Guidance

Strategic Overview of Search and Rescue in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Updated 1 April 2025

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Foreword

Search and rescue (SAR) is variously defined across organisations and authorities but in essence it is an activity, normally co-ordinated by a rescue co-ordination authority, where available personnel and assets are used to locate persons in distress, potential distress or who are missing, and recover them to a place of safety, providing for their initial medical care and other immediate needs as necessary.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) provides a comprehensive search and rescue service for persons reported to be in distress or missing on land, on the sea or in the air. The integrated organisation of search and rescue co-ordinators and search and rescue assets, using a comprehensive communications infrastructure, provides a well-developed search and rescue model which also supports the UK’s wider civil contingency arrangements.

Introduction

The organisation for search and rescue (SAR) in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) is an amalgam of separate Government Departments, the Emergency Services and a number of search and rescue charities and voluntary organisations.

These authorities and organisations are committed to a cohesive and co-operative partnership in support of an effective, cost- efficient national SAR capability.

The purpose of this Strategic Overview is to describe the background, scope and responsibilities of UK Search and Rescue.

Occasionally a SAR incident may be large-scale and protracted, and UKSAR organisations will be involved in a fully integrated emergency response under the guidelines provided in the Cabinet Office publication Emergency Response and Recovery and this includes arrangements in Wales (chap.11).

or the Northern Ireland Assembly document A Guide to Emergency Planning in Northern Ireland.

Regional and National response is drawn together through Strategic and Tactical Co-ordinating Groups in England and Wales together with Scottish and NI equivalents, and through Government led Resilience Co-ordination Groups.

Obligations

The UK organisation for civil maritime and civil aeronautical search and rescue is derived from the UK Government’s adherence to the following international Conventions:

There are no International Conventions governing land search and rescue. However, legislation governing Police activity places an obligation on Police Services to protect life and property, and the provision of land SAR services derives from the legislation set out below.

Legislation

There may be additional legislation or obligations that impact search and rescue in the UK.

Scope of search and rescue in the UK

The UK responsibility for maritime and aeronautical SAR likes within the UK Search and Rescue Region (UKSRR) which covers approx. 1.5 million square miles, Annex A. Inland SAR in this context is that which occurs above the Mean High Water Spring tides (MHWS) on UK land masses.

The key function for search and rescue in the UK is to ensure a co-ordinated response to SAR emergencies to search for, rescue or recover those missing, or in distress or potential distress on land, sea and shoreline areas including tidal and inland waters, and to co-ordinate those actions. This includes supporting, monitoring, and advising aircraft, vessels, or persons, who may be in difficulty but not distress, until they reach a place of safety, often unaided.

The search and rescue function is undertaken through the ability of the various authorities and organisations to:

a) receive details of persons, vessels and aircraft in distress or potential distress or requiring assistance or monitoring

b) investigate and evaluate information

c) task appropriate SAR units

d) communicate between SAR units and the co-ordinating authority

e) communicate between individual SAR units

f) communicate between co-ordinating authorities

g) maintain SAR units capable of search, rescue and recovery and the delivery of those rescued to a place of safety.

United Kingdom search and rescue responsibility

Department for Transport

Responsibility for the overall provision of national civil aeronautical and maritime SAR and its policies rests with the Department for Transport (DfT) through its Aviation, Maritime and Security (AMS) Group and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The tasking of adequate resources to respond to civil aeronautical and maritime SAR, and the co-ordination of that response, is the responsibility of the MCA through HM Coastguard.

Cabinet Office/Home Office, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Assembly

These administrations have a role in ensuring the quality of preparedness for civil emergencies at the local government level and across central government.  Within these administrations the Police Services are responsible for ensuring the response and co-ordination of land SAR. The Cabinet Office is also responsible for the framework for UK Civil Protection in accordance with the Civil Contingencies Act (2004). This Act and accompanying non-legislative measures delivers a single framework for civil protection in the UK.  The Act is separated into two distinct parts: Part 1 – local arrangements for civil protection, and Part 2 – emergency powers. Gov.uk lays out guidance on Emergency Preparedness in part 1 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

Search and rescue - statutory co-ordination authorities

HM Coastguard

HM Coastguard (HMCG) fulfils its responsibility for the initiation and co-ordination of civil maritime and aeronautical SAR around the UK through its fully integrated and flexible network of nine Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCC), London Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) and the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC). The JRCC hosts both Maritime and Aeronautical tasking and co-ordination. These centres combine to deliver the mobilisation, organisation, and tasking of HMCG resources to respond to persons in distress in the air, at sea, in tidal waters or at risk of injury or death on the sea cliffs and shoreline of the UK.

In addition, HMCG has the overall responsibility for co-ordinating the maritime SAR response in UK ports and harbours. When alerted or notified by a Harbour Authority, or in the event of being the first recipient of an alert or notification, HM Coastguard will liaise closely with and support the Harbour Authority and will co-ordinate the SAR phase of any Distress incident within port / harbour limits. HMCG will work with the Harbour Authority to ensure that the safe operation of the harbour / port is maintained throughout the response phase, as described within the Port Marine Safety Code.

HM Coastguard also has the delegated responsibility from the relevant Police Services for the co-ordination of maritime SAR in specific inland areas which include Lochs Ness, Oich and Lochy; Loughs Neagh and Erne; Lakes Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston and Derwent Water; the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads; the River Thames to Teddington Lock; the Upper River Clyde; and the River Severn to Gloucester.

HM Coastguard has its own assets and resources which include:

  • the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) with Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) members being volunteers. The teams are strategically located around the coast of the UK and are equipped to deal with coastal SAR incidents These incidents can include cliff, water and mud rescue and coastal searches.  CRTs can operate alone or jointly with other CRTs.

  • Maritime Officers in each MRCC, the MRSC (London) and the JRCC, who answer 999, beacon and maritime calls for assistance and co-ordinate taskings to SAR incidents.  Each location has trained specialists in maritime search planning.

  • Aeronautical Officers based in the JRCC who co-ordinate and task HMCGs aviation resources including SAR helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and drones. (See below)

Further information may be found on gov.uk on the MCA home page.

Search and Rescue Helicopters

HM Coastguard delivers an aeronautical search and rescue service that provides 20 SAR helicopters from 10 strategically located bases in the UK. The Service may respond to land, maritime and aeronautical incidents, and the sole tasking authority for these dedicated civilian SAR helicopters is HM Coastguards Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre.  

Two aircraft are positioned at each base, a duty aircraft, and a spare in the event that the duty aircraft is unserviceable.  Only the duty aircraft can be tasked as there is only one line of tasking for each base. In the event of a large-scale incident requiring multiple aircraft, the JRCC will deploy additional SAR aircraft from other bases where it is appropriate to do so.  A Paramedic level of care is provided as standard by this Service.

Fixed Wings

In addition, HM Coastguard has a fixed wing capability to support search and rescue activities and other emergency operations.  The fixed wing operates from one strategically located base and provides a national capability.  The sole tasking authority for fixed wings is HM Coastguards Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre.

Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS)

HM Coastguard also operates an unmanned air system (UAS) which operates out of one base providing enhanced situational awareness in support of search and rescue operations.

UK Search and Rescue Second Generation Air Assets

From October 2024 to January 2027 HM Coastguard’s second-generation aviation contract will transition into service.  This new service which will operate from 10 strategically located bases year-round with the addition of two seasonal bases operating 12 hours a day from April to September.  The next generation contract provides 18 SAR helicopters, 3 fixed wings and an unmanned air system.  The service will bring in enhanced operational capabilities to support search and rescue and other emergency response.

Police Services

Policing in the United Kingdom is divided into three geographically defined areas, each with its own strategic governance: England and Wales; Police Scotland; and Northern Ireland (PSNI). The Police Services are responsible for the activation and tasking of specialist and mainly voluntary organisations, to land-based SAR incidents and emergencies (inc. mountain regions). Any Police Service can request assistance from full-time SAR assets e.g. HMCG SAR aviation resource or military assets where necessary. 

All Police Services retain primacy for the investigation of deaths, be they civilian or military, together with any incidents where there is believed to be culpability. In relation to this aspect, the Police may be acting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, the Coroner, Procurator Fiscal, or appropriate Accident Investigation Branch.

Importantly, Police in each of the three areas of governance manage and co-ordinate their SAR obligations slightly differently. Further information:

Search and rescue – incident co-ordination

To avoid duplication of effort between HM Coastguard and the Police Services, which are the two SAR co-ordinating authorities in the UK, it has been agreed that a coastal incident is defined as an incident which develops on the seaward side of the coastline below the level of Mean High Water Spring tides (MHWS) but including sea cliffs, the shoreline and all other littoral areas.

Such incidents will be coordinated by HM Coastguard and those outside of the littoral area will be coordinated by the Police Services. Where appropriate, the coordination of an incident can be handed over from one coordinating authority to the other. There may be occasions where both HM Coastguard and the Police Services are responsible for coordinating separate elements of the same incident, for example missing persons searches which start inland and progress towards the littoral area. This does not remove the overall responsibilities of either organisation.

Diagram of Coastal Area

This image is from Geography AS Notes, An Introduction to Coasts

Other responders that may be tasked to SAR incidents

Fire and Rescue Services

Under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004; Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; the Fire and Rescue Service Northern Ireland Order 2006; the Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) (Wales) Order 2007; and the Fire and Rescue Services Emergencies (England) Order 2007, Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) in the UK have a statutory responsibility to respond to fires, road traffic accidents, CBRN and Urban SAR emergencies. Each Fire and Rescue Authority has the power to use resources primarily provided for firefighting for non-fire incidents and these may include maritime, aeronautical and land-based incidents. It is for each Fire and Rescue Authority to set its own policy regarding FRS response to SAR operations and these will vary around the UK.  Further information:

In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland the Fire and Rescue Service is fully devolved.

Wales and Scotland are required to make provision for inland water rescue.

Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland also have a legislative responsibility to respond to flooding. 

Flood Rescue and Urban SAR

The Fire and Rescue Services across the UK have discretionary powers to respond where there is a risk of illness, death or injury to persons or harm to the environment. Some areas have specialist flood rescue assets that are declared on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Flood Rescue National Asset Register (NAR). The NAR is maintained and assured by the National Resilience Assurance Team on behalf of Defra. 

There is also significant capability within 17 Fire and Rescue Services in England and 2 in Wales with regards to locating and rescuing people trapped in collapsed structures and more generally in urban environments. It should be remembered, however, that the capabilities are not replicated across all Fire and Rescue Services and differ across the devolved administrations. Nevertheless, a co-operative approach will be taken to ensure that the most effective assets and personnel are deployed to the range of rescue related scenarios.

Ambulance Services

The Ambulance Services in the UK have a statutory responsibility to respond to traumatic and medical emergencies. Land based Ambulance Service response may be complemented by Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) assets. HEMS assets may, if tasked to do so, assist in a SAR incident should the circumstances of that incident be compatible with the type and operating limit of the aircraft and in accordance with the de-confliction restrictions agreed with HMCGs Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Aeronautical)

Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) may be called upon to provide the medical response function within the inner cordon of major incidents or disasters and at urban SAR, flooding, and swift water rescue incidents. HART provides advanced pre-hospital care at the point of rescue as part of a multi-agency response.

Further information:

Ministry of Defence

Under the principles of Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA), the Ministry of Defence may assist with SAR operations and / or training in response to formal MACA requests from any  Government Departments or statutory authority. Such requests are likely to be for capabilities not readily available to other Government Departments, or to make use of high-readiness capabilities such as the RAF Mountain Rescue Teams (who are not geographically constrained).  Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and costs may be incurred in line with MACA policy.  The Ministry of Defence will respond with its own assets and personnel for military post-crash management, under the primacy of the appropriate agency.

The Ministry of Defence also operates the Distress and Diversion Cell which is responsible for providing 24-hour assistance to aircraft experiencing an emergency via the aeronautical emergency frequencies, and for acting as a conduit for the establishment of temporary airspace restrictions associated with SAR Operations. The Distress and Diversion Cell works closely with the civil SAR co-ordination authorities and in particular, with HMCGs Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Aeronautical).

Crown Dependencies

Channel Islands

Search and rescue operations within the sub-region of the Channel Islands are co-ordinated by Jersey MRCC, Guernsey MRCC and Alderney MRSC. The sub-region exists where the United Kingdom search and rescue region and the search and rescue region of France (Jobourg MRCC) overlap and is established around the Channel Islands, extending up to 12 miles from the coastline of the islands with the exception of the East and South, where it follows the median line with the French coast.

Further information about arrangements in the Channel Islands:

Isle of Man

HM Coastguard provides search and rescue co-ordination for Manx territorial waters with advice from IOM Coastguard and the IOM Marine Operations Centre which operates 24/7 from the Sea Terminal building in Douglas. IOM Coastguard is part of the Harbours Division of the Dept. of Infrastructure and is responsible for the provision of search and rescue teams to deal with coastal incidents and, increasingly, inland incidents. Belfast Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre is responsible for co-ordinating all offshore civil maritime search and rescue within Manx territorial waters. Further information about arrangements in the Isle of Man Coastguard.

Voluntary organisations with a significant involvement in SAR

The UK SAR effort relies heavily on voluntary organisations and their volunteers, who willingly dedicate significant time and often put their own lives at risk to assist others in need, without remuneration. The majority UKSAR organisations are registered charities, who rely on donations and fundraising. Assistance from voluntary SAR organisations is requested, and tasked, through one of the co-ordinating authorities i.e. Police Service or HM Coastguard, who will retain overall primacy for the incident. During working hours effective SAR response also relies heavily on the willingness of employers to release employees who are SAR volunteers.

Royal National Lifeboat Institution

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity incorporated by Royal Charter for the purpose of saving lives, promoting safety and providing relief from disaster, primarily at sea and on specific inland waters. It has a fleet of Lifeboats and other RNLI units located in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland. This fleet of All Weather and Inshore Lifeboats, Inshore Rescue Hovercraft and Beach Lifeguard Units are strategically located as determined by the Institution and declared for SAR purposes to the appropriate national authorities in the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland.  The RNLI reserves the right, if necessary, to direct its own assets when co-ordinated by the responsible authority. Further information about performance standards and services provided by the RNLI in support of SAR can be found on the RNLI website.

National Independent Lifeboat Association - Independent Lifeboats

The National Independent Lifeboat Association is the representative body for its members, within UKSAR. In addition to the RNLI, several voluntary organisations provide Independent Lifeboats for the purpose of saving lives in some coastal areas of the UK. Independent Lifeboats are equipped, maintained and operated in accordance with the Rescue Boat Code.

Mountain Rescue England and Wales

Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) is the representative, management body for mountain rescue in England and Wales. The 47 volunteer mountain rescue teams (MRTs), which are grouped into eight regional organisations, are equipped to deal with incidents that are likely to occur in their area given the mountainous, remote and often wild terrain and conditions encountered. These incidents will include searches, which can be supported by Mountain SAR Dog Associations (MSARDA), rope rescue and recovery, and water and flood rescue. MRTs are also equipped and trained to provide initial medical care and the administering of appropriate medication when necessary. MRTs can operate as a single team or jointly with other MRTs, with all blue-light services and organisations who are members of UKSAR.

Scottish Mountain Rescue

Scottish Mountain Rescue (SMR) is the representative body for the majority of MRTs in Scotland, including those provided by Police Scotland (some previously SMR affiliated teams are now independent of SMR). Search and Rescue Dog Associations, Search and Rescue Aerial Association and Scottish Cave Rescue are also represented by SMR in Scotland. The MRTs usually operate within defined geographical boundaries and are trained and equipped to deal with incidents that are likely to occur within those defined boundaries given the mountainous, remote and often wild terrain and conditions encountered. These incidents will include searches, rope rescue, avalanche rescue and recovery and in some cases water rescue. MRTs are also equipped and trained to provide initial medical care and the administering of appropriate medication when necessary. MRTs can operate as a single team or jointly with other MRTs.

Mountain Rescue Ireland

Mountain Rescue Ireland is the representative body for Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) in Ireland. The teams are trained and equipped to deal with incidents that are likely to occur within their area, given the mountainous, remote and often extreme terrain; including the related conditions often encountered. These incidents will include searches, technical rescue and recovery. MRTs are also equipped and trained to minimally provide initial first aid. MRTs can operate as a single team or jointly with other MRTs.

Lowland Rescue

Lowland Rescue (ALSAR) is the governing body for all Lowland SAR Teams in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Jersey. Lowland Rescue teams are highly trained to national standards and fully equipped to assist Police Authorities in searching for high risk, vulnerable missing persons in lowland areas (including inland water rescue). Lowland Rescue teams are fully interoperable and support each other across Police Force boundaries and work closely with other SAR agencies to provide support where appropriate. Many of the teams are flood trained and equipped, and across the 34 member teams provide a range of water, drone and dog assets.

British Cave Rescue Council

The British Cave Rescue Council (BCRC) is the representative body for volunteer underground rescue organisations in the UK. Underground search and rescue is very specialised and volunteer rescue teams are trained and equipped to carry out and co-ordinate underground SAR operations in their geographic areas of responsibility. In searching, rescuing, and recovering missing, trapped or injured persons underground, they can work as a single team or jointly with other teams and can provide an underground, underwater diving capability and administer initial casualty care.

The Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO) is a member of BCRC and provides an underground SAR service to the authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Surf Life Saving GB

SLSGB patrol evening and weekends during the extended summer. They also provide coastal and inland search and rescue services to support statutory service as required. These regionally based teams can support with inshore maritime operations including the inshore rescue boat and lifeguard rescue swimmer capabilities. In addition, they have the competency and requirements to operate to standards set out by the Fire and Rescue Services Concept of Operations document.

Lifeguarding and Surf Life Saving

Beach Lifeguards are provided by several organisations within the UK.  Lifeguards are qualified in lifesaving and casualty care. They provide a vigil and patrols to protect beach users particularly in high-risk areas in certain weather conditions. Lifeguarding is primarily a preventative operation utilising supervision of safe swimming areas and patrols to supervise and advise water users and intervening before problems arise. Lifeguards employ a variety of resources to perform patrols and rescues including rescue swimmers, rescue paddle boards, inshore rescue boats (IRB), rescue watercraft (RWC), vehicles (ATVs and 4x4) and in some areas independent units operate lifeboats.

Additional information may be found through:

Additional Facilities

During a SAR incident and information gathering pertaining to that incident, the SAR co-ordinating authorities may make use of several other organisations and authorities who are able to assist, either because of their proximity to the incident, or the information they may be able to provide which could contribute to a successful outcome.

There are also several other national or locally based volunteer organisations that might offer additional capabilities that can help the search and rescue effort.  It is at the discretion of the SAR co-ordinating authority as to whether these other organisations are activated, with in mind that they may not offer the higher levels of assurance as to training, common operating procedures, regularity of deployment, communications, and interoperability as is provided by other volunteer organisations described in this document.

Search and Rescue communication

As the UKSAR service is provided by a co-operative of statutory authorities and volunteer organisations that respond to emergencies at sea, in the air and on land, a comprehensive communications plan has been developed to enable the efficient and effective co-ordination of SAR assets tasked to respond. The National Communications Band Plan has been developed to reduce interference and provide appropriate working channels for the different SAR providers.

Civil aviation and shipping also use satellite systems for commercial communications and distress alerting purposes, and HM Coastguard uses satellite communications for SAR response and co-ordination particularly in long range SAR scenarios.

UKSAR Structure

The authorities and organisations that form UKSAR, are committed to a cohesive and co-operative partnership through the United Kingdom Search and Rescue (UKSAR) meeting Structure.

UKSAR Strategic Board

The UKSAR Strategic Board (UKSARSB) is the multi-agency national forum which aims to deliver a joined-up approach to search and rescue throughout the UK, working across the multiple policies and varying procedures, practices, and capabilities within representative organisations. Membership of the UKSAR Strategic Board is confined to those with strategic and policy responsibilities within organisations which contribute significantly to UKSAR. Specifically, that includes tasking authorities and agencies that have a legal mandate for UKSAR.

UKSAR Operators Group

The UKSAR Operators Group has the responsibility to advise and make recommendations to the UKSAR Strategic Board and to act in support of the continued effectiveness of SAR response and co-ordination in the UK. Membership of the Operators Group shall be confined only to those organisations which provide a significant national search and rescue operational capability and are well established in terms of training, competency, and capability. The only exception is where an organisation is, by mutual consent, represented by another member organisation. The UKSAR Operator’s Group may co-opt other organisations onto the Group usually for specific or specialist work or agenda items.

Specialist Advisors

Specialist Technical Advisors may be co-opted on to the Group from time to time as determined by the agenda.

Review

The Terms of Reference and existence of the Operators Group may be reviewed by the UKSAR Strategic Board as required by them.

Working Groups

The UKSAR Strategic Board and Operator’s Group has several specialist or expert Working Groups and can establish ad hoc Working Groups as required. These Working Groups / Committees carry out technical work and provide expert advice on a range of SAR subjects.  

The following Working Groups/Committees are currently active:

  • UK Emergency Air Response Committee
  • UKSAR Communications Working Group
  • UKSAR Volunteer Working Group
  • UKSAR Medical Group
  • UKSAR Mental Health and Wellbeing Working Group

As part of the governance structure a Consultative Committee representing Maritime SAR, also reports to the UKSAR Operator’s Group. The membership of this committee is drawn from organisations that represent the views of potential users of Maritime SAR services.

In addition, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey are also represented on the Maritime Consultative Committee as they too may request the use of UKSAR assets.

Local Search and Rescue Committees (LSARC)

To encourage liaison at the local level it is recommended that Local Search and Rescue Committees (LSARCs), are convened to monitor local arrangements for search and rescue. The jurisdiction of local committees should align as far as possible with Police Force boundaries. Representatives from emergency services, appropriate statutory agencies and voluntary organisations should be invited to attend. Some LSARCs exist under that name whereas others may be called something different but they achieve the same purpose. (SAR Liaison Forums, SAR Groups)

Annex A

UK Search and Rescue Regions

Maritime, aeronautical and land search and rescue regions shown on the map.

Information about UKSAR Helicopter bases and operations centre locations can be found on the HMCG website.

Information about the global provision of maritime search and rescue can be found on the SAR contact website.

Annex B

United Kingdom Search and Rescue meeting structure

Diagram displaying meeting structure for UKSAR.

UKSAR Volunteer Working Group, UKSAR Mental Health and Wellbeing Working Group, UK Emergency Air Response Committee, UKSAR Communications Working Group, UKSAR Maritime Consultative Committee and UKSAR Medical Working Group feed into UKSAR Operations Group which in turn feeds into UKSAR Strategic Board.

Annex C

Glossary of Abbreviations

AACE Association of Ambulance Chief Executives
AAD Aviation Aerospace Division
ALSAR Lowland Rescue (Association of Lowland Search and Rescue
ATV All-Terrain Vehicle
BCRC British Cave Rescue Council
CBRN Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear
COBR Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms
CRS Coastguard Rescue Service
CRT Coastguard Rescue Team
D&DC Distress and Diversion Cell
DEFRA Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
DfT Department for Transport
EAR Emergency Air Response
FRS Fire and Rescue Service
HART Hazardous Area Response Team
HEMS Helicopter Medical Services
HMCG His Majesty’s Coastguard
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization
IRB Inshore Rescue Boat
JESIP Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles
JRCC HMCG Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (inc. Aeronautical)
KHz Kilohertz
LRF Local Resilience Forum (England and Wales)
LRP Local Resilience Partnership (Scotland)
LSARC Local Search and Rescue Committee
MACA Military Aid to the Civil Authorities
MCA Maritime and Coastguard Agency
MHWS Mean High Water Springs
MHz Megahertz
MoD Ministry of Defence
MRCC Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre
MREW Mountain Rescue England and Wales
MRSC Maritime Rescue Sub Centre
MRT Mountain Rescue Team
NHS National Health Service
NI Northern Ireland
NCA National Crime Agency
NFCC National Fire Chiefs Council
NILA National Independent Lifeboat Association
NPAS National Police Air Service
NPCC National Police Chiefs Council
PSNI Police Services of Northern Ireland
RLSS Royal Life Saving Society UK
RNLI Royal National Lifeboat Institution
RRP Regional Resilience Partnerships (Scotland)
RWC Rescue Water Craft
SAR Search and Rescue
SARDA Search and Rescue Dogs Association
SLSS GB Surf Life Saving Service GB
SMR Scottish Mountain Rescue
SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea
UHF Ultra-High Frequency
UKSAR United Kingdom Search and Rescue
UKSRR United Kingdom Search and Rescue Region
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
VHF Very High Frequency
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