GEN 3.6 SEARCH AND RESCUE

1 Responsible Service(s)

The Police and Border Guard Board (P&BGB) and Rescue Board and are responsible for the implementation of SAR services for civil aviation throughout the Estonian SRR.

The addresses of the services are as follows:
Post:Estonian Rescue Board
Raua 2
10124 Tallinn, ESTONIA
Tel: +372 628 2000
Fax: +372 628 2099
E-mail: rescue@rescue.ee
AFS: NIL
URL: www.rescue.ee

Post:Estonian Police and Border Guard Board
Pärnu mnt 139
15060 Tallinn, ESTONIA
Tel: +372 612 3000
E-mail: ppa@politsei.ee
AFS: NIL
URL: www.politsei.ee

In case of aircraft accident the P&BGB is responsible for the coordination of SAR services for civil aviation. The responsibility is discharged through a Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Tallinn, P&BGB substructure, which is located at Tallinn.

Post:JRCC Tallinn
Miinisadama 4
10416 Tallinn, ESTONIA
Tel: +372 619 1224
E-mail: jrcc@politsei.ee

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

Annex 12 –Search and Rescue

2 Area of Responsibility

The search and rescue service is provided within Estonian Search and Rescue Region (SRR). Aeronautical SRR boundary coincides with Tallinn FIR boundary.

3 Types of Service

All aircraft are land-type and equipped with medical (except SRG) supplies and survival radio equipment.

In addition, various elements of the civil aviation operators, merchant marine, air force and navy, land based rescue service units are also available for search and rescue mission, when required.

The aeronautical, maritime and public telecommunication services are also available to the organisation of search and rescue.

Aircraft are equipped to communicate on 121.5 MHz and 123.1 MHz.

Ground rescue teams are equipped to communicate on 121.5 MHz and 143.7 MHz.

Table GEN 3.6.3 Search and Rescue Units
Name
Location
Facilities
Remarks
1234
Aviation Group
Lennart Meri Tallinn Aerodrome

EETN
592448N 0244956E

HEL-M
AW 139
MON-SUN 0700-1900 (0600-1800), 15 MIN PN.
Other time: 1 HR PN.
Endurance: 3 HR 30 MIN.
Speed: 140 kt.
Infrared camera.
NVG equipment.
SAR homing device.
SAR Ops.
SRG
B-350R
(Fixed wing)
MON-SUN 0700-1500 (0600-1400), 15 MIN PN.
MON-SUN 1500-2200 (1400-2100), 1 HR PN.
Other time: NIL
Endurance: 3 HR.
Speed: 250 kt.
Infrared camera.
SAR homing device.
Search Ops.

4 SAR Agreements

Republic of Estonia has concluded intergovernmental and interagency cooperation agreements with the Republic of Finland, Republic of Latvia and Kingdom of Sweden. The agreements determine spheres of responsibility within the maritime and aviation search and rescue regions, responsible agencies, principles of interagency cooperation, procedures for the request and provision of assistance, communication and working language. Copies of those agreements are available, upon request from the Estonian Transport Administration.

Request for the entry of aircraft, equipment and personnel from other States to engage in the search for aircraft in distress or to rescue survivors of aircraft accident should be transmitted to the JRCC Tallinn. Instructions as to the control which will be exercised on entry of such aircraft and/or personnel will be given by the JRCC Tallinn in accordance with a standing plan for the conduct of search and rescue in its area.

5 Conditions of Availability

The SAR services and facilities in Estonia are available without charge to neighbouring States upon request to the JRCC Tallinn at all times when they are not engaged in SAR operations in their home territory.

6 Procedures and Signals Used

6.1 Procedures and Signals Used by Aircraft
Procedures for pilots-in-command observing an accident or intercepting a distress call and/or message are outlined in Appendix of ICAO Annex 12.
6.2 Communications

Transmission and reception of distress messages within the Estonian Search and Rescue Region are handled in accordance with ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5, para. 5.3.

For communications during search and rescue operations, the codes and abbreviations published in ICAO Doc 8400 - Abbreviations and codes, are used.

The frequency 121.500 MHz is guarded continuously during the hours of service at Tallinn ACC and Tallinn APP. In case of need, other air traffic service units are also guarding the frequency 121.500 MHz.
6.3 Search and Rescue Signals
The search and rescue signals to be used are those prescribed in Appendix of ICAO Annex 12.
6.4 Ground/Air Visual Signal Codes For Use by Survivors

NR

Message
Code symbol
Instructions for use:
  1. Make signals not less than 8 ft (2.5 m).
  2. Take care to lay out signals exactly as shown.
  3. Provide as much colour contrast as possible between signals and background.
  4. Make every effort to attract attention by other means such as radio, flares, smoke, reflected light.
1
Require assistance

 

2
Require medical assistance

3
No or Negative

4
Yes or Affirmative

5
Proceeding in this direction