GEN 3.6   Search and rescue

1.	Responsible service(s)
1.1	The Search and Rescue Services (SAR) in Belize, is provided by the Belize Rescue Sub-Centre (RSC) which is located at Belize Defence Force’s (BDF) Airwing and Maritime Wing through coordination with the Department of Civil Aviation. The BDF RSC has responsibility for making the necessary facilities available. The postal address of the Department of Civil Aviation is given on page GEN 1.1-1. The Postal Address of the Belize Defence Force RSC is as follows:
	The Commandant - Belize Defence Force (RSC) Airwing and/or Maritime Wing Price Barracks Ladyville Belize City, Belize Central America Tel: (501) 225-2071 AFS: MZBZYCYX
1.2	When SAR operations are needed, a Sub Rescue Coordination Center (RSC) is informed. This RSC will liaise with the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) who is responsible for SAR activities in the Central American FIR. The address of the RCC is as follows:
	Coordinator RCC Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services (COCESNA) Post Office Box No. 660 Tegucigalpa, Honduras Tel: (504) 2233-1141/2233-1142/2233-1143 Ext. 264 Fax: (504) 2234-3682 AFS: MHCCYCYX
1.3	The service is provided in accordance with the provisions contained in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 12 – Search and Rescue Services.; Document 7030 Regional Supplementary Procedures for Alerting Services, Search and Rescue Services for the CAR/SAM Region, Document 7333 (SAR Manual) and the Central American SAR Plan. Differences if any, to these provisions are detailed in sub-section Gen 1.7.
2.	Area of Responsibility
2.1	The Search and Rescue Services is responsible for SAR operations within the Belize FIR which includes its territorial areas and coastal waters.
2.2	The Rescue Coordination Center is the responsible organization for the Central American Flight
Information Region which includes Belize. The Central American FIR is delineated as follows:
1300N 09500W direct to the border Mexico-Guatemala on the Pacific Coast along the border Mexico Guatemala up to the Caribbean coast. Direct 1809N 08745W - 2000N 08600W 2011N 08517W - 2044N 08521W 2000N 08200W - 1900N 08205W 1500N 08215W- 1254N 08249W direct to the border Costa Rica-Panama on the Caribbean Sea along the border Costa Rica – Panama up to the Pacific Coast direct 0730N 08255W - 0125N 08255W 0125N 09200W - 1000N 10430W 1130N 10000W - 1300N 09500W.
3.	Types of Service
Various elements of the Belize Defence Force are available for Search and Rescue missions when required as per Table 3.6.3. The state maritime and airwing organizations are available to the Search and Rescue Organizations. For SAR operations, the Department of Civil Aviation will liaise with other RSCs, the RCC and the Belize Defence Force (Maritime and Airwing organizations). Aircraft and marine craft are equipped with medical supplies, emergency rations and survival radio equipment (121.5 MHz).
	Name Location Facilities Remarks Belize City 1730N 08811W Patrol Boats Operated by Belize Defence Force Low Speed Aircraft Operated by Belize Defence Force Table 3.6.3
4.	SAR Agreements
Pending agreements between Mexican and Caribbean States, arrangements have been made for the Department of Civil Aviation, Belize Defence Force (Maritime/Airwing Sections) to coordinate Search and Rescue activities for the country of Belize including its territorial waters.
A regional agreement has been concluded between all Central American states on a SAR Manual and RCC/RSC Operations Plan signed by all Directors General of Civil Aviation in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on the 30th November, 1992. This agreement provides for facilitation of the overflight and landing of SAR aircraft without prior permission after dispatch of flight plan, for similar facilitation of the entry of surface vessels of the SAR service and their operation in border areas, for notification of entry to the authorities controlling entry.
Requests for the entry of aircraft, equipment and personnel from other states to engage in search for aircraft in distress or to rescue survivors of aircraft accidents should be transmitted to the RSC in Belize who will in turn coordinate with the Rescue Coordination Center in Tegucigalpa. Instructions as to the control which will be exercised on entry of such aircraft and/or the personnel will be given by the RSC Belize, in accordance with a standing plan for the conduct of Search and Rescue in aforementioned area.
5.	Conditions of availability
The SAR service and facilities are available without charge to neighbouring states upon request to the Belize RSC at all times. The Belize RSC facilities in Belize operate on a 24 hours basis.
6.	Procedures and signals used
6.1	Procedures and signals used by aircraft
The search and rescue signals to be used are those prescribed in ICAO Annex 12, Chapter 5, and Paragraph 5.10. Procedures for pilots-in-command observing an accident or intercepting a distress call and/or message are outlined in ICAO Annex 12, Chapter 5.
6.2	Communications
Transmission and reception of distress messages within the Central America Search and Rescue Area are handled in accordance with ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5, paragraph 5.3.
For communications during Search and Rescue operations, the codes and abbreviations published in ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (Doc 8400) are used.
In Belize the frequency 121.5 MHz is only guarded continuously during the hours when Air Traffic Control Services at the P.S.W. Goldson International Airport is being provided. This includes both the Aerodrome and Approach Control Units. The BDF Maritime and Airwing however, guard the international distress frequencies continuously.
During rescue operations, the callsign “rescue” and the additional identification marks (alfa, bravo, etc.) are used.
Search and rescue signals
The Search and Rescue signals to be used are prescribed in ICAO Annex 12, Chapter 5, and paragraph 5.10 and are presented as follows: