PROCEDURES FOR PILOTS IN COMMAND AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT ~ Tauvictory "PERISAI"

1. When a pilot-in-command observes that either another aircraft or a surface craft is in distress, he shall, unless he is unable, or in the circumstances of the case considers it unreasonable or unnecessary:

keep in sight the craft in distress until such time as his presence is no longer necessary;
if his position is not known with certainty, take such action as will facilitate the determination of it;
report to the rescue coordination centre or air traffic services unit as much of the following information as possible: — type of craft in distress, its identification and condition; — its position, expressed in geographical coordinates or in distance and true bearing from a distinctive landmark or from a radio navigation aid; — time of observation expressed in hours and minutes Coordinated Universal Time (UTC); — number of persons observed; — whether persons have been seen to abandon the craft in distress; — number of persons observed to be afloat; — apparent physical condition of survivor
act as instructed by the rescue coordination centre or the air traffic services unit. If the first aircraft to reach the scene of an accident is not a search and rescue aircraft it shall take charge of on-scene activities of all other aircraft subsequently arriving until the first search and rescue aircraft reaches the scene of the accident. If, in the meantime, such aircraft is unable to establish communication with the appropriate rescue coordination centre or air traffic services unit, it shall, by mutual agreement, hand over to an aircraft capable of establishing and maintaining such communications until the arrival of the first search and rescue aircraft.

2. When it is necessary for an aircraft to direct a surface craft to the place where an aircraft or surface craft is in distress, the aircraft shall do so by transmitting precise instructions by any means at its disposal. If no radio communication can be established the aircraft shall use the appropriate signal in the Appendix.

3. When it is necessary for an aircraft to convey information to survivors or surface rescue units, and two-way communication its not available, it shall, if practicable, drop communication equipment that would enable direct contact to be established, or convey the information by dropping the message.

4. When a ground signal has been displayed, the aircraft shall indicate whether the signal has been understood or not by the means described in 5.8.3 or, if this is not practicable, by use of the appropriate signal in the Appendix.