ICAO — Short Course
Introduction to Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR)
Where sky meets sea, seconds decide survival. Designed to bridge aviation and maritime personnel with a unified operational language for SAR alerting, search planning, and joint coordination, in compliance with ICAO Annex 12 and the IAMSAR Manual.
Duration of Course:
5 Days
Course Overview
When an aircraft goes down over water or a vessel faces catastrophic failure at sea, time is the ultimate enemy. A successful rescue operation relies on seamless communication, synchronized tracking, and shared operational language between the skies and the seas.
The AvAC Introduction to Search and Rescue (SAR) Course is a cross-disciplinary program that bridges the critical gap between aviation and maritime personnel, establishing a unified understanding of SAR systems, alerting phases, search planning mechanics, and multi-agency coordination models, grounded in the IAMSAR Manual.
Participants will learn to apply the IAMSAR Manual to active operations, identify and trigger the standard ICAO/IMO emergency phases, differentiate roles within the SAR hierarchy, select appropriate search patterns, and coordinate communications across aviation and maritime channels.
Course Curriculum
Our Introduction to SAR Course is an immersive program engineered to transition trainees from single-discipline operational habits to joint aviation-maritime rescue coordination.
Module 1: The Global SAR Framework & Legal Basis
- Introduction to Global SAR Infrastructure
- International Legal Mandates
- The IAMSAR Paradigm
Module 2: System Organization, Roles & Alerting Phases
- The SAR Component Chain
- Personnel Definitions
- Emergency Alerting Phases
Module 3: Search Planning, Tracking & Environmental Geometrics
- Determining the Datum
- Search Pattern Selection
- Visual & Electronic Detection
Module 4: Joint Operations, Communications & Rescue Mechanics
- Aviation-Maritime Frequency Interoperability
- On-Scene Command Logistics
- Rescue and Evacuation Principles
Module 5: Case Studies, Tabletop Simulations & Validation
- Real-World Incident Analysis
- Joint Tabletop Command Exercise
- Course Synthesis & Evaluation
Rigorous Evaluation Standards
Theoretical Assessment: A written examination confirming a solid grasp of IAMSAR terms, emergency alerting timelines, and frequency mapping.
Successful participants will receive the AvAC Certificate of Competency in Introduction to Aeronautical & Maritime Search and Rescue Operations.
Pre-requisite
- An operational background in aviation or maritime emergency response — applicable to Air Traffic Services personnel (ATCOs, FIS Officers, Airspace Supervisors), Maritime Operations personnel (Coast Guard, Naval, Port Authority, Merchant Marine), SAR Agency personnel (RCC/RSC, emergency management agencies), or First Responders & Disaster Management personnel; or
- as determined by Civil Aviation Authority or other states Regulator/ Air Navigation Service Provider.
Course Schedule
Schedule on request
For more information regarding AvAC Introduction to Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Course, or any of our ICAO Standard ATC courses, please contact us