Maritime Mass Rescue Interventions: Availability and Associated Technology

摘要

Since 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard (CG) Research and Development (R&D) Center (RDC) has worked with the CG Search and Rescue (SAR) program and the network of district Passenger Vessel Safety Specialists (PVSS) to address potential shortcomings in mass rescue operations. In 2007, the RDC completed a Mass Rescue Operations Scoping Study (MROSS) that identified the largest potential response gaps were associated with CG response to significant numbers of survivors from a passenger vessel casualty. The recommendation from that study was to develop equipment or techniques to effect rapid evacuation and rescue of multiple survivors. This project built on the MROSS by validating the most likely mass rescue incident scenarios based on incidents since 2003, examining response activities (including response gaps), and defining functional requirements of potential response interventions. The project also conducted extensive market research, including a published Request for Information (RFI) and liaison with industry, and determined the potential availability of intervention equipment. The project then revalidated intervention requirements. This report presents the background methodology and results, and lists conclusions and recommendations.