Supervisors info:
Δρ. «Επιβλέπων_1ο_Μέλος», Λέκκας Ευθύμιος, Καθηγητής ΕΚΠΑ
Δρ. «M_2ο_Μέλος_Τριμελούς», Λόζιος Στυλιανός, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής ΕΚΠΑ
Δρ. «M_3ο_Μέλος_Τριμελούς», Κράνης Χαράλαμπος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής ΕΚΠΑ
«Διδάσκων» Μαρτζάκλης Βασίλειος Αξιωματικός Πυροσβεστικού Σώματος Πτυχιούχος Δημόσιας Διοίκησης Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου, Expert E.U. Civil Protection Mechanism
Summary:
Abstract
Search and rescue in the event of an aircraft accident is governed by the 1944 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Convention as well as by additional ICAO rules. More specifically, the Hellenic search and rescue area was designated by an ICAO Regional Air Navigation Agreement in 1952 and coincides with the Athinai FIR. Under the provisions of these rules, Greece has undertaken the obligation to provide Search & Rescue services to the aircrafts at risk when flying to the FIR of Athens, a task which has been entrusted to the Air Force.
Furthermore, following the rules of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greece has undertaken the obligation to provide services in case of marine accidents in the maritime area in Athens FIR. This responsibility is entrusted to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
The Air Sector of the Hellenic Joint Rescue Coordination Center, is responsible for the coordination and management of SAR operations concerning aircraft in distress, for the provision of air means to the Maritime sector on request for naval incidents, for assistance to people in danger on land following a formal request of Civil Protection Service and for the provision of suitable air means to neighboring RCC’s, upon request.
SAR missions using air assets are specific operations of great importance, for the commonweal of the Hellenic society and the promotion of national interests. As they may take place in unpredictable time and under all weather conditions (sometimes adverse, or marginal), careful and detailed planning and prompt, timely and accurate execution is needed, in order to minimize the risk for both, persons in distress and flying crews. They are various and diverse, and even if they look similar sometimes, they have substantial differences, as they may be affected by a plethora of factors and parameters that may differentiate, every time.
The present postgraduate Master Thesis, aims at highlighting and promoting the management of Search and Rescue operations, concerning Aeronautical, Maritime and Overland accidents, by the Air Sector of the Hellenic JRCC, within the entire Athinai FIR.
Chapter one, contains a brief narrative of historical data regarding the establishment of the Air Sector of the Hellenic JRCC, the legal framework and institutional documents that govern its function, its personnel and the area of its responsibility.
Chapter two presents the types of air assets that JRCC employs, their capabilities and alert status, as well as the main rescue equipment used by them.
Chapter three presents the Hellenic Mission Control Center, in JRCC and the new MEOSAR system of satellite tracking of distress location beacons, used by aircrafts, ships and individual persons.
In chapter four, management of aeronautical, maritime and overland accidents by JRCC, is explicitly developed, as well as MEDEVAC cases, while the importance of effective and efficient handling of search and rescue operations for the daily reality of society and the promotion of national interests, is highlighted and emphasized.
Chapter five, focuses on JRCC/Air Sector contribution to refugee/immigrant burning issue handling, by presenting data concerning flights and missions performed in the interest of Illegally Incoming Persons (IIP), during 2011 – 2018, including cost figures. Additionally, the percentage if IIP cases involvement, in comparison to the entire JRCC mission workload is presented, commented and illustrated. Furthermore, spatial distribution of IIP search and rescue incidents is presented and commented and a brief mention of Coast Guard air assets’ contribution is provided.
Chapter six elaborates on operational challenges, faced by JRCC/Air Sector as well as on challenges concerning national sovereignty and interests.
Chapter seven presents conclusions and ascertainments regarding to the management of search and rescue incidents by JRCC/Air Sector, along with specific reference to IIP cases and assessment and prediction for the evolution and progress of immigrant/refugee issue, in the regard of air assets engagement.
Based on the above conclusions and takeaways, and the overall JRCC’s experience, chapter eight names proposals and recommendations, aiming at improving aeronautical search and rescue services, from an operational point of view, along with a more theoretical approach.
The Hellenic SAR system, under the guidance and direction of JRCC has been reliable and efficient, saving numerous lives during the previous years, establishing the basis for continuous upgrading and enhancement for the foreseeable future.
Keywords:
Key words: Search and rescue, coordination and management of SAR operations, Air Sector of the Hellenic Joint Rescue Coordination Center, accidents, refugee/immigrant issue handling, data concerning flights and missions, operational challenges, proposals and recommendations.
