Search and Rescue 



Disasters on land and sea can happen anywhere, any time, and 

 seldom happen twice in just the same way. Perhaps the only eflFective 

 way to deal with them is to get good men, train and equip them well, 

 establish general criteria, and let them use their own judgment in 

 saving lives and property when disaster strikes or threatens. 



This is the essence of the Coast Guard's Search and Kescue mandate. 

 They are instructed to : "perform any and all acts necessary to rescue 

 and aid persons and protect and save property." A Senate report says 

 further that "... Congress expects the Coast Guard to save lives 

 and property whenever it can . . ." 



Search and Rescue is the Coast Guard's primary mission. Any Coast 

 Guard vessel or aircraft on any other mission can be diverted to help 

 a ship or aircraft in distress. 



In 1961 Coast Guard SAR efforts saved the lives of 3,499 people, 

 helped 84,397 people out of trouble, and saved or gave aid to nearly $2f 

 billion worth of property that was in danger. These activities ac- 

 counted for 47 percent of Coast Guard's total activities in all fields of 

 operation. 



Search and Rescue activities are divided into categories of long, 

 medium, and short range. Long-range missions extend as far as 1,000 

 miles at sea. These usually occur in lanes of high-density trans-oceanic 

 air or surface traffic. A long-range Coast Guard aircraft is sent to 

 escort the crippled plane to the nearest airport. Wlien aircraft or 

 vessels are missing or unreported and overdue, the plane begins the 

 long search covering thousands of square miles of open sea. Also, one 

 or more of the Coast Guard's 36 large, high-endurance ships races to 

 the scene to give whatever help may be needed. 



Most air and surface traffic is concentrated within the medium range, 

 500 or 600 miles off the coast. In this belt are found not only the large 



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