The aviation SAR in the Republic of Latvia is provided by the national Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre – ARCC, Border Guard and Ministry of Defence SAR units for SAR operations for civil aircraft.

A request for a permit for foreign aircraft, equipment and personnel to enter Latvian territory in search of an aircraft in distress or to rescue survivors of aircraft accidents, should be addressed to the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre which will also give instructions regarding the control to be exercised on these occasions.

Postal and telegraphic addresses of the Latvian Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre are as follows:

Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre - ARCC

Callsign: “ARCC Latvia”

Post:

The State Border Guard Aviation Board/ARCC

Jaunsmilgas, Runtorta, Isnaudas pagasts, Ludzas novads, LV-5701

Latvija

Tel: +371 65703988

+371 29337238

+371 20444280

Fax: +371 65703982

Email: ARCC.Latvia@rs.gov.lv

AFS: NIL

The service is provided in accordance with the provisions contained in the following ICAO documents:

Annex 10 Aeronautical Telecommunications (Volume II)

Annex 12 Search and Rescue

Annex 13 Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation

Doc 7030 Regional Supplementary Procedures

Doc 9731-AN/958 International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual.

The Search and Rescue Service is responsible for aviation SAR operations within the Riga FIR, except for the response zones of the rescue services of civil aerodromes (airports), military aerodromes, military areas, and the area under the responsibility of the Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre.

Details of related rescue units are given in Table 3.6.3 Search and Rescue Units. In addition, various elements of the State Police Organisation, the merchant marine and the armed forces are available for SAR missions when required. The aeronautical, maritime and public telecommunication services are available to the SAR organisation.

Military SAR helicopters carry survival equipment, capable of being dropped, consisting of inflatable rubber dinghies equipped with medical supplies, emergency rations and survival radio equipment. Aircraft and marine craft are equipped to communicate on 121.5 MHz, 2182 kHz. Ground rescue teams are equipped to communicate on 121.5 MHz. SAR aircraft and marine craft are equipped with direction finding equipment and radar.

Table 3.6.3 Search and Rescue Units

NAME	LOCATION	FACILITIES	AVAILABILITY	REMARKS
Lielvarde Air Base	564645N 0245114E	MRG Mi-17	20 MIN MON – FRI 0630-1500 (0530-1400) 90 MIN holidays and night time	Search and Rescue Radius: 162 NM Endurance 4HR Cruising speed 120 kt
Ludza (EVLU – Latvian State Border Guard Heliport)	563116N 0274139E	MRG AW-109E	15 MIN MON-FRI 0600-1430 (0500-1330) 75 MIN holidays and night time	Search and Rescue Radius 220 NM Endurance 2 HR 20 MIN Cruising speed 130 kt
		MRG AB-206B	Only during daylight 15 MIN MON-FRI 0600-1430 (0500-1330) 75 MIN holidays	Search Radius 220 NM Endurance 3 HR 15 MIN Cruising speed 100 kt

The Republic of Latvia has intergovernmental agreements with the Russian Federation, Kingdom of Sweden, Republic of Estonia and Republic of Lithuania on Co-operation in Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue.

For conditions of availability, see Table 3.6.3.

Procedures and Signals used by aircraft

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

Communications

Transmission and receipt of distress messages within the SAR area are handled in accordance with ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5, paragraph 5.3.

For communications during SAR operations, the codes and abbreviations published in ICAO codes and Abbreviations (Doc 8400) are used.

The frequency 121.500 MHz is monitored continuously during their hours of service at all area control centres and flight information centres. The aerodrome control towers serving international aerodromes and international alternate aerodromes will, on request, monitor the frequency 121.500 MHz. All coast stations monitor the international distress frequencies.

Rescue aircraft conducting SAR use the call sign "RESCUE" and additional identification marks (ALFA, BRAVO, CHARLIE etc.)

Search and Rescue Signals

The SAR signals to be used are those prescribed in Annex 12, Chapter 5, paragraph 5.8.

In addition, the following procedure is used by army force helicopters or aircraft when searching for survivors at night:

• search aircraft will fire a single green pyrotechnic at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes;
• survivors should then allow 30 seconds after they see the signal (so that the search aircraft can move beyond the glare) and should then fire a red pyrotechnic followed, after a short interval, by a second. The object of the second signal is to enable the crew of the aircraft to check that they are heading towards the survivors;
• survivors should fire additional pyrotechnics if the aircraft appears to be getting off-track and then when it is almost overhead, so that an accurate position can be obtained.

Ground/Air Visual Signal Codes for Use by Survivors

International Ground/Visual Emergency Code Instructions for use:

1. Make signals not less than 8 ft (2.5 M).
2. Take care to lay out signals exactly as shown.
3. Provide as much colour contrast as possible between signals and background.
4. Make every effort to attract attention by other means, such as radio, flares, smoke, reflected light.

Note: It is preferable to use the International Ground/Air Emergency Code. The symbols may be made larger and hence more recognisable from the air. Paulins should be folded to form the signals shown. A paulin is also an extremely valuable survival shelter, poncho, ground sheet, sleeping-bag cover, sunshade, or rain collector.