Guidance

HM Coastguard - Offshore SAR Management (OSARM) course

Updated 18 October 2024

The Offshore Search and Rescue Management course is provided to the Oil and Gas Industry by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in order for relevant personnel to be trained and made aware of the correct procedures and processes to be followed in SAR situations and other emergencies.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport and through HM Coastguard, is responsible for the coordination of all civil maritime and aeronautical search and rescue within the UK’s Search and Rescue Region, and for ensuring the effective provision of counter pollution response within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone.

As a result, HM Coastguard has responsibility to respond to incidents related to, or in the vicinity of oil and gas installations and with the addition of multiple industry resources which may be available to support search and rescue, it is vital to ensure that all parties are best prepared should such a response be required.

This day and a half course, delivered by highly experienced and knowledgeable presenters from HM Coastguard, Police and Seacroft, is aimed at Offshore Installation Managers, their deputies and all other personnel, onshore or offshore, who may be involved in the management of and response to emergencies.

The course provides an overview of the SAR system and how it operates. Course delegates will be involved in table top exercises to increase understanding and awareness of their role and contribution to emergency response and to increase cooperation with national SAR coordinators and responders.

The courses will be run throughout the year, from Aberdeen Coastguard Operations Centre, and the MCA recommends that each operator should send an appropriate number of personnel to attend, with a refresher every five years.

For full information on future dates, and to book delegates on to any of these courses, please contact technical.trainingadmin@mcga.gov.uk. Terms and Conditions will be provided along with the required booking form.

For technical questions or information on course content, please contact the HM Coastguard’s offshore energy team at oelo@mcga.gov.uk.

1. Course Programme - Day One

0900 - Welcome, course description and H&S brief

0915 - Session 1: General Overview - International and national requirements for SAR. UK SAR organisation, HM Coastguard responsibilities and working practices

1015 - Refreshment break

1030 - Session 2: SAR Hierarchy, Search Planning & Mission Conduct

1145 - Refreshment break

1200 - Session 3: Operations room tour

1230 - Lunch

1300 - Session 4: ERRV Capabilities – Seacroft Marine

1415 - Refreshment break

1430 - Session 5: SAR assets & helicopter winching awareness

1515 - Session 6: Medical evacuations - HM Coastguard policy & procedures

1600 - Session 7: Case Studies - Actual incident review & analysis

1700 - Day one finishes

2. Course Programme - Day Two

0900 - Recap of day one

0910 - Session 8: Table-top exercise – SAR / Police Scotland

1030 - Refreshment break

1045 - Session 8 cont: Table-top exercise - SAR / Police Scotland / Counter pollution & salvage

1230 - Lunch

1300 - Course complete

Price £700 per delegate (no VAT)

Joining instructions, including directions, are issued following payment.