The primary mission of SAR is to save lives by responding to maritime and coastal emergencies, providing assistance to distressed vessels and individuals in need.
The Coast Guard uses the National Search and Rescue System (NSRS) to coordinate efforts between federal, state, and local agencies during SAR missions.
The Coast Guard uses radar, GPS, and aerial surveillance to track and locate individuals or vessels in distress, ensuring timely rescue operations.
The first step in a SAR operation is gathering information through a distress call or emergency alert, allowing responders to assess the situation and plan a response.
Effective communication between rescue teams, distress callers, and support units is essential to coordinate and execute successful rescue missions.
Coast Guard SAR missions often utilize fast-response cutters and rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) due to their maneuverability and speed.