GEN 3.6  SEARCH AND RESCUE

3.6.1   RESPONSIBLE SERIVICE(S)

3.6.1.1  The Aeronautical Search and Rescue (A-SAR) service in Malaysia is provided by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia (FRDM), Marine Department and other SAR Agencies and Authorities.
3.6.1.2  All correspondence concerning A-SAR service shall be addressed to:
Post:

Director of Air Navigation Services Operation Division
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM)
Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC)
Level 1 & 2, West Wing Terminal North
Jalan CTA 3, Kuala Lumpur International Airport
64000 KLIA, Sepang,
Selangor Malaysia Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.
Level 1-4, Podium Block,
No. 27, Persiaran Perdana,
Precinct 4,
(Attention: Search and Rescue Unit)

Post:

62618 Putrajaya
Malaysia
(Attn: Search and Rescue Co-ordinator)

Tel:  +603 8529 1302

Fax:  +603 8529 1310

Email:  sar.hq@caam.gov.my

Telex:  MA 30128

AFS:  WMKKYAYS

3.6.1.3  The A-SAR service is provided in accordance with the provisions of Civil Aviation Directives (CAD) 12 – Search and Rescue which are in compliance with the following ICAO documents and local procedures:

ICAO Annex 12 - Search and Rescue ICAO Doc 7030 - Regional Supplementary Procedures for Alerting & SAR services applicable in the SEA Region ICAO Doc 9731 - International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual Volume 1, 2 and 3 National Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (NAMSAR) Manual, Malaysia.

3.6.1.4  When A-SAR operations involving aircraft are needed, the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC)/ Aeronautical Rescue Sub Centre (ARSC) will be activated within the Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu Search and Rescue Regions (SRRs), the boundaries of which coincide with the Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu FIRs.
3.6.1.5 SAR Agency engaged in the A-SAR operations shall be responsible for the expenses incurred by its own Search and Rescue Units (SRUs) deployed during the SAR mission.

3.6.2  Area Of Responsibilty

3.6.2.1  CAAM is responsible for the overall planning and coordination of A-SAR operations involving aircraft within the Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu FIRs with the exception of accident/incident that happens in/or involving:

  1. Urban/Populated and built areas which requires emergency and disaster responses where National Security Council Directive No. 20 prevails;

  2. Within 5NM radius of an airport/aerodrome where the Local Airport Emergency Plan (AEP) prevails;

  3. Military aircraft whereby the respective military authority procedures prevails; and

  4. Border areas of Malaysia/Indonesia whereby the procedures stipulated in the Border SAR Manual of Malaysia/Indonesia prevails.

3.6.2.2 Each SAR Agency engaged in SAR operations shall be responsible for the expenses incurred by its own SRUs deployed during the SAR Mission.
3.6.2.3 Kuala Lumpur ARCC has been designated as SAR Point of Contact ( SPOC ) for the receipt of COSPASSARSAT data.

3.6.3   TYPE OF SERIVECES

3.6.3.1 Details of the ARCC/ARSC and related rescue units are given in Table 1 - Malaysia ARCCs & ARSCs and Table 2 – Search & Rescue Units. The aeronautical, maritime and public telecommunications services are also available to the SAR organisations.
3.6.3.1 Details of related rescue units are given on GEN 3.6 - 3 - Search and Rescue Units. The aeronautical, maritime and public telecommunications services are also available to the search and rescue organisation.

TABLE 1 : MALAYSIA ARCCs & ARSCs

AERONAUTICAL RESCUE SUB CENTRES (ARSC)

KUALA LUMPUR FIR

 

KOTA KINABALU FIR

Name

KUALA LUMPUR ARCC

 Name

KOTA KINABALU ARCC

Postal
Address

Kuala Lumpur ARCC,
Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre,
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia,
Level 1 & 2, West Wing Terminal North,
Jalan CTA 3, Kuala Lumpur International Airport,
64000 KLIA, Sepang,
Selangor, Malaysia

Postal
Address

Kota Kinabalu ARCC,
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia,
ATCC Building,
Jalan Kepayan,
88618 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia

Telephone

+603 8787 8601 / 8602 (ARCC)

+603 8529 1200 / 1242 (ATCC)

Telephone

+608 8224 403 (ARCC)

+608 8224 404 (ATCC)

Fax

+(60) 3 8787 8600 (ARCC)

+(60) 3 8529 1240 (ATCC)

Fax

+(60) 8 8219 280 (ARCC)

+(60) 8 8219 170 (ATCC)

Email

klarcc@caam.gov.my

Email

kkarcc@caam.gov.my

AFS

WMKKYCYX (ARCC)

WMFCZRZX (ATCC)

AFS

WBKKYCYX (ARCC)

WBKKZRZX (ATCC)

Area of
responsibility

Kuala Lumpur SRR

 

Area of
responsibility

Kota Kinabalu SRR

Remark

  1. 24H manned

  2. Direct speech circuits between ARCCs, ARSCs and related ATS Units available.

 Remark

  1. 24H manned

  2. Direct speech circuits between ARCCs, ARSCs and related ATS Units available.

AERONAUTICAL RESCUE SUB CENTRES (ARSC)

KUALA LUMPUR FIR
Name TERENGGANU ARSC (TGG ARSC)  Name KUANTAN ARSC
Postal
Address		 Terengganu ARSC,
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia,
Sultan Mahmud Airport,
Jalan Lapangan Terbang,
21300 Kuala Terengganu,
Terengganu, Malaysia 		Postal
Address

Kuantan ARSC,
Skuadran 320,
Pangkalan Udara (PU) Kuantan,
25990 Kuantan,
Pahang Malaysia

Telephone

+609 662 1276

+609 622 1278

Telephone

+609 540 2515 (CRC 1)

+609 538 1298 (PU KUANTAN)

Fax

+609 662 1305

Fax

+609 538 1544 (CRC 1)

+609 538 1693 (PU KUANTAN)

Email

tggarsc@caam.gov.my

 

N/A

AFS WMKNZTZX (TOWER)AFS

WMKDYXYD (CRC 1)

WMKDYXYX (PU KUANTAN)

Remark

  1. Available via activation by KL ARCC

  2. Direct speech circuits between ARCC and related ATS Units available.

 Remark

  1. Available on activation by RMAF

  2. Known also as Military RSC West

  3. CRC 1 = Control Reporting Centre 1

KOTA KINABALU FIR

Name

 KUCHING ARSC (KCH ARSC)  

Name

MIRI ARSC

Postal
Address

Kuching ARSC,
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia,
Kuching International Airport,
93728 Kuching,
Sarawak Malaysia

Postal
Address

Miri ARSC
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia,
Lapangan Terbang Miri,
98000 Miri,
Sarawak, Malaysia

Telephone

+608 245 3928 (ARSC)

+608 245 5572 (ATCC)

Telephone

+608 561 3624

+608 561 1350

Fax

+608 257 1526 (ARSC)

+608 257 1524 (ATCC)

Fax

+608 561 5994

Email

 kcharsc@caam.gov.my

Email

 myyarsc@caam.gov.my

AFS

WBGGZTZX (TOWER)

AFS

 WBGRZIZR (APPROACH)

Remark

  1. 24H manned

  2. Direct speech circuits between ARCCs, ARSCs and related ATS Units available.

Remark

  1. Available via activation by KCH ARSC

  2. Direct speech circuits between ARCCs, ARSCs and related ATS Units available.

 

Name

 TAWAU ARSC  

Name

KOTA SAMARAHAN ARSC

Postal
Address

Tawau ARSC,
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia,
Tawau Airport,
91011 Tawau,
Sabah, Malaysia

Postal
Address

Kota Samarahan ARSC
Kompleks CRC 2, Kota Samarahan,
d/a Pangkalan Udara Kuching,
93667 Kuching,
Sarawak Malaysia

Telephone

+608 992 1020

Telephone

+608 267 7131 (CRC 2)

+608 261 2079 (PU KUCHING)

Fax

 +608 995 0129

Fax

+608 267 7114 (CRC 2)

+608 261 2513 (PU KUCHING)

Email

 twuarsc@caam.gov.my

Email

N/A

AFS

 WBKWZTZX  

AFS

WBGGYXYX (CRC 2)

WBGGYWYX (PU KUCHING)

Remark

  1. Available via activation by KCH ARSC

  2. Direct speech circuits between ARCCs, ARSCs and related ATS Units available.

 

Remark

  1. Available on activation by RMAF

  2. Known also as Military RSC East

  3. CRC 2 = Control Reporting Centre 2

TABLE 2 : SEARCH & RESCUE UNITS

LOCATIONFACILITIESREMARKS
AIRCRAFTMARINECRAFTOTHER UNITS
KUALA LUMPUR FIR
ButterworthHEL-HRB, RVPara Rescue Team

  1. All facilities at varying state of readiness and availability.

  2. Facilities will be deployed accordingly.

  3. N/A – Not Applicable

TerengganuN/ARB, RVN/A
LangkawiN/ARB, RVN/A
KuantanHEL-HRB, RVN/A
SubangSRG, MRG, VLR, ELR, HEL-H, HEL-M RB, RVPara Rescue Team
Johor BahruN/ARB, RVN/A
KOTA KINABALU FIR
Kota KinabaluELR, HEL-HRV, RBN/A

  1. All facilities at varying state of readiness and availability.

  2. Facilities will be deployed accordingly.

  3. N/A – Not Applicable

TawauN/ARV, RBJungle Rescue Team
LabuanELR, HEL-HRV, RBPara Rescue Team
MiriN/ARV, RBN/A
KuchingMRGRV, RBPara Rescue Team Jungle Rescue Team
3.6.3.2 CAAM maintains air droppable survival equipment for maritime situations at the RMAF Air Base Butterworth, Kuantan, Kuching, Labuan and Subang. The survival equipment includes inflatable life rafts, emergency rations, medical supplies, signalling equipment and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). The survival equipment is sufficient for the rescue of survivors of wide body aircraft and any maritime incident/accident.
3.6.3.2  Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia maintains air droppable survival equipment for maritime situations at the following locations:

  1. Butterworth.

  2. Subang.

  3. Kuantan.

  4. Kuching.

  5. Labuan.

3.6.3.3  Prompt and accurate information regarding all aircraft movement is essential in order to ensure the expeditious and efficient function of the SAR agencies. Pilots and aircraft operators are therefore requested to ensure that the appropriate agencies are immediately made aware of any circumstances that may require SAR operations to be initiated.
3.6.3.4  Details of 406 MHz Emergency Distress Beacon Registration and Testing are as follows:

  1. Beacon Registration

    Malaysian registered aircraft (except exempted aircraft) are required to be fitted with or to carry ELT(s) in accordance with the requirements of CAD 6 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

    In accordance with requirements of Annex 10, Volume III, Chapter 5, all emergency beacons must be registered with CAAM through SAR Unit, Air Navigation Services Operation Division. (refer www.caam.gov.my/e-services-forms/search-rescue for further details).

    Database of the Malaysian aviation beacons is available for ARCC/ARSC use. Registration allows ARCC/ARSC to respond expeditiously and effectively to distress activations of an ELT, and take timely action to address inadvertent activations (such as false alarms).

  2. Testing Aviation Beacons

    Operational tests must be limited to 5 seconds, and the preferred procedure is that they be conducted within the first 5 minutes of the hour. ARCC/ARSC must be notified in advance prior to the test and, where the beacon is operated on 406 MHz, its HexID must be provided.

    If an ELT/Aviation beacon has been inadvertently activated, this must also be reported to an ATS unit or the ARCC/ARSC immediately

3.6.3.5 Kuala Lumpur ARCC has been designated as SAR Point of Contact (SPOC) for the receipt of COSPAS-SARSAT alert messages.

3.6.4   A-SAR AGREEMENTS

3.6.4.1  A-SAR agreements have been concluded between the CAAM and the SAR authorities of Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, exception with India and Myanmar. These agreements provide mutual assistance in the conduct of A-SAR operations within each other's SRRs and approval for entry of SAR aircraft, vessels and personnel of one state into the SRR of the other state, with prior permission, for the purpose of conducting SAR operations or rendering SAR assistance and for direct communications between the SAR authorities or agencies on all common SAR matters.
3.6.4.2  Request for entry of aircraft, equipment and personnel from other states to engage in search for aircraft in distress or to rescue survivors of aircraft accidents should be transmitted to the relevant ARCC/ARSC. Instructions as to the conditions and control which will be exercised for the entry of such aircraft and/or personnel will be given by the ARCC/ARSC in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) for the conduct of A-SAR in the area.

3.6.5  Conditions Of Availability

3.6.5.1  The SAR service and facilities in Malaysia are available without charge to neighbouring states on an opportunity basis, and upon request to the relevant ARCC/ARSC or the relevant Air Traffic Control Centre (ATCC). The facilities indicated available at the locations, as stated in Table 2 – Search & Rescue Units, do not necessarily denote that the facilities are based at that location but merely indicate that the facilities can be made available if the need arises.
3.6.5.2  The A-SAR service can be requested directly to the Watch Manager of the respective ATCC.

KUALA LUMPUR FIR

KOTA KINABALU FIR

AERONAUTICAL RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRES (ARCC)

NameKuala Lumpur ARCC. NameKota Kinabalu ARCC.
Postal Address
Postal Address
Post:

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia
Bangunan ATCC
Jalan Kepayan
88618 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah
Malaysia

Telephone

+(60) 3 - 8787 8601

+(60) 3 - 8787 8602

Telephone

(+60) 8 8224404 (ATCC)

(+60) 8 8224403 (ARCC)

Telefax

+(60) 3 - 8787 8600

Telefax

(+60) 8 8219170 (ATCC)

(+60) 8 8219280 (ARCC)

AFS

WMFCZRZX (ATCC)

WMKKYCYX (ARCC)

AFS

WBKKZRZX (ATCC)

WBKKYCYX (ARCC)

TelegraphTo be addressed to Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre.TelegraphTo be addressed to Air Traffic Control Centre, Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Search and Rescue AreaKuala Lumpur FIR.Search and Rescue AreaKota Kinabalu FIR.
Responsible Authority
Post:

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre

Responsible Authority
Post:

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia Kota Kinabalu International Airport

Remarksi. email : klarcc@caam.gov.my
ii. Direct speech circuits between ARCCs, ARSCs and related ATS Units area avbl.		RemarksDirect speech circuits between ARCCs, ARSCs and related ATS Units area avbl.

AERONAUTICAL RESCUE SUB CENTRES (ARSC)

i. NameButterworth ARSC. i. NameLabuan ARSC.
Postal Address
Post:

Royal Malaysian Air Force
Butterworth Aerodrome
13050 Butterworth
Malaysia.

Postal Address
Post:

Royal Malaysian Air Force
Labuan Airport
87007 Labuan
Sabah.

Telephone Number(+60) 4 3232078Telephone NumberLabuan (+60) 8 7412236
Telefax No. +604 - 3232122 Telefax No.(+60) 8 7416560
AFSWMKBZGZX / WMKBYCYXAFSWBKLZGZX / WBKLYCYX
 
ii. NameKuantan ARSC ii. NameKuching ARSC.
Postal Address
Post:

Royal Malaysian Air Force
Kuantan Aerodrome
26070 Kuantan
Pahang Darul Makmur.

Postal Address
Post:

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia
Kuching International Airport
93728 Kuching
Sarawak.

Telephone(+60) 9 5381298Telephone

(+60) 8 2455572(ATCC)

(+60) 8 2453928 (ARSC)

(+60) 8 2455572 (ARSC)

Telefax(+60) 9 5381693Telefax(+60) 8 2571524/571526
AFSWMKDZGZX / WMKDYCYXAFSWBGGZGZX / WBGGYCYX
Name Location Facilities Remarks
Aircraft Marinecraft Other Units
1 2 3 4

KUALA LUMPUR SRR

Butterworth 

MRG

HEL-H

RB

RV

Para Rescue Team

  1. All Facilities at varying state of readiness and availability.

  2. Facilities will be deployed accordingly.

Terengganu  RB
RV		 
Langkawi  RB
RV		 
Kuantan 

MRG

HEL-H

RB

RV

Para Rescue Team
Subang 

SRG

MRG

VLR

ELR

HEL-H

HEL-M

RB

RV

Para Rescue Team

Jungle Rescue Team

Johor Bahru  RB
RV		 

KOTA KINABALU SRR

Kota Kinabalu 

ELR

HEL-H

RV

RB

 

  1. All Facilities at varying state of readiness and availability.

  2. Facilities will be deployed accordingly.

Kuching 

ELR

HEL-H

RV

RB

Para Rescue Team

Jungle Rescue Team

Labuan 

ELR

HEL-H

RV

RB

Para Rescue Team
Miri  RB
RV		 
Tawau  RB
RV		Jungle RescueTeam
DISTRESS FREQUENCY GUARD
FREQUENCY HOURS OF WATCH WATCH KEPT BY
500 KHz

24 hours

H + 15 to H + 18 and

H + 45 to H + 48

Telecoms Radio Station at Kuala Muda, Penang

Ships at sea

2182 KHz24 hours

Telecoms Radio Station at Kuala Muda, Penang

Ships at sea

121.5 MHz

24 hours

Ad Operating hours

Kuala Lumpur ATCC

Kota Kinabalu ATCC

All ATC units during published operational hours

243.0 MHz

Ad Operating hours

Ad Operating hours

Ad Operating hours

Butterworth ATC

Kuantan ATC

Labuan ATC

3.6.6  PROCEDURES AND SIGNALS USED

3.6.6.1 Procedures And Signals Used By Aircraft

  1. Procedures for pilots-in-command observing an accident or intercepting a distress call and/or message are outlined in ICAO Annex 12, Chapter 5; and

  2. Ditching reports, requested by aircraft about to ditch, are given in accordance with the provision in Procedures for Air Navigation Services, Meteorology (ICAO Doc 7605-MET/526)

3.6.6.2 Communications

  1. Transmission and reception of distress messages within Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu SRRs are handled in accordance with ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5, para 5.3 (refer Table 3 – Distress Frequency Guard)

  2. Information concerning positions, callsigns, frequencies and hours of operation of Malaysian aeronautical stations is published in section AD 2 and ENR 2;

  3. Rescue aircraft belonging to permanent SRUs will use the following call-signs:

    1. Fixed Wing - 'Rescue (plus number)'

    2. Rotary Wing - 'Rescue Heli (plus number)'

  4. Rescue vessel/boat will use the following call- sign:

    1. 'Rescue Vessel/Boat (plus number)' / 'Agency’s Vessel Name'

TABLE 3 : DISTRESS FREQUENCY GUARD

FREQUENCYHOURS OF WATCH WACH KEPT BY

121.5 MHz

24 Hours AD Operating HoursKuala Lumpur ATCC Kota Kinabalu ATCC All ATC Unts during published operational hours

243.0 MHz

AD Operating HoursButterworth ATC Kuantan ATC Labuan ATC

156.8 MHz (Channel 16)

156.525 MHz (Channel 70)

2182 KHz

24 HoursMRCC Putrajaya
3.6.6.3 Search And Rescue Signals

  1. The SAR signals to be used are those prescribed in ICAO Annex 12, Chapter 5, para 5.8; and

  2. Ground/Air visual signal codes for use by survivors (refer Table 4 – Ground/Air Visual Codes).

TABLE 4 : GROUND/AIR VISUAL CODES
NO.MESSAGECODE SYMBOLINSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
1Require assistanceV

  1. Use strips of fabric, parachute material, pieces of wood, stones, or other available material.

  2. Make signals not less than 8 FT (2.5 M).

  3. Lay out symbols exactly as depicted to avoid confusion.

  4. Provide maximum colour contrast between signals and background.

  5. Endeavour to attract attention by other means such as radio, flares, smoke or reflected light.

2Require medical assistanceX
3No or NegativeN
4Yes or AffirmativeY
5Proceeding in this direction↑
Figure 101. KUALA LUMPUR, KOTA KINABALU AND ADJACENT SEARCH AND RESCUE REGIONS
PDF../graphics/106891.pdf

3.6.6  Procedures And Signals Used

3.6.6.1  Procedures And Signals Used By Aircraft
3.6.6.1.1 Procedures for pilots-in-command observing an accident or intercepting a distress call and/or message are outlined in ICAO Annex 12, chapter 5.
3.6.6.1.2 Ditching reports, requested by aircraft about to ditch, are given in accordance with the provision in PROCEDURES FOR AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES, METEOROLOGY, ICAO DOC 7605 - MET/526.
3.6.6.2  Communications

Transmission and reception of distress messages are handled in accordance with ICAO Annex 10 Volume II, Chapter 5, para 5.3

Information concerning positions, call-signs, frequencies and hours of operation of aeronautical stations is published in AD 2.

Rescue aircraft belonging to permanent Search and Rescue Units will use the following call-signs:

  1. Fixed Wing - 'Rescue (plus number)'

  2. Rotary Wing - 'Rescue Helicopter (plus number)'

Rescue vessels / boats will use the following call- sign:

'Rescue Boat (plus number)'

3.6.6.3  Search And Rescue Signals

The search and rescue signals to be used are those prescribed in ICAO Annex 12, Chapter 5, para 5.10. These are shown on GEN 3.6-6.

SEARCH AND RESCUE SIGNALS

Ground / Air Visual Signal Code For Use By Survivors

No Message Code symbol No Message Code symbol
1

Require assistance

4Yes or affirmative

2

Require medical assistance

5Proceeding in this direction

3

No or Negative

   

Ground / Air Visual Signal Code For Use By Rescue Units

No Message Code symbol No Message Code symbol
1

Operation completed

5Have divided in two groups. Each proceeding in direction indicated

2

We have found all personnel

6Information received that aircraft is in this direction.

3

We have found only some personnel

7Nothing found. Will continue to search

4We are not able to continue. Returning to base.

   

Instructions for use:

  1. Use strips of fabric, parachute material, pieces of wood, stones, or other available material.

  2. Make signals not less than 8 FT (2.5 m).

  3. Lay out symbols exactly as depicted to avoid confusion.

  4. Provide maximum colour contrast between signals and background.

  5. Endeavour to attract attention by other means such as radio, flares, smoke or reflected light.

Figure 114. KUALA LUMPUR, KOTA KINABALU AND ADJACENT SEARCH AND RESCUE REGIONS
PDF../graphics/244023.pdf