International Civil Aviation Organization APSARWG/2 IP/05 Second Meeting of the Asia/Pacific Regional Search and Rescue Working Group (APSARWG/2) Bangkok, Thailand, 30 May 01 June 2017 Agenda Item 4: Asia/Pacific and Inter-Regional SAR Planning, Coordination and Cooperation JOINT SAR OPERATIONS (GOVERNMENT & PRIVATE SECTOR) OFFSHORE HELICOPTER OPERATIONS (Presented by MALAYSIA) SUMMARY This paper highlights the cooperation between the Department Civil Aviation Malaysia as the National Aeronautical SAR Authority with the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry on Joint SAR Operations for Offshore Helicopter Operations, titled KIJAL RESOLUTION 2016 during a Joint SAREX Workshop that was held in October 2016. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 With large numbers of offshore personnel being transported to and from Oil and Gas (O&G) Platforms yearly, the necessity to plan strategies for contingencies for these operations has become imperative. The National SAR Committee acknowledges the importance of these O&G Platforms and their contribution towards the nation s development and economy. 1.2 Currently guidelines for National SAR Agencies, Airport Operators, O&G Operators and O&G Air Operators for search and rescue operations within controlled and uncontrolled airspace are not clearly defined in order to have a systematic and efficient SAR operation in Malaysia. 1.3 Nevertheless the Department Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCAM) has collaborated with O&G Air Operators and O&G Operators to conduct SAREXs for Offshore Helicopter Operations. The following are some of the SAREXs conducted: a) SAREX Kenyalang 1/2013, Level II (Dialogue); 18-19 November 2013, Miri, Sarawak; b) SAREX Kenyalang 1/2015, Level II (Role-Play); 20-21 May 2015, Miri, Sarawak; and c) SAREX Kenyalang 2/2016, Level II (Dialogue); 23-24 May 2016, Miri, Sarawak. 1.4 DCAM, as the National Aeronautical SAR Authority in Malaysia intended to formalize a Joint SAR Operations understanding between DCAM and the O&G Air Operators for their offshore helicopter operations. This is to ensure that any SAR operation can be promptly initiated and executed; effectively utilizing SAR resources made available by the various Government agencies and private entities.
2. DISCUSSION APSARWG/2 IP/05 JOINT SAREX WORKSHOP 2016: OFFSHORE HELICOPTER OPERATIONS 2.1 The Joint SAREX Workshop 2016: Offshore Helicopter Operations, was organized by Weststar Aviation Services and co-hosted by DCAM to identify and clarify the roles and responsibilities of all parties, commencing from an initial SAR operation to Joint SAR Operations with an emphasis on command and control, coordination and communications between Government and private entities. 2.2 The SAREX was held from 18 th to 20 th October 2016 at the Resort World Kijal, Terengganu with a total of 91 participants from: a) National SAR Agencies: DCAM and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA); b) Airport Operators: Malaysia Airport Sdn. Bhd. (MASB) and Kerteh Airport; c) Oil & Gas Air Operator: Weststar Aviation Services Sdn. Bhd. (WAS); and d) Oil & Gas Operators: Petrofac (M) Ltd. (Petrofac), Carigali Hess Operating Company Sdn. Bhd. (Carigali HESS), Carigali-PTTEPI Operating Company Sdn. Bhd. (CPOC), SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad (SapuraKencana), Hess Oil & Gas Sdn. Bhd (HESS), Repsol Oil & Gas Malaysia Limited (REPSOL), EQ Petroleum Production Malaysia Ltd (EnQuest), Vestigo Petroleum Sdn. Bhd. (VESTIGO) and Shell Malaysia Berhad (Shell Malaysia). DAY-1 SAREX Figure 1: Joint SAREX Workshop 2016 participants 2.3 Day One commenced with briefings from stakeholders on their roles and responsibilities, which included a review of their SOP s to enabled participants to have a better understanding on every unit s responsibility. 2.4 The briefing covered: a) Aeronautical Search and Rescue by Aeronautical SAR, DCAM Headquarters; 2
b) Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) by Kuala Lumpur ARCC, DCAM; c) Maritime Search and Rescue by MMEA; d) Airport Emergency Procedure (AEP) & Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) by MASB, Kota Bharu; e) Role of Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) for O&G Operators by PetroFac and Shell Malaysia; and f) Role of ECC for O&G Air Operator by WAS. 2.5 WAS identified 17 gaps which could be further improved, or where procedures had to be reviewed. This was agreed and accepted by all stakeholders during the post briefing session on Day One. DAY-2 SAREX 2.6 DCAM and WAS personnel facilitated the SAREX using a level II, Dialogue platform. The participants from National SAR Agencies, Airport Operators, O&G Operators and O&G Air Operator were given the opportunity to role play main and supporting roles. The scenarios played were: a) An aircraft crash within the Airport Perimeter Fencing; b) An aircraft crash at 6km from the Aerodrome Reference Point (ARP); c) An aircraft crash within Uncontrolled Airspace (Sea); and d) A what if scenario involving Cross Border Operations Helicopter Operation and Joint SAR Operations with Brunei. Figure 2 : Briefing on how the SAREX Dialogue would be conducted 3
Figure 3, 4, 5 & 6 : SAREX Dialogue in progress DAY-3 SAREX 2.7 A debrief session was conducted on the third day, and among others, addressed the gaps that were identified earlier. Figure 7 : Debrief session addressing the gaps. 4
2.8 The workshop concluded with the adoption of the KIJAL RESOLUTION 2016 consisting of ten (10) agreed statements which would represent the coordination procedures / guidelines between the National Lead SAR Agencies (Government), Private O&G Air Operators and O&G Operators in managing Joint Aeronautical SAR Operations for offshore helicopter operations. Figure 8 & 9 : Signing ceremony of KIJAL RESOLUTION 2016 2.9 Contents of the KIJAL RESOLUTION 2016 are as follows: STATEMENT 1: 1.1 MASB staff will notify Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) members, O&G Air Operators in accordance with established Airport Emergency Procedures (AEP). 1.2 O&G Air Operators will update all their relevant contacts to the respective Airport Operators. STATEMENT 2: 2.1 Under the cooperation of Joint SAR Operations; DCA Malaysia and the O&G Air Operators, the initial SAR operation would be conducted by the respective O&G Air Operator. The overall SAR operations will be led by DCA Malaysia. STATEMENT 3: 3.1 Under the Joint SAR operations the O&G Air Operators through the Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) shall coordinate and lead the initial SAR operations. The ECC will be assisted by DCA personnel and the respective O&G Operator in order to conduct a safe and coordinated SAR operation. The O&G Air Operator will also send a Liaison Officer (LO) to the respective ARCC / ARSC. STATEMENT 4: 4.1 O&G Air operators shall recognize the elements stated in DCA-Safety-001 Form and shall adopt the relevant information into their procedures. STATEMENT 5: 5.1 Once National SRUs have been deployed, DCA ARCC / ARSC shall be the overall commander of the Joint SAR operations. STATEMENT 6: 5
6.1 DCA shall guide O&G Air Operator s Radio Operators should there be any incident / accident involving SAR activities. STATEMENT 7: 7.1 DCA shall notify O&G Air Operators if the Incident / Accident occurs within Controlled Airspace. 7.2 O&G Air Operators shall notify DCA if the Incident / Accident occurs within Uncontrolled Airspace. STATEMENT 8: 8.1 During the initial SAR Operations, air assets will be coordinated and deployed by O&G Air Operators. 8.2 Marine assets shall be coordinated and deployed by O&G Operators, and this information shall be passed to the O&G Air Operator ECC. STATEMENT 9: 9.1 O&G Air Operators should demonstrate their commitment and responsibility by deploying any assets within the operation area to conduct initial Search Operations. STATEMENT 10: 10.1 Radio Operators from the O&G Air Operators may contact the relevant DCA unit to verify status / location of their aircraft, should there be any discrepancy based on their aircraft tracking system (Skytrac). 2.10 All parties agreed in principal to adopt and adhere to the 10 statements should SAR operations be activated. These terms of reference shall be reviewed by the authorities and amendments made should there be a necessity. 2.11 KIJAL RESOLUTION 2016 would provide the guidelines / protocol for immediate SAR response in the event of any emergency occurring within the offshore area. FOLLOW UP ACTION PLAN 2.12 Moving forward from KIJAL RESOLUTION 2016, DCAM will be seeking the support of stakeholders to sign MOU. 3. ACTION BY THE MEETING 3.1 The meeting is invited to: a) Note the information provided in this paper; and b) Consider the resolutions from this SAREX Level II exercise which could possibly be shared with other States and O&G Air Operators for mutual benefit. c) To discuss any relevant item of interest.. 6