SARSAT Rescue Number 6000

Posted by Alan Sorum Oct 31, 2008

This month the rescue of two people involved in an aircraft accident in Washington State raised the total number of people saved by use of the SARSAT system in the United States to 6,000. The Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) system utilizes weather and climate satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to locate radio beacon signals sent by downed aircraft, vessels in distress, and outdoor enthusiasts in trouble or danger. Worldwide, this satellite based system is credited with some 25,000 saves since 1982.

Emergency radio locator beacons are available for boats, aircraft and personal use. Signals from these beacons are received by orbiting SARSAT system satellites and the resulting data is transmitted by the satellites to earth based receiver stations. Coordinates are forwarded to search and rescue coordinators that direct the efforts of emergency responders. In the United States, land based incidents are coordinated by the Air Force and water based events are handled by the Coast Guard.

In announcing save number 6,000, NOAA-SARSAT Program Manager Chris O’Connors says, "With an average of more than 250 rescues each year in the United States alone it’s clear this system is a valuable tool in saving lives. This milestone also comes four months before SARSAT begins tracking distress signals exclusively from the 406 MHz frequency."

Radio beacon technology is changing rapidly and older transmitters operating on the 121.5 and 243 MHz frequencies are being replaced by beacons that operate at 406 MHz. NOAA is strongly urging users of the SARSAT system to upgrade to the new 406 MHz equipment and register their beacons with the agency.