Military Search and Rescue Monthly Statistics
September 2012
Published: 1 November 2012
Coverage Enquries United Kingdom, Cyprus, Falkland Islands Press Office 020 721 83255 Theme Defence Responsible Statistician DASA DESA Price Indices - Head of Branch Issued by 030 679 32100 Defence Analytical Services and Advice [email protected] Ministry of Defence Oak 0W, Abbey Wood Bristol BS34 8SJ Other Statistical Enquiries DASA DESA Price Indices - Analyst 1 Internet 030 679 34524 www.dasa.mod.uk [email protected] The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics: - meet identified user needs; - are well explained and readily accessible; - are produced according to sound methods, - and are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest. Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed. Key Points • During September 2012 there were 147 incidents, resulting in 157 callouts and 124 persons being moved. The number of incidents, callouts and persons moved are similar to September 2011. After the summer peak period there was a sudden drop in all callout categories compared to August 2012; this follows the seasonal pattern of more callouts during the summer months.
• The highest number of callouts was still requested by the coastguard (60) this month, followed by the police (44) and the ambulance (42). However, compared to August 2012, the proportion of callouts reqested by the coastguard has dropped significantly (from 53% to 38%). This is a similar pattern as seen between August 2011 and September 2011, possibly due to the end of the UK school holiday and the worsening weather during September, reducing coastal activity.
• The unit with the most callouts this month was RNAS Culdrose, with 27 callouts. During September 2012, 11 of the Culdrose callouts were medrescue (the movement of an injured person to a medical facility).
• There was only one callout to overseas units during September (Falklands). However, this resulted in 5 persons being rescued from an overturned vehicle and transferred to a medical facility.
• Lossiemouth moutain rescue team continued to be active following their move from Kinloss in July 2012. The Lossiemouth moutain rescue team had 3 callouts and rescued 1 person, requiring 735 man hours; one callout involved a large number of personnel searching for a missing person over an eight hour period.
What is included in this report This report covers military SAR activities for September 2012. It includes details of the activities of UK military SAR helicopters, RAF SAR helicopters operating in Cyprus and the Falkland Islands, and military MRT units. Details of MCA helicopters units are not included in this report. However, a summary is provided in the quarterly and annual SAR Reports, which are available at the following links: http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php?pub=SAR-REPORT-QTRLY http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php?pub=SAR-REPORT-ANNUAL The report includes counts of the number of incidents, callouts and persons moved in the previous month. Incidents are emergencies attended by Royal Navy or Royal Air Force units whose primary task is SAR, plus other military aircraft and ships that are available to the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC). Each SAR unit attending an incident is described as a callout . An incident may result in one or more callouts. Persons moved involves moving people from a hostile environment to a safe environment, or to a medical facility to receive urgent medical attention. It may also involve moving individuals between medical facilities at the request of the NHS.
The data source for this report is a weekly download from the ARCC database. Every incident recorded by the ARCC is included in these tables. Incident data from Cyprus and the Falklands is received by email on an ad hoc basis and may be incomplete. All data is validated and checked by DASA on receipt. Further details are available in DASA's SAR Background Quality Report. This also includes details of internal and external users of the reports, including a summary of their requirements and how well DASA's reports meet these requirements.
http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/apps/publications/pubViewFile.php?content=2100&date=2012-01-23&type=pdf&PublishTime=09:30:00 Introduction
Military Search and Rescue
The military Search and Rescue (SAR) service exists primarily to assist military personnel in difficulty, although the majority of its work involves assisting civilians in distress, both on land and at sea. SAR coverage for the United Kingdom and a large area of the surrounding sea is provided 24 hours a day and 365 days a year by the RAF and the Royal Navy.
UK Helicopters The UK military SAR aeronautical coverage currently consists of RAF and Royal Navy SAR Sea King helicopters operating from eight locations around the UK (RAF Boulmer, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Leconfield, RAF Valley, RAF Chivenor, RAF Wattisham, RNAS Culdrose and HMS Gannet). The military SAR force operates 24 hours a day. It provides coverage throughout the UK, and also covers an area extending from the Faroe Islands in the north, the English Channel in the south, about half way across the North Sea to the east and halfway across the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
The UK SAR helicopter coverage is coordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) based at Kinloss Barracks.
Mountain Rescue Teams The RAF has four mountain rescue teams (MRT), based at RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Leuchars, RAF Leeming and RAF Valley. The MRT units provide land rescues, primarily over the mountain regions of the UK. Military MRT units are coordinated by the ARCC, and often work in conjunction with helicopter units.
Overseas Helicopters
A SAR service is also provided by two overseas bases, at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands.
Further information on the UK's military SAR coverage is available at: http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafsearchandrescue/ http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Operations/Enduring-Operations/UK/Search-and-Rescue
Other Search and Rescue In addition to the RAF and Royal Navy, a number of non-military organisations provide SAR coverage throughout the UK. The activities of these non-military organisations is outside the scope of this report, however background information on some of the organisations involved is provided below.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
In addition to the eight military aeronautical SAR units, additional aeronautical SAR coverage is provided by four Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) helicopter units. Although these are not part of the military SAR service, the MCA helicopters are coordinated by the ARCC at Kinloss Barracks, to provide integrated coverage across the UK. Details of their activities are included in the SAR Quarterly and Annual reports.
In addition to its aeronautical coverage, the MCA provides maritime SAR coverage throughout the UK. Details of maritime SAR callouts are not included in this report. Further information is available at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-searchandrescue.htm
RNLI The RNLI is a charitable organisation providing 24 hour lifeboat SAR coverage around the coast of the UK and Republic of Ireland, along with a seasonal lifeguard service.
http://www.rnli.org.uk/
Mountain Rescue Teams A number of voluntary Mountain Rescue services operate throughout the UK. These often work in conjuction with the military SAR service. Details of non-military Mountain Rescue callouts are not included in this report. Further information can be found at: http://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/ http://www.mrcofs.org/
Air Ambulance Air Ambulance services operate throughout the UK, providing emergency medical assistance. Further information is available at:
http://www.airambulanceassociation.co.uk/ UK & Overseas Search And Rescue Summary
Current Month Total UK Overseas Mountain Incidents Persons 2012 Callouts Helicopters Helicopters Rescue Moved Team September 157 149 1 7 147 124
Previous 12 Months August 244 237 2 5 237 204 July 209 198 1 10 199 159 June 199 196 1 2 194 163 May 178 173 1 4 170 138 April 138 128 3 7 127 119 March 109 103 3 3 105 128 February 106 96 6 4 101 78 January 123 116 - 7 114 93 December 112 98 6 8 109 108 November 123 113 3 7 112 85 October 161 149 6 6 157 139 September 152 142 7 3 151 126
ARCC KinlossRCC Cyprus RCC Falklands Total Callouts 156 - 1 157 Incidents 146- 1 147 Persons 119 - 5 124
Total Callouts & Persons - Last 13 Months 300
250
200 Callouts 150 Persons 100
50
0
1 r y t 2 1 er er r s 1 b b a July tobe m m April May June c bruary March e Augu O Janu F Sep-20 Nove Dece Sep-20
Total Callouts & Persons - Last 5 Years
300
250
200
Callouts 150 Persons 100
50
0 Sep 08 Sep 09 Sep 10 Sep 11 Sep 12
Page 1 UK Search And Rescue Summary
UK Helicopter Callouts by Callout Grouping1 - Last 13 Months
160 Rescue-Type 140 Callout 120 Search-Type 100 Callout 80 Assistance- 60 Type Callout 40 Other Callout 20 0
y 11 ch 12 ber pril une uly A May J J cto Mar ugust anuary ebruar A ep-20 O ovember ecember J F ep-20 S N D S
1. For definitions of callout groupings see SAR Definitions on page 10
UK Callouts by Requesting Organisation2 - September 2012
Other 6% Ambulance 27%
Coastguard 38%
Police 28%
UK Callouts by Requesting Organisation2 - Last 13 months
140 120 100 Ambulance 80 Police 60 Coastguard Other 40 20 0
l 1 ry y i y 2 ber ber ar pr ay 201 arch A M June Jul 201 M ugust ebru A ep- October ovem ecem Janua F ep- S N D S
2. The requesting organisation is determined using an automated lookup function which searches for key text within the organisations' name. Within the 'Other' category, there may be a limited number of callouts by either Ambulance, Police or Coastguard due to the automated algorithm used.
Page 2 Callouts - Helicopters (UK & Overseas) RAF Boulmer RAF Lossiemouth RAF Leconfield RAF Valley RAF Chivenor RAF Wattisham RAF UK Total RNAS Culdrose HMS Gannet RN Total UK Other UK Total Cyprus Falklands Overseas Total Rescue - -1211 5 3 - 3 - 8 - - - Search-Rescue -1---- 1 1- 1 - 2 -- - Medrescue 4 14 8 14 9 3 52 11 14 25 - 77 - 1 1 Search-Medrescue ---1-- 1 314 - 5 -- - Medtransfer -1--214 415 - 9 -- - Recovery -1--1- 2 -- - - 2 -- - Search-Recovery 1----- 1 -11 - 2 -- - Transfer ------Civil Aid ------Search 3 2 - 2 - 4 11 1 4 5 - 16 - - - Top Cover ---1-- 1 -11 - 2 -- - Assist --111- 3 -- - - 3 -- - Search-Assist 11---- 2 -- - - 2 -- - Recalled 1 - -2 -2 5 32 5 - 10 - - - Not Required 1 - -121 5 11 2 - 7 - - - False Alarm ---1-- 1 -- - - 1 -- - Hoax ----1- 1 -- - - 1 -- - Precaution ------Aborted -1---- 1 -- - - 1 -- - Search-Aborted ------11 - 1 -- - Total Callouts 11 21 10 25 17 12 96 27 26 53 - 149 - 1 1
Callouts by Unit - Last 13 Months 50
40 Boulmer 30 Lossiemouth 20 Leconfield 10
0
y y h il y y t r c ul ber ber ber ar r pr une J to ua A Ma J c em br Ma ugus em anu e A ep-2011 O J F ep-2012 S Nov Dec S
Callouts by Unit - Last 13 Months 50
40 Valley 30 Chivenor 20
10 Wattisham 0
1 r r r y il y e y 2 1 r ry n l st 1 be a rch pr u Ju u 20 o mbe mbe ua A Ma J 20 - ct e e n bru Ma ug - v c a A ep O J Fe ep S No De S
Callouts by Unit - Last 13 Months 50
40 Culdrose 30 Gannet 20
10 Overseas 0
y y h il y y t r c ul ber ber ber ar r pr une J to ua A Ma J c em br Ma ugus em anu e A ep-2011 O J F ep-2012 S Nov Dec S
Page 3 Callouts - UK Helicopters
RAF Boulmer Callouts by Callout Category - Last 13 Months 12 Rescue- 10 Type Callout
8 Search-Type Callout 6 Assistance- 4 Type Callout
2 Other Callout 0
r r y h ly st e e ar c ne b b uary May Ju m m nu r April Ju Mar Augu October Ja Feb Sep-2011 Nove Dece Sep-2012
RAF Lossiemouth Callouts by Callout Category - Last 13 Months 30 Rescue- 25 Type Callout
20 Search-Type Callout 15 Assistance- 10 Type Callout
5 Other Callout 0
r r y h ly st e e ar c ne b b uary May Ju m m nu r April Ju Mar Augu October Ja Feb Sep-2011 Nove Dece Sep-2012
RAF Leconfield Callouts by Callout Category - Last 13 Months 12 Rescue- 10 Type Callout
8 Search-Type Callout 6 Assistance- 4 Type Callout Other 2 Callout 0
r r y h ly st e e ar c ne b b uary May Ju m m nu r April Ju Mar Augu October Ja Feb Sep-2011 Nove Dece Sep-2012
RAF Valley Callouts by Callout Category - Last 13 Months 35 Rescue- 30 Type Callout 25 Search-Type 20 Callout 15 Assistance- Type Callout 10 5 Other Callout 0
r r y h ly st e e ar c ne b b uary May Ju m m nu r April Ju Mar Augu October Ja Feb Sep-2011 Nove Dece Sep-2012
1. For definitions of callout groupings see SAR Definitions on page 10
Page 4 Callouts - UK Helicopters
RAF Chivenor Callouts by Callout Category - Last 13 Months
30 Rescue- 25 Type Callout 20 Search-Type Callout 15 Assistance- 10 Type Callout 5 Other Callout 0
1 r r r y y l y e 2 1 e e e r ch ri a n ly st 1 0 b b b ar a r p u Ju u 0 to m m u ru a A M J g -2 c e n b M u -2 p ve c a e A p e O o e J F e S N D S
RAF Wattisham Callouts by Callout Category - Last 13 Months
14 Rescue- 12 Type Callout 10 Search-Type 8 Callout 6 Assistance- Type Callout 4 2 Other Callout 0
1 r r r y y l y e 2 1 e e e r ch ri a n ly st 1 0 b b b ar a r p u Ju u 0 to m m u ru a A M J g -2 c e n b M u -2 p ve c a e A p e O o e J F e S N D S
RNAS Culdrose Callouts by Callout Category - Last 13 Months 30 Rescue- 25 Type Callout
20 Search-Type Callout 15 Assistance- 10 Type Callout Other 5 Callout 0
1 r r r y y l y e 2 1 e e e r ch ri a n ly st 1 0 b b b ar a r p u Ju u 0 to m m u ru a A M J g -2 c e n b M u -2 p ve c a e A p e O o e J F e S N D S
HMS Gannet Callouts by Callout Category - Last 13 Months 30 Rescue- 25 Type Callout
20 Search-Type Callout 15 Assistance- 10 Type Callout
5 Other Callout 0
1 r r r y y l y e 2 1 e e e r ch ri a n ly st 1 0 b b b ar a r p u Ju u 0 to m m u ru a A M J g -2 c e n b M u -2 p ve c a e A p e O o e J F e S N D S
1. For definitions of callout groupings see SAR Definitions on page 10
Page 5 Callouts - Location & Category (UK & Overseas)
Callouts by Location Callouts by Category Land Coast Maritime Total Aero Ship Leisure Craft Rig Beacon Flares Person Other Total Rescue 3 4 1 8 -11---6 - 8 Search-Rescue 1 1 - 2 ------2 - 2 Medrescue 61 5 12 78 - 6 4 3 - - 65 - 78 Search-Medrescue 3 - 2 5 - 1 - - 1 - 3 - 5 Medtransfer 9 - - 9 ------9 - 9 Recovery 2 - - 2 ------2 - 2 Search-Recovery 3 - - 3 ------3 - 3 Transfer ------Civil Aid ------Search 10 7 1 18 - - 4 - - 1 13 - 18 Top Cover - 2 - 2 - - 2 - - - - - 2 Assist - 3 1 4 2 1 1 - - - - - 4 Search-Assist 3 - - 3 ------3 - 3 Recalled 3 6 1 10 - 1 1 - - - 8 - 10 Not Required 6 3 - 9 - 1 ---- 8 - 9 False Alarm - 1 - 1 ------1 - 1 Hoax 1 - - 1 1 ------1 Precaution ------Aborted 1 - - 1 ------1 - 1 Search-Aborted 1 - - 1 ------1 - 1 Total Callouts 107 32 18 157 3 11 13 3 1 1 125 - 157
Callouts by Location - Last 13 Months 160 140 120 100 Land 80 60 Coast 40 20 Maritime 0
y 11 ch 12 ber pril une uly A May J J cto Mar ugust anuary ebruar A ep-20 O ovember ecember J F ep-20 S N D S
Callouts by Location - Last 5 Years
180 160 140 120 Land 100 Coast 80 Maritime 60 40 20 0 Sep 08 Sep 09 Sep 10 Sep 11 Sep 12
Page 6 Persons - Helicopters (UK & Overseas) RAF Boulmer RAF Lossiemouth RAF Leconfield RAF Valley RAF Chivenor RAF Wattisham RAF UK Total RNAS Culdrose HMS Gannet RN Total UK Other UK Total Cyprus Falklands Overseas Total Rescue - -1321 7 81 9 - 16 -- - Search-Rescue -2----2 1-1 - 3 -- - Medrescue 4 15 8 14 9 4 54 11 15 26 - 80 -5 5 Search-Medrescue - - - 1 - - 1 3 1 4 - 5 -- - Medtransfer - 1 - - 2 1 4 4 1 5 - 9 -- - Recovery - 1 - - 1 - 2 - - - - 2 -- - Search-Recovery 2 -----2 -11 - 3 -- - Transfer ------Total Persons 6 19 9 18 14 6 72 27 19 46 - 118 - 5 5
Persons by Unit - Last 13 Months 50
40 Boulmer 30 Lossiemouth 20 Leconfield 10
0
r r r h y e y t 11 e e e c ril a s 12 0 b b ary ary r p Jul 0 tob m m u ru a A M Jun gu e M u p-2 v ce A p-2 e Oc Jan Feb e S No De S
Persons by Unit - Last 13 Months 50
40 Valley 30 Chivenor 20 Wattisham 10
0
r r r h y e y t 11 e e e c ril a s 12 0 b b ary ary r p Jul 0 tob m m u ru a A M Jun gu e M u p-2 v ce A p-2 e Oc Jan Feb e S No De S
Persons by Unit - Last 13 Months 50
40 Culdrose 30 Gannet 20 Overseas 10
0
r r r h y e y t 11 e e e c ril a s 12 0 b b ary ary r p Jul 0 tob m m u ru a A M Jun gu e M u p-2 v ce A p-2 e Oc Jan Feb e S No De S
Page 7 Persons - Location & Category (UK & Overseas)
Persons by Callout Location Persons by Callout Category Land Coast Maritime Total Aero Ship Leisure Craft Rig Person Other Total Rescue 6 5 5 16 - 5 1 - 10 - 16 Search-Rescue 2 1 -3 ----3-3 Medrescue 67 5 13 85 - 7 4 3 71 - 85 Search-Medrescue 3 - 2 5 - 1 - - 3 1 5 Medtransfer 9 - - 9 ----9-9 Recovery 2 - - 2 ----2-2 Search-Recovery 4 - - 4 ----4-4 Transfer ------Total Persons 93 11 20 124 - 13 5 3 102 1 124
Persons by Location - Last 13 Months 160
120 Land
Coast 80
Maritime 40
0
r r l 1 er e e ry ry e st 2 01 b b b a u 01 m m u rua Apri May Jun July -2 e e b March -2 v c Aug Octo o e Jan Fe Sep N D Sep
Persons by Location - Last 5 Years
160
140
120
100 Land 80 Coast Maritime 60
40
20
0 Sep 08 Sep 09 Sep 10 Sep 11 Sep 12
Page 8 SAR Flying Hours & Mountain Rescue Teams SAR Flying Hours3 Total Flying Average Flying Average Time Hours Hours to Casualty4 RAF Boulmer 22.30 2.03 0.30 RAF Lossiemouth 42.45 2.02 0.33 RAF Leconfield 16.20 1.38 0.28 RAF Valley 34.55 1.24 0.17 RAF Chivenor 26.40 1.34 0.19 RAF Wattisham 18.15 1.31 0.27 RNAS Culdrose 31.50 1.11 0.16 HMS Gannet 57.05 2.12 0.32 UK Other Helicopters --- Cyprus --- Falklands 1.50 1.50 0.05 Overseas Other Helicopters --- 252.10 1.41 0.24 3. Times are expressed in Hours and Minutes. 4. Time to casualty is the time from departure from base to arrival at incident.
Monthly Flying Hours - Last 13 Months 400 350 300 250 200 150 100
y 11 ch 12 ber pril une uly A May J J cto Mar ugust anuary ebruar A ep-20 O ovember ecember J F ep-20 S N D S
Mountain Rescue Teams Callouts Persons Man Hours Lossiemouth5 3 1 735 Leeming 2 - 78 Leuchars 2 - 338 Valley - - - Other - - - Total 7 1 1151 5. Formerly MRT Kinloss
MRT callouts - Last 13 Months 10
8
6
4
2
0
y 11 ch 12 ber pril une uly A May J J cto Mar ugust anuary ebruar A ep-20 O ovember ecember J F ep-20 S N D S
Page 9 SEARCH AND RESCUE DEFINITIONS
GROUPING
Transfer of distressed uninjured person(s) from a hostile to a benign RESCUE Rescue-Type environment. Transfer of sick or injured persons(s) from a hostile environment to a MEDRESCUE recognised medical facility (eg, hospital or chamber). Rescue-Type
TRANSFER Transfer of military personnel, or their families, on compassionate grounds. Rescue-Type
Transfer of patients or organs between medical establishments at the MEDTRANSFER request of a recognised Medical Authority, i.e. NHS Trust, Hospital or Rescue-Type Ambulance Authority.
RECOVERY Recovery of person(s) apparently dead. Rescue-Type
SEARCH Search for craft, person(s), etc which does not result in moving a person. Search-Type SEARCH – Search for craft, person(s), etc resulting in the rescue of an uninjured RESCUE person. Search-Type SEARCH – Search for craft, person(s), etc resulting in the rescue of a sick/injured MEDRESCUE casualty. Search-Type SEARCH – Search for craft, person(s), etc involving assistance to other SAR assets. ASSIST Search-Type SEARCH – Search for craft, person(s), etc resulting in the recovery of person(s) RECOVERY apparently dead. Search-Type
SEARCH – Search for craft, person(s), etc during which callout terminated due to eg ABORT malfunction or adverse weather. Search-Type On-scene assistance, e.g. communications relay, target identification, TOP-COVER vectoring to target etc. for another rescue asset, or as cover for person(s) or vessel(s) in distress that does not result in further intervention. Assistance-Type Pre-positioning of a SAR helicopter to provide faster response to an PRECAUTION anticipated or potential incident, eg, in response to an aircraft declaring a “MAYDAY” or a potential incident on a offshore installation. Assistance-Type Assistance to other SAR assets etc, such as moving SAR personnel or ASSIST equipment (eg, mountain rescue teams, divers, pumps), shepherding of aircraft etc. Assistance-Type
CIVIL AID Military Aid to the Civil Community (eg fire control). Assistance-Type
RECALLED Asset recalled from incident whilst en route. Other
NOT REQUIRED Asset arrived on scene but no action required. Other
ABORT Callout terminated due to eg malfunction or adverse weather. Other
FALSE ALARM Unnecessary callout with good intent. Other
HOAX Unnecessary callout with malicious intent Other
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