Maritime Search and Rescue Trainings 

Learn how to coordinate Search and Rescue Missions for persons or vessels in distress.

  • Immediate response to MOB
  • Coordinate SAR Missions on your own
  • In a 360° Shiphandling Simulator

Start your training today to save others tomorrow.

Our Aim: Increasing your skills

Around 80% of goods are transported nowadays by ships around the world. Not to mention the millions of sailing and pleasure crafts which sail through the oceans of the world on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, that also means that accidents and distresses occur and will continue to do so in the future. They can happen anywhere and are, most likely, when trained personnel like coast guards are many hours away. 

Which is why visiomare made it its aim to train all Seafarers, Masters, Deck-, Navy-, and Coast Guards alike to perform search and rescue skills on their own when needed.

our Courses

OSC Advanced

OSC Refresher

OSC Basic + Advanced

Who benefits from our search & rescue trainings and our OSC trainings?

SAR Professionals

Professional SAR personnel

Search and Rescue (SAR) training is often a requirement for professionals who work in the field of SAR. This training helps them to perform their duties safely and effectively.

Maritime Professionals trained by our OSC Training

Maritime professionals

Sea pilots, customs, deck officers/ masters and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Personnel are maritime professionals who often come into contact with search and rescue (SAR), even though it is not part of their daily routine. We aim to prepare them to perform in a distress situation and provide professional assistance.

Military Personnel

Military personnel

Military personnel may benefit from search and rescue (SAR) trainings, as they may be called upon to assist with ongoing SAR operations in various locations around the world. 

First Responders

First responders

First responders, such as firefighters, water police, police and emergency medical personnel, can benefit from search and rescue (SAR) training. It can help them to better understand the challenges and responsibilities associated with SAR operations, and to respond more effectively to incidents involving persons and ships in distress.

Sailors participating in SAR

Sailors

Sailors are often contacted by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) to assist them in search and rescue activities. Through proper SAR training, sailors will be able to understand and execute orders given by professional SAR personnel. This can benefit them in two ways, it will make the communication with the maritime rescue coordination center easier, and it can even benefit them if they are in distress themselves. 

On-Scene Coordinator

On-Scene Coordinator Role | Training

An on-scene coordinator (OSC) is the person who is responsible for coordinating a search and rescue (SAR) operation at the scene of an incident. It takes knowledge and practical experience to handle the task of on scene coordinator. In order to be able to perform excellently within a search and rescue mission, the OSC position must be trained continuously. Only with well-trained staff, will the OSC be able to ensure the success of a mission.

On Scene Coordinator courses are in compliance and based on the IMO Model Course 3.15
IMO Compliant

Our On Scene Coordinator courses fully comply with IMO Model Course 3.15 and the IAMSAR Manual Vol. III. We offer both Basic and Advanced levels, ensuring you meet all compliance requirements. 

On Scene Coordinator Training
OSC Training

Our courses provide professional SAR-training. We ensure you're well-prepared through comprehensive search and rescue courses, including practical experience with simulator training.

Responsible for all SAR Units & Facilities
Our Simulator 

We use a state-of-the-art 360° ship handling simulator from MTC Hamburg. This immersive tool allows participants to experience coordinating an emergency in a realistic and engaging environment.

Course Benefits

Our courses comply with the IMO Model Course 3.15: SAR On-Scene Coordinator

OSC Training improved safety
Improved Safety

Our OSC Trainings improve the safety of seafarers by providing them with the knowledge and skills to effectively respond to distress situations. By training how to sail specific search patterns, crew members are able to cover a larger area more efficiently, increasing the chances of finding a person who has gone overboard or a ship in distress. Furthermore, being well-trained in Search and Rescue measures, will enable seafarers to communicate efficiently with other ships in the vicinity or with the maritime rescue coordination center (MRCC). These skills will ultimately increase the chances of survival for the person who has gone over board or the vessel which is awaiting assistance.

On Scene Coordinator courses are in compliance and based on the IMO Model Course 3.15
Legal compliance

Completing these SAR On Scene Coordinator courses will ensure that you and your organization are in compliance with current maritime law. The SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention „… obligated shipmasters to proceed with all speed to the assistance of persons in distress at sea …“. Furthermore ships in compliance with the SOLAS Convention are obligated to carry the the IAMSAR (International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue) Manual Volume 3 on board. The IAMSAR Manual Vol 3, describes the standard search and rescue procedures and duties which will be discussed and trained within our On Scene Coordinator course.

Gain enhanced skills through our OSC Training
Enhanced Skills

Our Training helps individuals develop a wide range of skills and knowledge specific to Search and Rescue techniques such as, ability to sail search patterns, organizing and tasking units and/or facilities, developing a communication plan and initiating immediate actions.


These skills can be valuable in a variety of situations, but are absolutely crucial during SAR operations.

By our Training you Gain better Preparedness
Better Preparedness

Participants which have completed our training will be better prepared to handle the position of an on scene coordinator.

This improved ability to lead and to coordinate such an important mission can lead to better outcomes for those in need of assistance and can help to reduce the risk of loss of life at sea.

Why train with us?

What we provide is unique to you. We have the experience of our trainers who worked not only on ships as an officer but also spent years as an Officer in an MRCC. 

Our Team can provide you with hands on knowledge of the procedures suited for your vessels because we sailed them and know what will lead to a successful mission and what will not. 

We believe that through knowledge, experience and training, any emergency can be coordinated and turned into a successful one.

As a team, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all sailors on the sea.

Faq

What is search and rescue training?

Search and rescue training is a type of training that prepares individuals to locate and rescue people who are lost or in distress. This type of training may be provided to volunteers, professionals, or both, and may cover a wide range of topics, coordination of resources, communication, drift factors, search patterns, and more.

Who can benefit from search and rescue trainings?

Professional SAR personnel: Search and Rescue (SAR) training is often a requirement for professionals who work in the field of SAR. This training helps them to perform their duties safely and effectively.

Maritime professionals: Sea pilots, customs, deck officers/ masters and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Personell are maritime professionals who often come into contact with search and rescue (SAR), even though it is not part of their daily routine. We aim to prepare them to perform in a distress situation and provide professional assistance.

Military personnel: Military personnel may benefit from search and rescue (SAR) trainings, as they may be called upon to assist with ongoing SAR operations in various locations around the world.

First responders: First responders, such as firefighters, water police, police and emergency medical personnel, can benefit from search and rescue (SAR) training. It can help them to better understand the challenges and responsibilities associated with SAR operations, and to respond more effectively to incidents involving persons and ships in distress.

Sailors: sailors are often contacted by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) to assist them in search and rescue activities. Through proper SAR training, sailors will be able to understand and execute orders given by professional SAR personell. This can benefit them in two ways, it will make the communication with the maritime rescue coordination center easier and it can even benefit them if they are in distress themselves.

What is an On Scene Coordinator (OSC)?

An on-scene coordinator (OSC) is a person who is responsible for managing and coordinating search and rescue (SAR) operations at the scene of an incident. They are responsible for coordinating the efforts of all on scene SAR personnel as well as all other resources available. They are obliged to keep their Maritime Rescue Coordination Center informed and receive orders from them to be executed.

How do you train the role of an on scene coordinator?

There are a number of ways to train for the role of on-scene coordinator (OSC) in search and rescue (SAR) operations.
Here are some general steps that may be involved in training for this role:

1. Complete OSC Basic Course: In order to become an OSC, you will typically need to complete a basic SAR training course. This may include training in topics such as coordination of resources, execution the rescue plan, monitoring of units, communication, and search patterns. Having completed the theoretical part of the OSC basic course you then have the opportunity to transfer that knowledge into skills through training in our simulator. In the simulator we will start with scenarios where the participants can practice search patterns and organizing units into parallel courses. Gradually increasing the tasks for the On Scene Coordinator to prepare them for the reality.

2. Complete the OSC Advanced Course: After having completed the OSC basic course it is advised to complete the advanced course. This may include training in command and control of units, crew resource management, problems for an SOC arising from a complex SAR Missions and how to cope, and more. We will round up the training by implementing these topics in the scenarios of the simulator training.

3. Refresh the learned skills: The role of OSC is a dynamic and challenging one, and it is important to continue learning and growing as an OSC. This may include participating and refreshing the OSC training and development opportunities to stay up-to-date on best practices and new techniques.

What is the IMO Model Course 3.15?

The IMO model course for search and rescue On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) is intended for those who may be tasked with the duties and responsibilities of an OSC during a search and rescue incident. This course helps to ensure that states meet their obligations under international conventions, including the Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), by providing knowledge and training to OSCs.

Based on the content of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual Vol.III, this course is intended to provide an introduction to the organization of a maritime search and rescue (SAR) service in general and train the specific functions and tasks of the On-Scene Coordinator. It provides an overview on the SAR system as laid down in the above mentioned relevant conventions and the three volumes of the IAMSAR Manual. The course cover the coordination of SAR operations, initial action by assisting craft, search and rescue functions, on-scene coordination and on board emergencies.

What is the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual?

The IAMSAR Manual is a comprehensive guide to organizing and providing search and rescue (SAR) services in both the aviation and maritime sectors. It is jointly published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The manual is divided into three volumes, each of which can be used independently or in conjunction with the other volumes to provide a full view of the SAR system.

Volume I of the IAMSAR Manual, entitled "Organization and Management," covers the global SAR system concept, the establishment and improvement of national and regional SAR systems, and cooperation with neighboring states to provide effective and economical SAR services.

Volume II, "Mission Coordination," is intended for personnel who plan and coordinate SAR operations and exercises.

Volume III, "Mobile Facilities," is designed to be carried on board rescue units, aircrafts, and vessels to help with the performance of search, rescue, and on-scene coordinator functions, as well as with aspects of SAR that relate to their own emergencies.

How to get into contact | Where we are

Am Tabakquartier 62, 28197 Bremen, Germany

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