Early next month I’m flying a C182 with a ferry pilot, VFR, from Polokwane, S.Africa (FAPP), via Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania to Nairobi (Wilson). I’m interested in Search and Rescue options.
En route we’ll have a couple of PLBs (406 and 121.5), a Garmin InReach (satellite-messaging + SOS), plus mobile ‘phones and a portable VHF transceiver. The aircraft will have a Kannad Integra 406 to be fitted in Kenya (ELT mandatory);
Let’s say we have a forced landing in a deserted area of Malawi (an hour before sunset; no injuries, no mobile ‘phone coverage, no VHF comms before landing (even with overflying aircraft), no obvious habitation nearby, though interesting nearby animal activity.
We trigger off our PLBs – what happens? Distress signal to the COSPAS-SARSAT search and rescue system. After checking with our listed contacts that it’s genuine – what happens? I’m curious.
Our mobile phones are useless.
Portable VHF running out of gas, and no overhead passers-by for relay.
Garmin InReach SOS goes to GEOS SAR Program (“this can insulate you from significant financial impact by providing additional search and rescue resources that may be necessary to aid in your rescue. These resources may not be readily available to local responders [including specialised personnel, special vehicles and equipment]. The benefit gives you access to up to $100k in any one year with a single incident limit of $50k. In some countries, there is a charge for SAR, or there may be no official agency willing or able to respond. The GEOS SAR benefit can help.
The GEOS program is available from other devices, and US$19/year for the $100k cover seems a bargain, but is it practical? For $200/year you get access to Worldwide Medical Evacuation (“you will be transported in a medically equipped and staffed aircraft from an incident location anywhere in the world to the nearest medical facility, and then to a hospital near to your home.) Limit $1.0M.
You have also got two-way comms via SMS to Mum and other interested parties. These may be more useful than GEOS.
I’m genuinely interested in kit choices for a successful outcome, and whether GEOS is a feasible or best choice for remote locations.
Other hardware and SAR options are available.
One way to mitigate the risks, especially those posed by our furry friends in these parts, is not to fly into the evening. Plan you flights during the daylight hours and into the early afternoon when said furries tend to snooze away in the shade somewhere. I somewhat doubt significant SAR capabilities in Zim and Malawi. Sounds like a great trip!
Inquire with the government/sar units of the mentioned countries, and, as a foreigner, with the applicable embassies to give them your itinerary and contact info.
I was in a fairly remote part non developed country once and made sure I had very good insurance (most policies cover high sums for medical costs, but only 10.000€ for search/extraction — which is peanuts).
If no „public“ options available: There are service providers that will rescue you, even if it means bribing a military helicopter pilot to fly ;)
Sounds like a great trip! Wish you well!
Thanks for the comments, guys.
GEOS have replied to a couple of my questions regarding their basic $19/year cover:
In a remote location perhaps without an airstrip, do you cover the cost of a helicopter to try and locate us? -
“Yes, we cover the cost of what is deemed necessary to perform the rescue if that is by boat, helicopter, etc.. As long as it is coordinated by our response team (IERCC)”.Do you cover the cost of SAR and any engineering assistance? It may be a relatively straightforward problem (lack of fuel? electrical problem?) for us to fly out. -
“Yes, our IERCC (International Emergency Response Coordination Center) would correspond with the appropriate team to help with that specific incident. The only stipulation is the memberships will only provide coverage for coordination of the response team, it will not cover what is needed to complete repair”.
Further answers from their ops team to follow.
