3.4 A proposal for an amendment to the COSPAS-SARSAT distress alert message set was presented. It was observed that the proposal was in accordance with present procedures within the COSPAS-SARSAT Organization and that it included position information from e.g. GNSS receivers included in the distress beacons. The JWG was of the opinion that the IAMSAR message set had been developed over a period of three years, based on the requirements of the SAR community, and that the various peculiarities of each type of message had been taken into account. It was the opinion of the JWG that the SAR community should notify the communications providers what infromtation that was needed, not the other way around where communications providers decided what information to provide. It was agreed that procedures should be worked out so that co-ordination between the SAR community and communications providers could be achieved regarding amendments to the IAMSAR Manual. Considering that the samples provided in the IAMSAR Manual, Volume 2, were subject to change, the JWG agreed that Appendix B to Volume 2 be amended.
Recommendation 6/5 - COSPAS-SARSAT distress alert message
That, the COSPAS-SARSAT distress alert message as contained in the IAMSAR Manual, Volume 2, Appendix B, pages B-2 to B-6 be amended as indicated in Appendix D to this report.
3.5 It was noted that at the JWG/5 meeting it had been decided not to include references or sources in the IAMSAR Manual for the reason that it was used for operational purposes. However, the manual was also to be used by people involved in policy making, general improvement of the SAR system and general or specialised studies. Therefore, it was agreed that a list of references should be prepared while the original authors were still available and active in the JWG. The list to be prepared did not necessarily need to be published but could be made available by the respective Organization on request. The members from the United States agreed to prepare these references, in so far as possible, before the next meeting of the JWG.
Recommendation 6/6 - List of references
That, a list of references used in the development of the IAMSAR Manual be prepared by the members from the United States before the next meeting of the JWG.
3.6 A working paper was presented which included the United States' National Search and Rescue Plan - 1999, which was intended to co-ordinate civil search and rescue services to meet domestic needs and international commitments. Implementing guidance for the Plan was provided in the IAMSAR Manual, the National Search and Rescue Supplement and other relevant directives of the Participants to the Plan. It was noted by the JWG that each participant to the plan would fund its own activities in relation to the plan, unless otherwise arranged by the participants in advance, and would not allow a matter of reimbursement of costs to delay response to any person in danger or distress. Arrangements between federal military and civil agencies would provide for the fullest practicable co-operation, consistent with statutory responsibilities and authorities and assigned SAR functions. The group expressed its satisfaction with the United States National SAR Plan and it was decided that it should be included in the report as Appendix E*. It was also agreed that members of the group should submit to JWG/7 their National SAR Plans for discussion regarding their alignment with the principles of the IAMSAR.
*See COMSAR 4/INF.2
