo Cincotti HeadofTechnicalAntarcticUnit ENEA Italy vincenzo.cincotti@enea.it
Robb Clifton OperationsManager AustralianAntarcticDivision(AAD) Australia robb.clifton@aad.gov.au
Brendan Comerford Manager MaritimeOperationsCentre(MOC) NewZealand brendan.comerford@kordia.co .nz
ChristianDavid Corona ChiefofMRCCPuertoBelgrano ArgentineNavy Argentina cdcorona@ara.mil.ar
Mark Dittmer SeniorCommunicationsandMediaAdvisor MaritimeNewZealand NewZealand mark.dittmer@maritimenz.govt.nz
Catherine Dymock StaffOfficerPlanning:DomesticandRegionalOperationsHQJFNZ NewZealandDefenceForce NewZealand catherine.dymock@nzdf.mil.nz
Kelly Falkner Director,OPP&USAP/COMNAPChair NationalScienceFoundation(NSF)/COMNAPEXCOM USA kfalkner@nsf.gov
Jack Fenaughty FisheriesOperationsConsultant NewZealandIndustryToothfishCommittee NewZealand j[email protected]m
Duncan Ferner ManagerNZSARSecretariat NewZealandSearchandRescue(NZSAR) NewZealand d.ferner@nzsar.govt.nz
Michelle Finnemore ExecutiveSecretary COMNAPSecretariat NewZealand michelle.finnemore@comnap.aq
Aurora Fleming CDR,U.S.CoastGuard CoastGuardOfficeofSearchandRescuePolicy USA Aurora.I.Flemin[email protected]
Cindy Francis SeniorSARMissionCoordinator(Maritime) AustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority(AMSA) Australia [email protected]u
Wei Fuhai HeadofExpeditionandOperationDepartment PolarResearchInstituteofChina(PRIC) China chengxuyu@Pric.org.cn
Chris Gallagher FieldSupport&EmergencyManagementCoordinator AustralianAntarcticDivision(AAD) Australia chris.gallagher@aad.gov.au
Simon Garrod DirectorofOperations BritishAntarcticSurvey(BAS) UK smga@bas.ac.uk
John Garton StaffOfficerPlanning:DomesticandRegionalOperationsHQJFNZ NewZealandDefenc eForce NewZealand john.garton@nzdf. mil.nz
Luke Gaskin SeniorPolicyOfficer MinistryofForeignAffairsandTrade(MFAT) NewZealand luke.gaskin@mfat.govt.nz
Harvey Goodwin FieldSafetyOfficer NorwegianPolarInstitute(NPI) Norway Harvey@npolar.no
KyleWesley Grove AssistantSMC ATNS:ARCC SouthAfrica kylewgr@yahoo.com
Mike Hill ManagerJRCCNZandSafetyServices MaritimeNewZealand NewZealand Mike.Hill@maritimenz.govt.nz
Greg Johnston SeniorSearchandRescueOfficer,LeadAntarcticSAR JointRescueCoordinationCentreNewZealand(JRCCNZ) NewZealand greg.johnston@maritimenz.govt.nz
Christoph Kasch PolarLogisticsManager FederalInstituteforGeosciencesandNaturalResources(BGR) Germany Christo ph.Kasch@bgr.de
Lisa Kelley HeadofOperations InternationalAssociationofAntarcticaTourOperators(IAATO) USA lkelley@iaato.org
Margaret Knuth USAPOperationsManager NationalScienceFoundation(NSF) USA mknuth@nsf.gov
Hyoung‐Geun Lee HeadofLogisticsandOperation KoreaPolarResearchInstitute(KOPRI)
RepublicofKorea hglee@kopri. re.kr
Chunlei Li DivisionofFinanceandOperation ChineseArcticandAntarcticAdministratio n(CAA) China lichunlei@caa. mnr.gov.cn
Sven Lidstrom OperationsCoordinato r NorwegianPolarInstitute(NPI) Norway sven.lidstrom@npolar.no
Steve Lock MPINMCC‐LO MinistryforPrimaryIndustries(MPI) NewZealand steve.lock@mpi.govt.nz
Elke Louw ManagerMarineandRegionalWeatherServices MetService NewZealand elke.louw@metservice.com
SantiagoMauricio Madrid ChileanAirForceAntarcticAdviser ChileanAntarcticProgram Chile smadrid@fach.mil.cl
Keith Manch Director MaritimeNewZealand NewZealand Keith.Manch@maritimenz.govt.nz
Cathie McGregor SeniorInternationalAdvisor,PolicyDevelopment&SystemDesign MaritimeNewZealand NewZealand Cathie.McGregor@maritimenz.govt.nz
Louise Proctor ManagerResponsePolicy AustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority(AMSA) Australia louise.proctor@amsa.gov.au
David Rootes ALEEnvironmentalLogistics InternationalAssociationofAntarcticaTourOperators(IAATO) UK david.rootes@antarctic‐logistics.com
Paul Sheppard USAPChiefProgramManager NationalScienceFoundation(NSF) USA psheppar@nsf.gov
Ben Smith P3‐KPlanner‐HQJFNZ NewZealandDefenceForce NewZealand benjamin.smith@nzdf.mil.nz
Evan Solly MasterTangaroa NationalInstituteofWaterandAtmosphericResearch(NIWA) NewZealand e.so[email protected]
David Stevens SeniorFisheriesAnalyst MinistryforPrimaryIndustries(MPI) NewZealand dave.stevens@mpi.govt.nz
Andrew Thornton SeniorNationalOf ficer(NZDF) AntarcticaNewZealand NewZealand a.thornton@antarcticnz.gov.nz
Simon Trotter GeneralManagerofAntarcticOperations AntarcticaNewZealand NewZealand s.trotter@antarcticanz.govt.nz
Murray Tuffin MaritimeLea d‐CapabilityBranch,HQNZDF NewZealandDefenceForce NewZealand murray.tuffin@nzdf.mil.nz
David Wilson WatchLeader,SeniorSAROfficer RescueCoordinationCentreNewZealand(RCCNZ) NewZealand David.Wilson@maritimenz.govt.nz
Chris Wilson SeniorSearchandRescueOfficer JointRescueCoordinationCentreNewZealand(JRCCNZ) NewZealand Chris.Wilson@maritimenz.govt.nz
Rob Wooding GeneralManagerSupport&Operations AustralianAntarcticDivision(AAD) Australia rob.wooding@aad.gov.au
Cheng Xuyu Engineer PolarResearchInstituteofChina(PRIC) China chengxuyu@Pric .org.cn
1b:ChristchurchWorkshopDelegates
Name Surname Role Organisation Country Emailaddress
Mariana Alvarez‐Rodriguez DeputyHeadofMission EmbassyoftheArgentineRepublicinNewZealand Argentina mrv@mrecic.gov.ar
Rocco Ascione LogisticService ENEA Italy rocco.ascione@enea.it
Gianluca BianchiFasani HeadofLogisticService ENEA Italy gianluca.bianchifasani@enea.it
Jared Blows MRCCChief SouthAfricanMaritimeSafetyAuthority(SAMSA) SouthAfrica jblows@samsa.org.za
Matt Brown AntarcticProgrammePlanner AntarcticaNewZealand NewZealand M.Brown@antarcticanz.govt.nz
Andrew Burden SeniorSAROfficer(Aviation) AustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority(AMSA) Australia awb@amsa.gov.au
Nicola Burgess AntarcticProgrammePlanner AntarcticaNewZealand NewZealand n.burgess@anta rcticanz.govt.nz
Lars Christiansen HeadofAntarcticAffairs ArmadadeChile(Navy) Chile lchristia[email protected]m
Vincenzo Cincotti HeadofTechnicalAntarcticUnit ENEA Italy vincenzo.cincotti@enea.it
Robb Clifton OperationsManager AustralianAntarcticDivision(AAD) Australia robb.clifton@aa d. gov.au
Andrea Colo mbo ResearchandProjectDevelopmentManager COMNAPSecretariat NewZealand andrea.colombo@canterbury.ac.nz
Brendan Comerford Manager MaritimeOperationsCentre(MOC) NewZealand brendan.comerfo[email protected]o.nz
ChristianDa vid Corona ChiefofMRCCPuertoBelgrano ArgentineNavy Argentina cdcoron[email protected]il.ar
Brian Crocker VP&COO KennBorekAirLtd Canada bcrocker@bo rekair.com
Kelly Falkner Director,OPP&USAP/COMNAPChair NationalScienceFoundation(NSF)/COMNAPEXCOM USA kfa[email protected]
Michelle Finnemore ExecutiveSecretary COMNAPSecretariat NewZealand michelle.finnemore@comnap.aq
Aurora Fleming CDR,U.S.CoastGuard CoastGuardOfficeofSearchandRescuePolicy USA Aurora.I.Fleming@uscg.mil
Cindy Francis SeniorSARMissionCoordinator(Maritime) AustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority(AMSA) Australia clf@amsa.gov.au
Wei Fuhai HeadofExpeditionandOperationDepartment PolarResearchInstituteofChina(PRIC) China chengxuyu@Pric.org.cn
Chris Gallagher FieldSuppo rt&EmergencyManagementCoordinator AustralianAntarcticDivision(AAD) Australia chris.gallagher@aad.gov.au
Simon Garrod DirectorofOperations BritishAntarcticSurvey(BAS) UK smga@bas.ac.uk
Harvey Goodwin FieldSafetyOfficer NorwegianPolarInstitute(NPI) Norway Harvey@npolar.no
KyleWesley Grove AssistantSMC ATNS:ARCC SouthAfrica kylewgr@yahoo.com
Gudmundur Gudjonsson ArcticTrucks InternationalAssociationofAntarcticaTourOperators(IAATO) Iceland gudmundur@arctictrucks.is
John Guldahl DirectorOperationsandLogistics/COMNAPViceChair NorwegianPolarInstitute(NPI)/COMNAPEXCOM Norway guldahl@npolar.no
Gen Hashida DeputyDirector/ProfessorCenterforAntarcticProgram NationalInstituteofPolarResearch(NIPR) Japan gen@nipr.ac.jp
Richie Hunter ProgramSupport AntarcticaNewZealand NewZealand maindivide@gmail.com
Greg Johnston SeniorSearchandRescueOfficer,LeadAntarcticSAR JointRescueCoordinationCentreNewZealand(JRCCNZ) NewZealand greg.johnston@maritimenz.govt.nz
Christoph Kasch PolarLogisticsManager FederalInstituteforGeosciencesandNaturalResources(BGR) Germany [email protected]e
Lisa Kelley HeadofOperations InternationalAssociationofAntarc ticaTourOperators(IAATO) USA lkelley@iaato.org
Simone Kent AdministrationOfficer AntarcticaNewZealand N ewZealand s.kent@antarcticanz.govt.nz
Margaret Knuth USAPOperationsManager NationalScienceFoundation(NSF) USA mknuth@nsf.gov
Hyoung‐Geun Lee HeadofLogisticsandOperation KoreaPolarResearchInstitute(KOPRI)
RepublicofKorea
hglee@kopri.re. kr
Jonathan Leitch EngineeringSolutionsManager AntarcticaNewZealand NewZealand J.Leitch@antarcticanz.govt.nz
Chunlei Li DivisionofFinanceandOperation ChineseArcticandAntarcticAdministration(CAA) China lichunlei@caa.mnr.gov.cn
Sven Lidstrom OperationsCoordinator NorwegianPolarInstitute(NPI) Norway sven.lidstrom@npolar.no
SantiagoMauricio Madrid ChileanAirForceAntarcticAdviser ChileanAntarcticProgram Chile smadrid@fach.mil.cl
Stuart McFadzean WhiteDesertOperationsManager InternationalAssociationofAntarcticaTourOperators(IAATO) Australia stuart@white‐desert.com
Louise Proctor ManagerResponsePolicy AustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority(AMSA) Australia louise.proctor@amsa.gov.au
Wolfgang Rack Externalspeaker GatewayAntarctica,UniversityofCanterbury NewZealand wolfgang.rack@canterbury.ac.nz
David Rootes ALEEnvironmentalLogistics InternationalAssociationofAntarcticaTourOperators(IAATO) UK david.rootes@antarctic‐logistics.com
Nathan Russ DirectorofOperations HeritageExpeditions2018 NewZealand nathanr.heritage@gmail.com
Paul Sheppard USAPChiefProgramManager NationalScienceFoundation(NSF) U SA psheppar@nsf.gov
Evan Solly MasterTangaroa NationalInstituteofWaterandAtmosphericResearch(NIWA) NewZealand e.solly@gmail.com
Andrew Thornton SeniorNationalOfficer(NZDF) AntarcticaNewZealand NewZealand a. thornton@antarcticnz.gov.nz
Priit Tisler Logistic,ScienceSupport FinnishAntarcticResearchProgram/FinnishMeteorologicalInstitute Finland priit.tisler@fmi.fi
Simon Trotter GeneralManagerofAntarcticOperations AntarcticaNewZealand NewZealand s.trotter@antarcticanz.govt.nz
Carl vanderMeulen SeniorAdvisor NewZealandSearchandRescue(NZSAR) NewZealand c.vandermeulen@gmail.com
Bonney Webb FisheryMonitoringandComplianceManager
CommissionfortheConservationofAntarticMarineLivingResources(CCAMLR)Secretariat
Australia bonney.webb@ccamlr.org
Christine Wesche LogisticSupport AlfredWegenerInstitute(AWI) Germany christine.wesche@awi.de
David Wilson WatchLeader,SeniorSAROffic er RescueCoordinationCentreNewZealand(RCCNZ) NewZealand David.Wilson@maritimenz.govt.nz
Chris Wilson SeniorSearchandRescueOfficer JointResc ueCo ordinationCentreNewZealand(JRCCNZ) NewZealand Chris.Wilson@maritimenz.govt.nz
Rob Woo ding GeneralManagerSupport&Operations AustralianAntarcticDivision(AAD) Australia rob.wooding@aad.gov.au
Cheng Xuyu Engineer PolarResearchInstituteofChina(PRIC) China chengxuyu@Pric.org.cn
Supkyu Yoon Administrator KoreaPolarResearchInstitute(KOPRI)
RepublicofKorea
skyoo[email protected]
19
Appendix 2: SAR Workshop IV Agenda & Schedule
Agenda
1. Opening, apologies, introductions
2. Background to the SAR Workshop IV and brief review of SAR Workshop III, and
update on progress
3. Exchange of information/key messages from Rescue Coordination Centres
4. Exchange of information/key messages related to non-governmental operations,
fisheries and all air activity:
a. Air operations in the Peninsula Region
b. Air activity in support of National Antarctic Program operations
c. IAATO and air activity in relation to tourism
d. National Antarctic Program Air Activity including Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Systems (RPAS)
e. Fisheries activity
5. Exchange of information/key messages from National Antarctic Programs
6. COMNAP products and tools
a. e-AFIM
b. COMNAP Asset Tracking System (CATS)
c. Other tools in support of science, operations and logistics
7. Best practice and lessons learned during recent real Antarctic emergency events
8. Regional Mass Rescue Operation (MRO) Scenarios Workshop
a. Peninsula-aviation scenario
b. Ross Sea Region-traverse scenario
c. Dronning Maud Land/East Antarctica-marine scenario
9. Conclusions
10. Close
20
COMNAP SAR Workshop VI Schedule: Day 1 Wellington
Venue: (Buses will take delegates to) The Ricoh Sports Centre, 237 Taita Drive, Avalon, Lower Hutt
Day 1: Tuesday 14 May 2019 (09:00–19:00)
09:00
For all delegates-bus transfer from city to SAR Workshop venue
Bus departs from Te Papa–Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
55 Cable Street, Wellington
09:45 Delegates arrive workshop venue, pick up name badges
10:00–11:00
Session Chair: Greg Johnston
a) Opening, introductions and welcome
Introduction from Mike Hill, Manager JRCCNZ
Welcome from Michelle Rogan-Finnemore, COMNAP Executive Secretary
Welcome from Keith Manch, Director Maritime New Zealand
b) Safety, practical and technical challenges in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
10:30–10:50 Greg Johnston “The JRCCNZ Antarctic SAR Response Plan”
10:50–11:00 Initial questions, comments and discussion
11:00–11:30 Coffee break
11:30–12:30 Session continues
11:30–11:50 Luke Gaskin, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
“Southern Ocean Overview”
11:50–12:10 Jack Fenaughty, New Zealand Industry Toothfish Committee, “A
Commercial Fisheries Perspective”
12:10–12:30 Cathie McGregor, Maritime New Zealand, “IMO Polar Code”
12:30–13:30 Lunch
13:30–14:30 c) New Zealand capabilities and operational commitments to Antarctica
13:30–13:50 Ben Smith, Royal New Zealand Air Force
13:50–14:10 Murray Tuffin, Royal New Zealand Navy
14:10–14:30 Discussion
14:30–16:00 Tour of the JRCCNZ Operations Room and Maritime Operations Centre
(two groups alternating with afternoon coffee break)
16:00
For all delegates-Bus departs venue for return to Wellington city centre
17:00–19:00
For all delegates-Diplomatic reception hosted by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs
& Trade
21
COMNAP SAR Workshop IV Schedule: Days 2 and 3 Christchurch
Venue: Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, Mainland Room, 57 Kilmore Street,
Christchurch Central (www.cecc.org.nz)
Day 2: Thursday 16 May 2019 (08:00–17:30)
08:00–09:00
Workshop registration
09:00–09:30
Sessions 1 & 2 Chair: Michelle Finnemore
(1) Opening, apologies, introductions
Welcome from Dr Kelly K. Falkner, COMNAP Chair; Greg Johnston, JRCCNZ; and
Simon Trotter, Antarctica New Zealand
(2) Workshop background and review of progress
09:30–11:00
Session 3 Chair: Greg Johnston
(3) Key Messages from Antarctic “gateway” RCCs
09:30–09:45 Christian David Corona, Chief, Puerto Belgrano SAR RCC, Argentina
09:45–10:00 Lars Christiansen, Head Antarctic Affairs, Chilean Navy, Chile
10:00–10:15 Santiago Madrid, Advisor, Chilean Air Force, Chile
10:15–10:30 Chris Wilson, Senior SAR Officer, JRCCNZ, New Zealand
10:30–10:45 Louise Proctor, Manager Response Policy, ASMA Australia
10:45–11:00 Jared Blows, Chief, MRCC Cape Town, South Africa
11:00–11:30
Coffee break
11:30–11:40
11:40–12:30
Session 3 continues: Further discussion and summary of key points from session 3
Session 4 Chair: Kelly Falkner
(4) Key Messages from fisheries and aviation sectors
11:40–11:55 Bonney Webb, Fishery Monitoring & Compliance Manager, CCAMLR
11:55–12:10 David Rootes, ALE Logistics Manager, IAATO
12:10–12:25 Paul Sheppard, Chief Program Manager USAP & COMNAP Air
Operations Expert Group Leader
12:25–12:30 Questions, comments, initial discussion
12:30–14:00
Lunch break
14:00–15:30
Session 5 Chair: Simon Trotter
(5) Key Messages from National Antarctic Programs
14:00–14:15 Vincenzo Cincotti, Director, ENEA,
Italian National Antarctic Program
14:15–14:30 Wei Fuhai, Deputy Division Head of Expedition and Operation, Polar
Research Institute of China
14:30–14:45 Chris Gallagher,
Field Support & Emergency Management Co-ordinator,
Australian Antarctic Division
14:45–15:00 Simon Garrod, Director of Operations,
British Antarctic Survey
15:00-15:30 Discussion of sessions 3, 4 and 5
15:30–16:00
Coffee break
16:00-17:00
Session 6 Chair: Robb Clifton
(6) COMNAP products & tools
16:00–16:20 Update on COMNAP ATOM, CATS & the e-AFIM and annual
information exchange requirements
16:20–16:45 External guest speaker: Wolfgang Rack, Associate Professor,
University of Canterbury, “Sea Ice Remote Sensing Innovations:
Technology on the Aghulas II 2019 Voyage”
16:45–17:00 Discussion
17:00–17:30
Session 8 Chair: Dave Wilson Introduce Regional MRO Scenarios
18:30–20:30
Workshop Dinner
22
Day 3: Friday 17 May 2019 (08:30–16:00)
08:30-08:40
Summary of previous day / questions: Michelle Rogan-Finnemore
08:40–9:15
Session 7 Chair: Lars Christiansen
(7) Lessons learned from recent real events
8:40–8:50 Fire at Bahia Fildes (Chile)
8:50–9:00 Lessons learned from recent medavac in Peninsula (USA)
9:00–9:15 Discussion
9:15–12:30
Session 8 Chair: Dave Wilson
(8) Regional MRO Scenarios Workshop (Break-out groups)
Region: Peninsula, Co-Led by Lars Christiansen and Christian Corona
Region: East Antarctica/Dronning Maud Land, Co-Led by Jared Blows, Cindy Francis
and Andrew Burden
Region: Ross Sea Region, Co-Led by Greg Johnston and Richard Hunter
Includes reports back from each region and discussion
12:30–12:40 Close of formal part of workshop
12:40
Buses depart Workshop venue for Antarctica New Zealand offices-where lunch will
be provided and there will be a tour of the Antarctic-related facilities.
13:00–14:00 Lunch break
14:00–16:00 Tour of the airport campus headquarters of Antarctica New Zealand, and the
Christchurch offices of the Italian Antarctic Program, the Korean Antarctic Program
and the US Antarctic Program.
23
Appendix 3: SAR Workshop IV Action items
All
RefertotheCOMNAPATOM,e‐AFIMandtheSARWebsiteonaregularbasistoensureitisup‐to‐
datewithyourinformation.ContactCOMNAPSecretariatforanyupdatesrequired.
Pre‐deploymentcheckforregistrationofPersonnelLocatorBeacons(PLBs)(thatyouhave
awarenessof)thataregoingtobeusedintheAntarcticTreatyarea.
Thekeyworkshopmessagesandthepresentationsshouldbesharedwithawidergroup.The
COMNAP,theInternationalAssociationofAntarcticaTourOperators(IAATO),theCommissionfor
theConservationofAntarcticMarineLivingResources(CCAMLR)andAntarcticTreatySecretariats
havearoletoplayinthis,asdotheRCCsandtheCOMNAPMemberNationalAntarcticPrograms.
Sharingofpost‐incidentreviewdocumentsisrecognisedasavaluablelearningtoolandreportsof
lessonslearnedshouldbesharedbywayoftheCOMNAPMembers’Onlywebpage.Other
mechanismstosharesuchinformationshouldcontinuallybeexplored.
Explorefurtheroptionsforasystemthatwouldprovideoverallawarenessofallassets(marine,
landandair)intheAntarcticTreatyarea.
RCCs
SharewithotherRCCsanyrelevantMOUs,protocolsandpolicies.
PopulatetheSARWebpagewithinformation.
RefertoCCAMLRCM‐10‐04thatprovidestheframeworkfortheoperationofVMSdataand
providesforauthoriseduse.
NationalAntarcticPrograms
ConsidercommonapproachestoSARresponse‐relatedtrainingorgreatercollaborationontraining
acrossprograms.
AllNationalAntarcticProgramshaveaccesstoATOMbywayoftheCOMNAPMembers‐only
websiteandallNationalAntarcticProgramstosharetheATOMwiththeirGovernmentMinistries.
Considerthelimitations(suchasbandwidth)oftheCATSandexplorenewtechnologiesthatmay
existtoaddressthoselimitations
Others
Governmentalagenciesandorganisationsin“GatewayCities”areaskedtoconsiderthatSAR
coordinationandresponserequiresmedical/hospitalfacilitiesandassistanceoriginatingfromtheir
areas.Therefore,thosecitiesrequireassetsandhumancapabilitytorespondadequatelytoaSAR
situation.Placementandmaintenanceofmedicalequipmentin“gatewaycities”iscriticaland
requirescontinuedinvestmentbycountries.
24
IAATOalsorecognisestheneedtoshareinformationincludingtoremindRCCsoftheirmembers
assetswhichmightbecalledupontoassistintheeventofaSARincident.IAATOtofurther
considerationofhowbesttosharetheirinformation.
ForcountriesthathaveanagreedmediaprotocolbetweentheirRCCandtheirNationalAntarctic
Program,requesttheseprotocolsaresharedontheCOMNAPSARwebpage.
Recognisingthatthee‐AFIMisaCOMNAPproductthatismeanttoincludeallinformationrelated
toairoperationsintheAntarctic,commercialoperators,especiallythosethatareparticipatingin
remoteactivitiesfortouristsandhavedevelopedtheirowninfrastructureincludingrunwaysare
encouragedtoensureinformationinrelationtotheirairinfrastructureandairoperationsshould
beincludedinthee‐AFIM.
COMNAPAGMtoconsiderincludingtheAirOperationsPlanningMapSeriesintothee‐AFIM;to
considerincludingafocuseddiscussiononfirepreventionandresponseatanupcomingAGM;to
reviewterminologyinrelationtoSARevents,tomedevac,andtomedicaltransferaspartofan
upcomingSafetyExpertGroupsession.
ThroughaCOMNAPpapertotheATCM,recommendthatcompetentauthoritiesorthoseagencies
thatarepermittingorauthorisingrequestsfromairoperatorsforAntarcticTreatyareaactivities
considerthesafetyandSARimplicationsoftheactivitybeingproposedthatarenotlikelybeing
consideredbythecompetentauthority.Considerationshouldalsobegivenastowhetherthe
authorisationprocesscaninvolvetheRCCsandNationalAntarcticProgramsandtheCOMNAP
Secretariatorattheveryleastcommunicatethedetailsoftheproposedactivitiestotherelevant
RCC.
ForallthoseoperatingorcontractingpersonnedaircraftintheAntarcticTreatyarea,considerusing
technologiessuchasTrafficCollisionAvoidanceSystem(TCAS)inallfixedwingandrotaryaircraftin
ordertode‐conflictairspace.ThereiscurrentlynomandatoryrequirementforTCAStobeinstalled
andturnedon,althoughTrafficInformationBroadcastsbyAircraft(TIBA)asrecommendedbyICAO
Annex11isstillrecommendedforuseinATCMXXXVIResolution1(2013)andproceduresare
explainedine‐AFIMAppendix5.TCASisatechnologyadvancementontheTIBAsystemanddoes
notrequireVHFtransmissions.