Please select your home edition
Edition
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 LEADERBOARD

Satellites Rescue 353 in USA alone in 2007

by NOAA on 19 Jan 2008
The Process SW
'Don't leave home without your PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) but make sure it is a 406' - that's the message from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), whose satellites located 353 people for rescue organisations in 2007 - in the USA and its surrounding waters alone.

Armed with the PLB's to send a distress signal, the 353 people were rescued in the United States and its surrounding waters from potentially life-threatening emergencies. These signals were transmitted to rescue teams via a NOAA environmental satellite more commonly known for providing information to weather forecasters.

NOAA’s polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites, along with Russia’s Cospas spacecraft, are part of the high-tech, international Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System, called COSPAS-SARSAT. This system uses a network of satellites to quickly detect and locate distress signals from emergency beacons on board aircraft and boats and from handheld personal locator beacons (PLBs).

Now in its 25th year of operation, COSPAS-SARSAT has been credited with more than 22,000 rescues worldwide, including more than 5,700 in the United States and its surrounding waters.

“Each person rescued was a tragedy averted,” Mary Kicza, assistant administrator for NOAA's Satellite and Information Service. “This satellite-based rescue program is a key NOAA contribution to protecting American lives.”


SARSAT satellite.



When a satellite pinpoints a distress location within the United States, or its surrounding waters, the information is relayed to SARSAT Mission Control at NOAA’s Satellite Operations Center in Suitland, Md., and then sent to a Rescue Coordination Center, operated either by the U.S. Air Force, for land rescues, or U.S. Coast Guard, for water rescues.

Alaska and Florida recorded the most rescues in 2007 – 73 each. North Carolina was third with 16 rescues. Twenty-four states experienced a SARSAT rescue. Of the 353 rescues for 2007, 235 people were saved at sea, 30 were rescued from downed aircraft, and 88 were saved with help from their PLBs — the highest total since PLBs became operational nationwide in 2003. The total rescues in 2007 mark an increase from 272 the previous year.

“Anyone with plans to hike, or camp, in a remote area, where cell phone service is not reliable, or sail a boat far from shore, should not leave home without an emergency locator beacon, registered with NOAA,” said Chris O’Conners, acting program manager for NOAA SARSAT. He added the number of beacon registrations in 2007 climbed to 29,710 compared with 23,383 in 2006.

Urgency Noted in Changeover to 406 Frequency

Older emergency beacons, which operate on the 121.5 and 243 megahertz frequencies, will be phased out by early 2009, when 406 megahertz beacons will become the new standard. A key advantage of some the 406 megahertz beacons is they use Global Positioning System technology for instant detection, leading to faster rescues.

All of the rescues in 2007 from emergency locator transmitters carried on planes, used the older 121.5 MHz frequency. But beginning February 1, 2009, this 121.5 MHz signal will not be processed. “It’s critical that everyone gets the message now to make the switch to the 406 MHz beacons,” added O’Conners.

2007 SARSAT Rescue Highlights in the USA

Four people were rescued in Lake Michigan, when a powerful storm knocked out communications to their boat, which was running low on fuel.

Near Kanatak, Alaska, four people and a dog were pulled to safety from their sinking boat;

Three people were rescued after their raft capsized in the rough rapids of the Green River in northeast Utah.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hoisted three people from 70-foot high seas, after their boat sank 200 miles off the coast of North Carolina.

A 71-year-old hiker, too exhausted to continue his outdoor trek along the Pacific Crest Trail, was rescued in Wrightwood, Calif.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.

Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts, and protects.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350Rooster 2025Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTER

Related Articles

Yoann Richomme returns to Fastnet
Says Elodie Bonafous' is the boat to beat This weekend's biennial Rolex Fastnet Race - one of the oldest classics in sailing - sees the IMOCA Class return to the racetrack, with eight boats on the startline on Saturday for what is the second round of this year's IMOCA Globe Series Championship.
Posted today at 3:12 pm
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 6
Arguably the best female Freestyle final of all time Sarah-Quita Offringa pushed all the way by Maaike Huvermann in arguably the best female Freestyle final of all time, while Yentel Caers wins ‘Battle of Belgium' against Steven Van Broeckhoven to hold respective event leads.
Posted today at 11:48 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | D2 Inshore Racing Videos
One race and then it was all done. Very light and even a bit of liquid sunshine. One race and then it was all done. Very light and even a bit of liquid sunshine.
Posted today at 10:57 am
How to follow RORC Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
At present 451 yachts are entered, which, if all start on Saturday, will break the previous record. This year's centennial edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race will set sail this Saturday, 26 July from the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes, Isle of Wight, bound for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France.
Posted today at 10:30 am
WASZP Games 2025 Day 3
When racing got under way, it was a game of patience, persistence, and pressure-hunting Day 3 of the WASZP Games dawned with cautious optimism as the early risers in the boat park were greeted by a light but promising northerly breeze. However, an approaching front caused the race committee to call a three-hour postponement.
Posted today at 8:23 am
Masters Games in Canberra early bird entries
More than 200 sailors are expected to hit the waters of Lake Burley Griffin More than 200 sailors are expected to hit the waters of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra this October as part of the 2025 Australian Masters Games
Posted today at 6:52 am
Admiral's Cup Paul Wyeth Wednesday Photo Gallery
The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul still makes the action come alive The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul Wyeth still makes the action come alive with his photos. Here's his gallery from the racing on Wednesday in the 2025 Admiral's Cup.
Posted today at 5:26 am
Admiral's Cup PKC Media Wednesday Photo Gallery
Out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action Patrick Condy of PKC Media was out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action in the 2025 Admiral's Cup. Here are his selection of photos from the racing!
Posted today at 5:06 am
Admiral's Cup Ingrid Abery Wednesday Gallery
Up close and personal with the teams on a lighter wind day Thanks to her long lens and skill, Ingrid Abery got up close and personal with the Admiral's Cup teams on a lighter wind day in the Solent. Enjoy these crew photos, and many more in the gallery above!
Posted today at 4:46 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Day One Inshore Racing Pics
An excellent day's racing with good breeze. Day One of Inshore Racing at the 2025 Admiral's Cup was highlighted by good breeze.
Posted today at 1:09 am