Key findings from SAR operational analysis

Only the key statistics from our operational analysis are shown below.

We have continued our research to consider questions such as:

  • What are the typical on-scene conditions when we are towing a small yacht, or a fishing vessel?
  • What is the weather like when we have to conduct a search pattern?
  • What type of incidents do we have to deal with in really bad weather?
  • What type of incidents are we dealing with in thick fog and where?
  • What areas of the coast must we know really well?
  • Which months do we perhaps require extra cover at the weekends?
  • When do other resources such as helicopter SAR, other lifeboats, police, ambulance become involved? What equipment do we use most often for which incident types?

Statistically, we eventually ran in to the problem of small numbers, but we have developed a good understanding of our operational requirements. A full explanation of our operational analysis and risk assessment process and its results is available on request.

Incident Log
26:03:99

SAR CALL OUT LOG NO. 327

12:15hrs HM Coastguard requested MRI 38 to assist in searching for person reported missing off rocks at Dunnottar Castle.

12.20hrs MRI 38 left Stonehaven harbour.

12.25hrs MRI 38 commenced shoreline search from Bowden Head to Crawton Ness.

13.35hrs MRI 38 commenced search 1/2 nmls east of Crawton Ness to 1/2nmls east of Bowden Head.

14.45hrs After MRI 38 completed search pattern to Bowden Head, HM Coastguard advised MRI 38 to stand down and return to base.

15.15hrs MRI 38 refuelled and on station.

WIND: SSE 4. SEA STATE: MODERATE-SLIGHT SWELL. WEATHER: CLOUDY AND RAIN

This is a typical incident log entry. After an incident we receive an official log from the coastguard which we keep. It is these entries that were used in the operational analysis.

For the analysis, it was always the worst conditions that were categorised because we were trying to describe the limits of what our team and equipment had to be able to operate in. In this example, the incident type would be 'water', as the person is believed to already be in the water when we are called. (A 'cliff' incident is recorded where the SAR team had to employ cliff rescue skills).

The sea state here is logged as moderate. Often conditions will change throughout a rescue. Perhaps the environment is deteriorating, going into darkness with an increasing swell. In that instance, the incident would be categorised as occurring in darkness. The worse sea state that developed throughout the incident would also be categorised.

Number of Incidents

We are fortunate at MRI to have records of call outs since 1977. There was almost a 50% decrease in incidents in the 1990s as compares with 1980s. The pattern of incidents is also considerably different. We believe most of this change is accounted for by the decline of the fishing fleet, as well as improved safety standards and awareness by leisure watercraft users.

Incidents Types

Towing remains the most likely type of incident that we would get asked to attend. In response to this, the team has made efforts to work with local fishing boats and yachts, as well as people in canoes or windsurfs, to becoming familiar with operating next to and towing different types of craft, in different sea conditions.

The majority of escort call outs were to fishing boats entering the harbour, or experiencing engine problems in a bad sea, where the SAR team would 'stand by' the vessel in case assistance was required. Again, the drop in fishing vessels has reduced this need, though escorts are still requested but more often from leisure craft lost in fog (see below).

The category 'water' includes those who had fallen off windsurf, capsized canoes, fallen overboard or any other reason for there to be cause for urgency due to possible drowning and, or, hypothermia.

Unfortunately the popular cliff top walking route means that there is on average 1 person each year who falls.

Sadly suicides are not uncommon, though they are irregular in occurrence (one year there were 3 and then none for years).

Craft Involved

Though the number of call outs to all types of watercraft declined, the most significant drop was with merchant fishing vessels. The actual fleet number declined dramatically in the late 80s and early 90s and accounts for most of this reduction, though it is thought improved safety standards will also have contributed.

Annual Pattern

The temporal pattern of incidents has remained mostly unchanged between the two decades, except the peak of incidents has shifted from August to July. This change may be due to different holiday habits. It is notable that there has been a slight increase in incidents in December and January. Possibly the increase in leisure craft has resulted in more persons, less familiar with the dynamics of winter weather becoming caught out in a rapidly developed squall or wind shift.

Sea State

It is only through training and learning in this environment that the team can hope to be prepared for operations in very rough seas.

Most incidents occur in moderate conditions probably because this is the most common sea state around Stonehaven. The 1990s showed a higher proportion of incidents happening in good conditions, further suggesting a lack of experience from those requiring assistance. Significantly, incidents continue to occur in rough and very rough conditions, which has a serious training implication for the team. Because the team are attending fewer incidents now than in the 1980s and because most are not employed as seafarers, it is vital that realistic training scenarios are conducted frequently in moderate to rough conditions, to give SAR team members experience of this environment.

Wind Strength

The wind and sea state are obviously interrelated and the trends described above are also pertinent here.

Wind Direction

Stonehaven bay and harbour are most vulnerable to wind from ESE, SE and SSE, which is probably why most incidents occur at this time. The peak in the 1980s of incidents in SW weather is possibly attributable to fishing fleet activities again. Though the harbour and bay may not be particularly affected by strong gales, the fishing grounds would be, from virtually all points of the compass. As SW is the prevailing weather in the UK most storms probably originate from this too.

Fog

Haar and fog can develop very rapidly in Spring, just as leisure users are beginning to get out on the water again. Once again, the SAR team must be confident at operating in fog to deal with the increasing calls to incidents in fog.

Dark/light

The increasing proportion of call outs to incidents at night may suggest a lack of experience from those requiring assistance. Whatever the cause, this trend further pressures the SAR team who clearly must be confident at operating in darkness.