A

Aircraft co-ordinator (ACO). A person or team who co-ordinates the involvement of multiple aircraft in SAR operations in support of the SAR mission co-ordinator and on-scene co-ordinator.

Amver. A world-wide ship reporting system for search and rescue.

C

Captain. Master of a ship or pilot-in-command of an aircraft, commanding officer of a warship. or an operator of any other vessel.

Coast Earth Station (CES). Maritime name for an Inmarsat shore-based station linking ship earth stations with terrestrial communications network.

Commence  Search Point (CSP). Point,normally specified by the SMC, where a SAR facility is to begin its search pattern.

Conclusion Stage. A period during a SAR incident when SAR facilities return to their regular location and prepare for another mission.

Cospas-Sarsat System. A satellite  system designed to detect distress beacons transmitting on the frequencies 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz.

Course. The intended horizontal direction of travel of a craft.

Craft. Any air or sea-surface vehicle, or submersible of any kind or size.

D

Datum. A geographic point, line or area used as a reference in search planning.

Digital Selective Calling (DSC). A technique using digital codes which enables a radio station to establish contact  with, and transfer information to, another station or group stations.

Direction of waves, swells, or seas. Direction from which the waves, swells or seas are moving.

Direction of wind. Direction from which the wind is blowing.

Distress alert. Notification by any means that a distress situation exists and assistance is needed.

Ditching. The forced landing of an aircraft on water.

Drift. Movement of a search object caused by environmental forces.

Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). Aeronautical radio distress beacon for alerting and transmitting homing signals.

Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon. A device, usually carried aboard maritime craft, that transmit a signal that alerts search and rescue authorities and enables rescue units to locate the scene of the distress.

F

False alarm. Distress alert initiated for other than an appropriate test, by communications equipment intended for alerting, when no distress situation actually exists.

False alert. Distress alert received from any source, including communications equipment intended for alerting, when no distress situation actually exists, and a notification of distress should not have resulted.

Fetch. The distance the waves have been driven by a wind blowing in a constant direction, without obstruction.

G

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). A global communications service based upon automated systems, both satellite-based and terrestrial, to provide distress alerting and promulgation of maritime safety information for mariners.

H

Heading. The horizontal direction in which a craft is pointed.

Hypothermia. Abnormal lowering of internal body temperature (heat loss) from exposure to cold air, wind, or water.

I

Inmarsat. A system of goestationary satellites for world-wide  mobile communication services and support of the GMDSS and other emergency communication systems.

L

Leeway. The movement of a search object through water caused by winds blowing against exposed surfaces.

M

Mass Rescue Operation (MRO). Search and rescue services characterized by the need for immediate response to large numbers of persons in distress, such that the capabilities normally available to search and rescue authorities are inadequate.

MAYDAY. Spoken international distress signal, repeated three times.

MEDEVAC. Evacuation of a person for medical reasons.

MEDICO. Medical advice. Exchange of medical information and recommended treatment cannot be administered directly by prescribing medical personnel.

N

NAVAREA. One of 16 areas into which the world’s oceans are divided by the International Maritime Organization for dissemination of navigation and meteorological warnings.

NAVATEX. The system for the broadcast and automatic reception of maritime safety information by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy.