Search and Rescue operations are inherently complex, high-stakes, and often conducted in challenging environments. The success of a SAR mission directly hinges on the specialized skills, quick decision-making, and coordinated efforts of the personnel involved. They are the frontline responders, often operating under immense pressure to save lives at sea.
Scheme Design and Content
MSARES is designed for self-study, allowing participants the flexibility to work through the curriculum at their own pace. The scheme focuses on enabling candidates to demonstrate the essential knowledge for safe and efficient vessel operation across various SAR settings.
Key topics covered within the MSARES curriculum include:
- SAR Navigation and On-Scene Coordination: Understanding how to effectively navigate during SAR operations and coordinate rescue efforts at the incident site.
- Incident Command and Decision-Making: Developing the critical thinking and leadership skills needed to manage complex rescue missions under pressure.
- Crew and Casualty Management: Techniques for managing the well-being of the rescue crew and providing appropriate care for casualties.
- Communication: Effective communication strategies crucial for coordinating with various agencies and personnel during an SAR operation.
- Risk Assessment and Safety Management: Identifying and mitigating risks inherent in SAR operations to ensure the safety of all involved.
- Use of Specialist SAR Equipment: Proficiency in operating and maintaining specialized search and rescue equipment.
The scheme is structured with two distinct pathways – one for commanders and one for crew – each with its modules and tasks, ensuring that participants acquire the precise skills needed for their respective roles. Crew-level competencies focus on practical tasks like deck operations, effective searching, lookout duties, casualty recovery, and emergency procedures. Commander-level competencies emphasize strategic oversight, coordination, decision-making, and liaison with external agencies.
Benefits and Vision
Somiyeh Djavanroodi, Head of The Nautical Institute Academy, hailed MSARES as “a huge step in setting a global standard for search and rescue crew, ensuring that maritime professionals are equipped with the specific and often advanced competencies required to operate effectively and safely in high-pressure environments.”
Captain Matthew Schanck, Chairperson of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating that the launch “marks a significant milestone in our shared commitment to global search and rescue excellence as well as driving forward professionalism, progress and pride in the sector.” He emphasized that the initiative provides formal recognition of the skills, judgment, and professionalism vital for operating in high-risk maritime SAR environments.
More Details
The Nautical Institute’s new Maritime Search and Rescue Endorsement Scheme (MSARES) offers a structured and flexible pathway for maritime professionals to enhance their expertise in SAR operations. Designed for self-study, the scheme allows individuals to progress at their own pace while completing practical tasks that must be signed off by a qualified organizational trainer, assessor, or SAR Vessel Master/Commander.
The curriculum covers a comprehensive range of topics essential for safe and efficient vessel operation in various SAR settings, including:
- SAR Navigation and On-Scene Coordination: Techniques for precise navigation during rescue missions and effective management of resources and personnel at the incident site.
- Incident Command and Decision-Making: Skills for leading and making critical decisions in high-pressure, dynamic SAR scenarios.
- Crew and Casualty Management: Protocols for ensuring the well-being of rescue teams and providing appropriate care and support to those rescued.
- Communication: Mastering clear, concise, and effective communication with various agencies, vessels, and individuals involved in a SAR operation.
- Risk Assessment and Safety Management: Identifying potential hazards, assessing risks, and implementing safety measures to protect all participants in a SAR mission.
- Use of Specialist SAR Equipment: Proficiency in the operation and maintenance of specialized search and rescue tools and machinery.
A key feature of MSARES is its two distinct pathways, tailored to the specific roles of commanders and crew:
- Crew Level Competencies: This pathway focuses on task execution and embedding the practical skills needed for safe and effective engagement in operations. It covers areas such as:
- Deck operations
- Effective searching and lookout duties
- Casualty recovery
- Communication protocols
- Situational awareness
- Emergency procedures
- Personal safety onboard
- Command Level Competencies: This pathway emphasizes strategic oversight and the development of leadership abilities. It focuses on:
- Coordination of SAR operations
- Decision-making under pressure
- Effective communication (especially with external agencies)
- Crew welfare
- Operational planning
- Liaising with external agencies and stakeholders
Both pathways underscore the fundamental importance of a solid understanding of SAR procedures and safety, effective teamwork, clear communication, and adaptability in dynamic environments. The scheme ensures that both commanders and crew acquire the precise skills necessary to achieve more effective and cohesive SAR operations in any maritime SAR context, ultimately enhancing global search and rescue capabilities.
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Source: The Nautical Institute
