WEBINAR - Search and Rescue in the High North Region
Search and Rescue in the High North Region is the topic of the upcoming WMU Alumni Webinar that will take place on 11 June 2020 at 14:00 -15:00 CEST. The webinar is open to anyone who is interested in joining, and there is no charge to participate. If you would like to sign up for the webinar, you can do so prior to the start time (provided space is available), via this link: https://bit.ly/2Y7jyqa
Description
With the continuous decline of ice-coverage in the Arctic, human presence and ship operations are expected to intensify within that inherently risky region; improving Search and Rescue (SAR) capacities stands out as a pressing priority given the trending circumstances. As an operational environment for the maritime industry, the Arctic region is often characterized as risky and highly complex due to its remoteness, low temperatures, harsh weather conditions and lack of infrastructure.
This webinar will discuss the overall trends and challenges facing the development of the Arctic region as a whole and how the Arctic Council nations are responding to these developments with a particular focus on Search and Rescue capabilities. In addition, we will review the planning and conduct of an Artic SAR training exercise, which took place at Nord University in Bodo, Norway on June 20, 2019. Given the continually expanding growth of industrial interests in this region, the exercise scenario was designed to test current capabilities and improve the readiness of SAR mission coordinators at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) of Norway in their execution of amass rescue operation in accordance with IAMSAR protocols. The scenario involved cooperation and extensive communication efforts taking place between the master of a bystander vessel working as On-Scene Coordinator, the master of a vessel in distress, the SAR mission coordinator of JRCC Norway, and various regional and local authorities including medical facilities and aviation assets. This simulator exercise was found to be effective as a training tool and highlighted that the further expected increase of maritime activities in the Arctic must be balanced with strengthening the capacities of emergency management.
Presenters
Associate Professor Dimitrios Dalaklis
LCDR Peter Raneri, U.S. Coast Guard, on Secondment to WMU