+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| U.S. Department                   | **Advisory**                     |
|                                   |                                  |
| of Transportation                 | **Circular**                     |
|                                   |                                  |
| **Federal Aviation**              |                                  |
|                                   |                                  |
| **Administration**                |                                  |
+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| **Subject:** WATER RESCUE PLANS,  | **Date:**      | **AC No:**     |
| FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT         | 4/15/04        | 150/5210-13B   |
|                                   |                |                |
|                                   | **Initiated    | **Change:**    |
|                                   | by:** AAS-300  |                |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+

### PURPOSE. This Advisory Circular (AC) provides guidance to assist airport operators in preparing for water rescue operations.

### CANCELLATION. This AC cancels AC 150/5210-13A, Water Rescue Plans, Facilities, and Equipment, dated May 31, 1991.

### APPLICABILITY. The material contained in this AC applies to the operation of civil airports where aeronautical activity is conducted near a significant body of water. Certificated airport operators may use these recommendations and guidelines to satisfy certain portions of the requirements of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 139, section 139.325.

### RELATED READING MATERIAL. AC 150/5200-31, Airport Emergency Plan, and AC 150/5210-7, Aircraft Fire and Rescue Communications, provide related guidance.

![](media/image1.png){width="2.5375in" height="0.5888888888888889in"}

**David L. Bennett**

Director, Office of Airport Safety and Standards

### INTRODUCTION. The following paragraphs provide guidance on the special considerations that airport operators must think about when preparing for water rescue operations in the vicinity of an airport. These include preplanning issues, such as delineation of responsibilities, the planning process, training, and equipment.

### BACKGROUND. 

**a. Input from Other Agencies.** We have incorporated into this AC
lessons learned during National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
investigations. This AC also contains updated sources of information
about water rescue training from the United States Coast Guard and
offered by Maritime Universities.

1.  **Domestic Operations.** While aircraft involved in domestic
    operations carry \"slide raft/flotation devices,\" they do not
    typically carry rafts or inflatable life vests unless they are over
    50 miles from shore.

2.  **Overseas Operations.** In contrast, aircraft engaged in overseas
    operations carry inflatable life vests, large rafts, and other
    flotation devices capable of getting a large number of passengers
    out of the water. This equipment is most useful in a ditching where
    there is time to preplan and brief the passengers about what they
    should do when the plane lands in the water.

3.  **Approach and Departure.** Accidents around airport environs will
    most likely take place during the approach to or departure from the
    airport. A 1985 in-house study by the NTSB entitled," [Air Carrier
    Over Water Emergency Equipment and Procedures]{.underline} (NTSB
    Report SS-85/02) found \"Current procedures and equipment are
    designed on the assumption that air carrier water contact accidents
    are primarily ditching, a water accident characterized by at least
    some preparation time and relatively little aircraft damage. In
    fact, a review of air carrier water contact accidents between 1959
    and 1984 [shows that such accidents are typically inadvertent, with
    no preparation time, substantial aircraft damage and a high chance
    of occupant injury]{.underline}. Typically, these accidents do not
    occur on \[extended over water flight\]\...but close to an airport,
    during approach and departure...\"

**b. Water Rescue Preparedness.** Airport officials responsible for
emergency preparedness should develop an airport emergency plan that
includes a section on water rescue (as detailed in AC 150/5200-31). It
should specify any specialized rescue training and equipment needed to
provide safe water rescue services given by the airport\'s proximity to
bodies of water. In addition the plan should address the unique
character or \"type\" of water around the airport, as it may be a
critical factor in emergency planning. For example, in Hawaii, coral
reefs close to the shoreline demand unique approaches to water rescue.

### SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS.

**a. Major Survival Factors.** Survivors of aircraft accidents in water
may be subjected to post impact fires, fuel/vapor inhalation, ingestion,
hypothermia, further injury from debris, drowning, freezing, and/or
attack by marine life.

The NTSB Aircraft Accident Report AAR-82-8 states that aircrash
survivability depends on certain factors:

-   That the deceleration forces do not exceed the known tolerable
    limits of the human body.

-   That the restraint system-seatbelts, seat structure, and seat
    anchorage points remain intact.

-   That the occupied areas remain relatively intact to prevent ejection
    and to provide living space for the occupants.

If any of the above is absent, the likelihood of a successful rescue is
significantly diminished.

**b. Water Temperature.** Survivors of water crashes must depend more on
rescue personnel than survivors of similar incidents on dry land because
of exposure related issues. Not only will the passengers be unprepared
to be in water, but they will also experience increased body-cooling
rates due to evaporating fuel. We recommend that rescue personnel
consider all survivors to suffer from hypothermia until medical
personnel determine otherwise.

**c. Duration of Exposure.** Rescue plans must also take into account
the proper treatment of survivors after their rescue. The rescue craft
should hold materials for removing fuel from survivors and the proper
number of blankets, which will keep survivors from experiencing
hypothermia or even death while in transit to medical facilities. The
blankets on rescue craft should be made of wool and not polertec,
fleece, space blanket material, or other fabrics.

**d. Evacuation.** Water rescue planning must account for problems
transporting survivors from the water to pre-determined triage,
decontamination, and transportation zones.

**e. Nature of Injuries.** Passengers in aircraft accidents may sustain
substantial cardiac injuries that result in significant internal
bleeding. As a result, rescue personnel should place all survivors in a
supine position until medical personnel can evaluate them.

### WATER RESCUE RESPONIBILITIES. 

**a. Certificated Airports.** In accordance with 14 CFR Part 139,
certificated airport operators are to include in their airport emergency
plans provisions for the rescue of aircraft accident victims from
significant bodies of water or marsh lands situated adjacent to the
airports and beneath the approach and departure flight paths of air
carriers.

4.  **Significant Body of Water.** A body of water or marshland is
    significant if the area exceeds one-quarter square mile (0.6 sq km)
    and cannot be traversed by conventional land rescue vehicles. The
    emergency plan should include significant bodies of water located
    within at least 2 miles (3.2 km) of the end of an airport runway.

5.  **Identification of Responders**. The airport emergency plan should
    include the name, address, and telephone number of each water rescue
    squad, service, or government agency (i.e., Coast Guard, Harbor
    Patrol or specially trained marine law enforcement and fire
    department units) responsible for conducting water rescue operations
    in the significant body of water.

**b. Primary Response Agency Other Than Airport**. Even when the airport
operator is not the primary response agency, it has responsibility for
implementing the airport emergency plan and ensuring that the
appropriate rescue agency/agencies are formally notified of the
possibility of an aircraft accident where there is a significant body of
water.

(1) **Mutual Aid**. Because of jurisdictional or logistical reasons, an
    airport operator may need to develop a water rescue plan that
    consists of a written mutual aid agreement identifying an entity
    other than the airport to act as the primary response agency. Such
    agreements are typically signed with the local fire/rescue
    department, Coast Guard, Marine Police, Harbor Patrol, or National
    Guard. A water rescue plan may also contain additional signed
    agreements with private entities, such as tug operators, ferries,
    marina facilities, medical helicopter services, crane operators, and
    construction or recovery crews.

(2) **Responders Identified and Involved in Exercises.** At certificated
    airports, where another entity will assume the role of the primary
    response agency, the airport operator should specify the
    responsibilities and duties in a written mutual aid agreement. In
    accordance with 14 CFR Part 139, the airport\'s emergency plan
    (including responders identified and involved in exercises) must be
    thoroughly reviewed periodically, (i.e., an annual tabletop and a
    full-scale exercise every 3 years). The airport operator should also
    periodically evaluate the airport water rescue component as part of
    either the annual tabletop or tri-annual, full-scale emergency
    exercise.

### WATER RESCUE PLANNING.

**a. Response Assignments.** The water rescue plan should state what
equipment and personnel actions participating agencies will be expected
to provide and establish what agency will assume the primary response
role. If the airport will not serve as the primary response agency, the
airport operator should ensure this is specified in a mutual aid
agreement as well as in the emergency plan. It should also clearly
define in writing what it will provide to the primary support agency.

**b. Support Inventory.** The water rescue plan should include an
inventory of what services, equipment capabilities, and facilities each
agency will provide, and locations and plans for mobilizing personnel
and equipment. The airport operator should maintain an inventory list
and update it regularly to ensure that the necessary equipment and
personnel are available. To the extent practicable, the plan should
provide for the use of rescue vessels with enough combined capacity to
accommodate the maximum number of persons that can be carried on board
the largest air carrier aircraft that the airport reasonably can be
expected to serve.

**c. Incident Command.** An Incident Command System (ICS) should be
clearly defined in the airport water rescue plan and used throughout the
incident.

**d. Additional or Unplanned Assistance.** The plan should recognize
that boaters who see the accident will want to rescue passengers in the
water. In addition once news of the accident spreads, other members of
the public might want to assist. Because they are not likely to be
familiar with aircraft or experienced in emergency response, they may
inadvertently increase the danger to survivors in the water and to
themselves. It is very important to establish effective \"absolute\"
control procedures to prevent their involvement in the rescue. When
possible, ask the Coast Guard to issue a marine broadcast to keep
boaters out of the area once the ICS has been established.

**e. Handling of Survivors.** The plan should set forth practices and
procedures for rescue of survivors from floating and/or submerged
sections of fuselage. The airport operator or primary response agency
should establish specific docking/landing areas (both primary and
alternate sites) onshore where survivors can be brought for triage, fuel
decontamination, and transportation to hospital facilities. The
selection of docking/landing areas should take into account that routes
through the airport proper might not provide the most direct access to
hospitals with facilities appropriate for treating survivors.

**f. Other Considerations.** In addition to the items outlined above,
the plan should address the following issues:

-   notification of the incident or accident

-   jurisdictional authority

-   alarms

-   response times

-   hazardous material, and/or other special considerations

-   personnel recall

-   security

-   traffic control

-   medical, rescue, firefighting services

-   an inventory of specialized services and equipment

-   training

-   drills

-   triage

-   services for uninjured passengers

-   airline support

-   removal of the deceased

-   and the resumption of normal operations

### TRAINING. 

**a. Designated Personnel.** At airports that plan to provide water
rescue, the rescue personnel are generally selected from among trained
aircraft rescue and fire fighting and/or airport police personnel.
Rescue personnel should receive additional training in rescue boat
handling in the specific rescue craft used at the airport. Training must
be provided by competent, experienced personnel. To ensure cost
effectiveness of training, the airport operator or primary response
agency should assign these specially trained personnel to the airport
water rescue team for as long a time as is practical. Training should
include victim recognition, hazard recognition, and the proper use of
personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment includes
floatation devices, thermal protection, and blood borne pathogen
protection.

**b. Topics for Training.** The airport operator should ensure that its
rescue personnel, mutual aid personnel, and any others expected to
engage in water rescue activities are familiar with airport and water
rescue planning, techniques, rescue boat handling skills, and victim
handling procedures. The airport operator should also ensure that all
airport rescue personnel or mutual aid personnel that may engage in any
rescue swimming activities should be trained in rescue swimming. (Note:
Because of the potential danger involved, rescue swimmers should only be
deployed as a last resort \[i.e., row, throw and go (RTG)\] by a
competently trained person.)

This training should address the subjects in the basic outlines provided
below.

**[Boat Training]{.underline}**

(1) **Construction and Characteristics of Rescue Boats**

(2) **Propulsion Systems**

(3) **Vessel Dynamics**

(4) **Search Patterns**

(5) **Rescue Planning**

(6) **Ocean Dynamics**

(7) **Limited Visibility**

######### Recovery of Persons in Water/Extrication Skills

######### Towing Procedures

(8) **Rescue Swimmer Deployment**

######### Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Care

**[Rescue Swimming]{.underline}**

######## Safety Fundamentals

a.  Deployment considerations; tethering and tending of swimmers

b.  Confined space and submerged space prohibitions

c.  Environmental hazards/aircraft hazards

######## Rescue Swimmer Equipment 

a.  Thermal protection and floatation aids

b.  Mask, snorkel, and fins

c.  Tethering systems

d.  Signaling/identification aids

######## Communications

a.  Hand, whistle, and line signals

######## Immersion Hypothermia and Cold Water Drowning

a.  Recognition and treatment

######## Ocean Dynamics and Operating Near Aircraft

b.  Waves, swells, and currents

######## Physiological Aspects of Rescue Swimming

a.  Respiration and circulation

b.  Alterations in breathing patterns

c.  Muscle cramps

d.  Importance of conditioning

######## Swimmer Operations 

e.  Dressing and deployment skills

f.  Swim training

g.  Victim handling

h.  Recovery of conscious, unconscious, and panicking survivors

i.  Line system

j.  Multiple victims

### INITIAL AND RECURRENT TRAINING. It is important that the airport operator or primary response agency should establish a recurrent training schedule for personnel involved in water rescue soon after they complete their initial training. Rescuers should conduct frequent marine-related exercises including use of the rescue craft and other equipment during different weather conditions and seasons. At least half of the exercises should occur at night or during seasonal inclement weather and/or winter conditions. This training and recurrent training should be documented. 

**8. SOURCES FOR WATER RESCUE INFORMATION AND TRAINING.** A partial list
of sources, both public and private, for information and training
related to various aspects of water rescue is given below. This list is
not represented to be complete nor does it indicate the only sources for
such training. It is provided only as starting point for information for
emergency preparedness officials and does not represent an endorsement
by the FAA. The information was current on the date of publication of
this advisory circular.

**Massachusetts Maritime Academy**

101 Academy Drive

Buzzards Bay, MA 02432

Contact: Ed O\'Brien

Ph: 508-830-5091

E-mail: [**obrien@mma.mass.edu**](mailto:obrien@mma.mass.edu)

Website: [**http://www.maritime.edu**](http://www.maritime.edu/)

## Lake Superior College 

Fire Technology and Administration Courses

2101 Trinity Road

Duluth, MN 55811

Ph: 800-432-2884 (toll free)

Ph: 218-733-7600

Website: [**http://www.lsc.cc.mn.us**](http://www.lsc.cc.mn.us/)

## University of Missouri--Columbia

Fire and Rescue Training Institute

240 Heinkel Building

Columbia, MO 65211

Ph: 800-869-3476 (toll free)

Ph: 573-882-4735

Fax: 573- 882-0678

E-mail: [**frti@missouri.edu**](mailto:frti@missouri.edu)

Website:
[**http://www.mufrti.org/about.htm**](http://www.mufrti.org/about.htm)

###### United States Power Squadron 

1504 Blue Ridge Road

PO Box 30423

Raleigh, NC 27622

Ph: 800-367-8777 (toll free)

Ph: 1-919-821-0281

Website: [**http://www.usps.org**](http://www.usps.org/)

## Marine Rescue Consultants

2043 Westcliff Drive

Suite 108

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Ph: 714-966-6455

Website: [**http://www.marinerescue.com**](http://www.marinerescue.com/)

**Florida Public Safety**

PO Box 1905

Sebring, FL 33871

Ph: 863-385-3888

E-mail: [**phcolby@FL-PS.org**](mailto:phcolby@FL-PS.org)

Website:
[**http://www.fl-ps.org/ioc.html**](http://www.fl-ps.org/ioc.html)

**Ocean Rescue Systems**

PO Box 3423

Portland, ME 04104

Ph: 207-799-3299

Website:
[**http://www.oceanrescue.com/page3.html**](http://www.oceanrescue.com/page3.html)

## United States Coast Guards

## The National Maritime Center Website

4200 Wilson Boulevard

Suite 630

Arlington, VA

### Ph: 703-235-0002 {#ph-703-235-0002 .Paragraph}

E-mail: [**ksmith@ballston.uscg.mil**](mailto:ksmith@ballston.uscg.mil)

Website:
[**http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nmc/web/index.htm**](http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nmc/web/index.htm)

-   USCG Approved Fast Rescue Boats courses

Link:
[**http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/marpers/examques/frb.pdf**](http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/marpers/examques/frb.pdf)

**National Association of**

**State Boating Law Administrators**

1500 Leestown Road, Suite 330

Lexington, KY 40511

Ph: 859-225-9487

Fax: 859-231-6403

E-mail: [**info@nasbla.org**](mailto:info@nasbla.org) (for general
information)

Website: [**http://www.nasbla.org**](http://www.nasbla.org/)

-   NASBLA Approved Boating Safety Courses

Link:
[**http://www.nasbla.org/state_courses.htm**](http://www.nasbla.org/state_courses.htm)

-   NASBLA Approved Non-State Boating Safety Courses

Link:
[**http://www.nasbla.org/nonstate_courses.htm**](http://www.nasbla.org/nonstate_courses.htm)

## American Red Cross 

Contact your local Red Cross office and ask for the Health and Safety
Services Office for a full listing of swimming, water rescue, and
boating courses.

Website: **[http://redcross.org](http://redcross.org/)**

### COMMUNICATIONS. The planning and implementation of proper and effective communications for water rescue operations is complex. In an accident on an airport, it is the airport operator\'s responsibility to respond. However, in an aircraft accident in the water another governmental agency might provide incident command. In such cases the airport operator must quickly communicate to the primary response agency that an accident has taken place and dispatch airport representatives to the Incident Command Post.

**a. Notification of Airport Rescue Personnel.** Airport rescue
personnel in the aircraft rescue and fire fighting station or water
rescue substation should be notified of an aircraft in the water.
Cross-trained personnel located in the terminal building or elsewhere on
the airport should be notified by a reliable means of communication
(i.e., pager, radio, or cell phone).

**b. Notification of Mutual Aid Partners.** A reliable voice and
electronic communications system should be available between the airport
and other official agencies or parties specified in the mutual aid
agreement. The system may make use of telephone and/or radio technology.
However, since some cellular phone systems may become overloaded, we
recommend the use of a mobile communications post.

1.  All emergency communications make use of Marine VHF-FM channel 16
    frequency. If an airport operator has one or more vessels, it should
    ensure these vessels use this frequency. The Coast Guard normally
    conducts all communication during an emergency rescue operation on
    VHF-FM channel 22. Other Marine VHF-FM channels may be used in
    emergency situations in different areas and jurisdictions.

2.  The emergency plan should address the establishment and location of
    a command post to direct rescue operations, as well as the method(s)
    of communication to be used.

**c. Command and Control During the Rescue Operation**. If other
agencies, particularly the Coast Guard or Harbor Police, perform rescue
operations the airport operator will need to establish communications on
a marine radio frequency with the primary response agency. This may
require the airport operator to purchase marine radios or install marine
radio channels in airport radios. In addition, the designation of a
command post may be the prerogative of the primary response agency, and
the airport operator should ensure that it is able to communicate with
the designated post.

**d. Coordination.** Rescue operations between rescue personnel on the
water and on land must be coordinated to ensure that survivors are
brought to the previously designated areas on shore for triage,
decontamination, and surface transportation.

### RESCUE VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT.

**a. Types of Vehicles.**

3.  Vehicles used in conducting water rescue operations must be
    appropriate for the particular water environment involved.
    Collectively, they should have enough capacity to accommodate the
    maximum number of passengers carried by the largest type of aircraft
    serving the airport. To ensure the appropriate selection of water
    rescue vehicles for the specific airport, people responsible for
    acquiring these vehicles must consider seasonal weather variations
    and daily tide conditions (e.g., ice, wave height, surf conditions,
    water temperature, hours of daylight, prevailing winds, etc.)

4.  Normally, various types of boats will be the primary water rescue
    vehicles. Other vehicles may include helicopters, air cushion
    vehicles, and shallow draft \"air boats.\" All rescue craft may have
    advantages and disadvantages. For example, water jet drive boats
    operate well in shallow water; but tend to intake floating debris.
    Amphibious and track vehicles may have some utility in swamp rescue
    operations.

**b. Use of Vehicles and Equipment.**

(1) **Conventional Boats.** These vessels are useful for transporting
    rescue personnel and equipment, deploying flotation equipment,
    picking up survivors, firefighting, securing the scene,
    communications, etc. Some boats are designed for and may be used in
    the same manner as rapid intervention vehicles in conventional
    aircraft rescue and fire fighting responses.

(2) **Amphibious Firefighting Vehicles.** An amphibious firefighting
    vehicle capable of

25 to 30 mph (40-48 kph) on land and 8 mph (13 kph) in water can be
useful for rough terrain, steep slopes, flooded areas, as well as for
permanent, significant bodies of water.

(3) **Rescue Boats.** These fiberglass or aluminum-hulled boats may have
    inboard or outboard engines capable of speeds up to 60 mph (95 kph).
    Some of the boats are designed to allow for the removal of a section
    of the hull (freeboard) to provide easy access into and out of the
    water. The boats can vary in length from 17 to over 40 feet (5--12
    m). Depending upon the size of the vessel, enclosed or at least
    sheltered accommodations may be available to protect survivors from
    the environment. It is important that the boat have easy access
    around most of the topsides to allow rescue personnel to deploy raft
    canisters or to assist survivors out of the water. Rescue boats
    should have 2 engines so if one becomes inoperable, the other
    becomes the back up.

(4) **Rafts/Flotation Platforms.** These platforms are simply large,
    inflatable rafts with netting draped over the side and all
    unnecessary equipment removed. They provide a highly buoyant means
    of keeping 10 to 45 people afloat until rescue craft arrive. The
    platforms should be provided with appropriate fittings to allow safe
    towing to shore. Care should be taken in attempting to tow
    aviation-type rafts because of their design. Rescue personnel will
    need to practice assisting victims into the platform because victims
    may be unable to board the platforms unassisted. Consideration
    should be given to deploying sufficient inflatable platforms.

(5) **Inflatable Boats.** Normally, these boats are very shallow draft
    vessels. They may be a rigid or a true inflatable boat with a
    diesel/gasoline powered propeller and/or water jet propulsion
    capable of traveling 30 to 50 mph (48--80 kph). Boats of 22 to 28
    feet (6.6--8.5 m) will accommodate approximately 15 people.
    Inflatable boats provide the best ratio of vessel weight to
    passenger capacity. They can be swamped and still support survivors.
    Consideration should be given to deploying sufficient inflatable
    boats.

(6) **Shallow Draft \"Air Boat.\"** These boats can be 7 to 8 feet wide
    (2.1--2.4 m) and 13 to 20 feet long (3.8--6 m) and are propelled by
    aircraft or auto engines driving aircraft-like propellers. Larger
    models can carry approximately 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) of people
    and/or water rescue and medical equipment. They can operate at
    speeds up to 50 mph (80 kph) in extremely shallow water, tidal
    flats, marshes, and snow. Shallow draft airboats, however, will sink
    if swamped. Also, these boats cannot go in reverse and never can be
    fully stopped.

(7) **Air Cushion Vehicles or \"Hovercraft.\"** Rescue personnel can use
    hovercraft in the same manner as conventional boats. In addition,
    the hovercraft is an amphibious vehicle that can be used on ground,
    water, mud and any kind of service /and or floating obstacle. Larger
    models can carry 18 survivors. These vessels will usually have a
    higher response speed in calm waters. They are especially useful in
    very shallow water as well as on mud flats. However they can push
    jet fuel out from the vessel, which can cause an explosive mixture.

(8) **Helicopters.** Helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft in some cases,
    are most useful for transporting and deploying rescue personnel and
    equipment because they are faster than any surface vehicle. They are
    particularly useful for shuttling additional personnel and equipment
    to the scene providing weather conditions are acceptable.
    Helicopters can also act as a light source and assist communications
    and secondary command post activities. Helicopters with infra-red
    capability can be particular useful for night activities. However,
    they can disorient and frighten survivors in the water because of
    rotor noise and downwash, which can cause debris to become airborne.
    Helicopter operations in narrow rivers may be constrained by
    obstructions, trees, bridges, power lines, etc. If helicopters are
    to be used in water rescue operations, functions they can safely
    perform should be determined early in the planning process. Planners
    should not rely solely on helicopters for rescuing survivors.

(9) **Other Equipment that Should Be Available.** Area maps and
    navigation charts, bailing buckets, water pumps, blankets, bull
    horns, communications equipment, emergency lights, flares, forcible
    entry tools, marine night vision binoculars, life rafts (with oars
    or paddles), medical kits, navigational equipment, portable
    resuscitation equipment, portable 500-watt or greater floodlights,
    rescue nets, stretchers/litters, rescue throwing bags, and anchors
    should be available and readily accessible.

**c. Specific Applications.**

(1) **Oceans or Large Lakes.** Coastal airport operators or their
    primary response agencies should consider boats to be their primary
    response vehicles. Helicopters that can be dispatched by the airport
    or secured from other agencies for the transportation of rescue
    personnel and/or flotation equipment are also of prime importance.
    Such airport operators should consider a fast boat capable of
    carrying the appropriate amount of flotation gear, plus having some
    firefighting capability and also a larger boat capable of taking
    survivors on board and providing other support such as medical,
    communications, etc.

(2) **Inland Waters.** Boats, inflatable, and/or air cushion vehicles
    may be the primary response vehicle at airports located adjacent to
    rivers and small lakes. Boats of appropriate size and capability
    should be available for immediate response. Airport operators should
    consider a relatively small, fast boat(s) capable of carrying the
    appropriate amount of flotation gear, plus having some firefighting
    capability and also a larger boat capable of taking survivors on
    board and providing other support such as medical, communications,
    etc.

(3) **Wetlands/Swamps.** Water rescue operations in swamps may call for
    shallow draft boats, \"air boats,\" air cushion vehicles,
    helicopters, various track vehicles, and \"high flotation\" and/or
    amphibious vehicles. The swamp should be traversed or examined by
    air prior to selecting the appropriate rescue equipment.

### EQUIPMENT SOURCES. A partial list of sources for equipment related to water rescue is given below. This list is not represented to be complete nor does it indicate the only sources for such equipment. It is provided only as starting point information for emergency preparedness officials and does not represent an endorsement by the FAA. The information was current on the date of publication of this advisory circular. 

**Boston Whaler Commercial and Government Products, Inc.**

420 Megan Z. Avenue

Edgewater, FL 32132

Website:
[**http://www.whaler.com/cgp/default**](http://www.whaler.com/cgp/default)

###  {#section .Paragraph}

Federal Non-Military, State, County and Municipal

> AZ, CA, ID, KS, MO, ND, NE, NM,
>
> NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY
>
> Contact: Jeff Gayer
>
> Ph: 386-423-2916
>
> Fax: 386-423-9187
>
> E-mail: **jgayer@whaler.com**
>
> AL, AR, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA,
>
> ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ,
>
> NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VI, WV, VT, WI
>
> Contact: Jeremy Davis
>
> Ph: 386-423-2914
>
> Fax: 386-423-9187
>
> E-mail: **jdavis@whaler.com**
>
> FL
>
> Contact: Dana White
>
> Ph: 386-423-2917
>
> Fax: 386-423-9187
>
> E-mail: **dana.white@whaler.com**

**Griffon Hovercraft Ltd.**

P.O. Box 7

Sarisbury Green

Southampton

SO31 8YS

UK

Ph: +44-23-8040-3547

Fax: +44-23-8040-6747

E-mail: **sales@griffonhovercraft.com**

Website:
[**http://www.griffonhovercraft.com**](http://www.griffonhovercraft.com/)

###### Avon Marine

Dafen, Llanelli

Carmarthenshire

SA14 8NA

UK

E-mail:
[**info-avon@avon-inflatable.com**](mailto:info-avon@avon-inflatable.com)

Website:
[**http://www.avoninflatables.co.uk/page/fs_us_dealers**](http://www.avoninflatables.co.uk/page/fs_us_dealers)

**Willard Marine, Inc.**

1250 N. Grove St.

Anaheim, CA 92806

Ph: 714-666-2150

Fax: 714-632-8136

Website: [**http://willardmarine.com**](http://willardmarine.com/)

**Zodiac of North America**.

540 Thompson Creek Road

Stevensville, MD 21666

Ph: 410-643-4141

Fax: 410-643-4491

Website:
[**http://www.zodiacmarineusa.com**](http://www.zodiacmarineusa.com/)

**MARSARS Water Rescue Systems**

155 Myrtle Street

Shelton, CT 06484

Ph: 866-426-2423 (toll free)

Fax: 203-924-4198

E-Mail: [**robert.davis02@snet.net**](mailto:robert.davis02@snet.net)

Website: [**http://www.marsars.com**](http://www.marsars.com/)

**ZUMRO®, Inc.**

### P.O. Box 696  {#p.o.-box-696 .Paragraph}

Hatboro, PA 19040

Ph: 800-932-6003 (toll free)

Fax: 215-957-6501

E-mail:  [**info@zumro.com**](mailto:info@zumro.com)

Website:
[**http://www.zumro.com/zumro%20dive%20thru%20rescue%20boats.html**](http://www.zumro.com/zumro dive thru rescue boats.html)

### UNITED STATES COAST GUARD RESCUE COORDINATION CENTERS

1\. Go to the [USCG Home Page](http://www.uscg.mil/), Website address:
[http://www.uscg.mil/USCG.shtm](http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/g-opr/contacts.htm#RCCs).

2\. Search the Coast Guard website for: USCG Rescue Coordination
Centers.

### 3. The results of your query should provide you with a link for USGC [Points of Contact](http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/g-opr/contacts.htm). {#the-results-of-your-query-should-provide-you-with-a-link-for-usgc-points-of-contact. .Paragraph}

### 4. Click on [Points of Contact](http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/g-opr/contacts.htm) link for the USCG regional centers 24-hour contacts for emergencies. {#click-on-points-of-contact-link-for-the-uscg-regional-centers-24-hour-contacts-for-emergencies. .Paragraph}