Within the United States and its surrounding waters last year, the agency reported 8 February 2018, saying 186 were rescued from water, 15 from aviation incidents, and 74 were on land using personal locator beacons, or PLBs.
“NOAA satellites aren’t just for accurate weather forecasts; they play a direct role in saving lives.”
Since the program began in 1982, COSPAS-SARSAT has been credited with supporting more than 41,000 rescues worldwide, including more than 8,300 in the United States and its surrounding waters.
Read more here:
https://ohsonline.com/articles/2018/02/13/noaa-satellites.aspx?admgarea=news