Duties on observing distress or receiving a distress signal
Two triggers, two duties:
| Trigger | Where it applies | Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Craft observed: you personally observe an aircraft, ship, or vessel in distress (TC AIM SAR 2.4) | Anywhere | If possible, keep the craft in sight until presence is no longer necessary; report to the JRCC or an ATS unit |
| Signal received: signal from any source that a person, vessel, or aircraft is in distress (CSA s. 131(1)) | On or over Canadian waters; s. 133 treats aircraft as vessel, master's duty falls on pilot | Proceed with all speed to render assistance; inform persons in distress if possible |
Observation report items (SAR 2.4):
- time of observation,
- position of craft,
- general description of scene,
- apparent physical condition of survivors.
Excused or released from the signal duty (s. 131(2), (4), (5)):
| Case | Effect |
|---|---|
| Unable, or consider it unreasonable or unnecessary in the circumstances, to proceed | Excused; reason entered in log book |
| Learn another vessel already responding to a requisition | Released |
| Told assistance no longer needed, by persons in distress or by master of a vessel that reached them | Released |
Separate, broader duty (s. 132, via s. 133):
- Render assistance to every person found at sea and in danger of being lost, no distress signal needed.
Trap: observe-and-report duty (SAR 2.4) applies to any distress observed, anywhere; CSA s. 131 applies only on or over Canadian waters, on receiving a distress signal.
References
- TC AIM SAR 2.4
- Canada Shipping Act, 2001, ss. 131, 133 (reproduced TC AIM SAR 4.8)