Category: System Overview

The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme welcomes Dr. Shefali Juneja, former representative of India to ICAO, as the new Head of Secretariat.

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She will have her inaugural meeting with the Programme at its Seventy-First Council session held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October.

Dr. Shefali Juneja is a former civil service professional with over three decades of experience in aviation, finance and governance.

She represented India on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council from 2019 to 2023.

In this capacity, she was instrumental in securing India’s strategic position on global aviation policies and leading the nation’s delegation in international aviation forums.

She served as Vice President of the Council and Chairperson of several important committees in ICAO, spearheading work on Innovation and Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System through location information provided by COSPAS-SARSAT Programme.

Immediately prior to joining COSPAS-SARSAT, she was selected for a special position in the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, as Principal Commissioner (2023-2024), where she was responsible for national fiscal policymaking.

She has also held various senior roles within the Indian aviation sector, including being on the Board of Directors of Air India.

Dr. Shefali’s diplomatic and leadership skills have established her as a key figure in international policymaking, particularly in areas such as international cooperation, enhancement of safety through satellite communications, and technology integration for global aviation safety.

She has represented India in various international organizations, including UNWTO, UNFCCC, the EU, ASEAN, and UNCTAD.

In recognition of her contributions to the aviation sector, she has received an ‘Excellence’ award from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.

She has a distinguished academic background with a Doctorate in history and MBA in Aviation Management, having further studied public policy and international air law at King’s College, London and McGill University, Canada, respectively.

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Summary of FMCC activity  – June 2024

Summary of FMCC activity  – July 2024

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CMCC Activity Report – August 2024

The walker was on a trail where another hiker’s remains had been found a month earlier.

Having foregone the navigation course, she had a harrowing night and felt unwell in the morning, but got turned around in trying to make her way back.

She put aside her ego and set off her 406 PLB.

Feeling “scared and overwhelmed”, she climbed the ridge and set off her beacon, with just a half cup of water remaining.

“Kudos to that lady for having one and being willing to use it,”

She was able to text family while waiting four hours for the helicopter, and was relieved when she realized they had indeed located her.

It was noted that walking in groups of three was ideal, but solo walkers had an “extra layer of responsibility” in their planning.

Read more here:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-04/lost-hiker-recued-from-larapinta-trail-by-helicopeter/104054916

Please click to access the:

CMCC Activity Report – June 2024

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 7 adults and one child Saturday after the 28-foot boat they were on capsized 36 miles west of Boca Grande, off the Southwest Florida coast.

According to the Coast Guard, the boaters sent a distress call reporting their boat was sinking and activated a 406 emergency position indicating radio beacon.

“The boaters in distress carried close to every piece of lifesaving equipment we encourage the public to carry onboard their vessel”.

“Life jackets, an EPIRB, a PLB, visual signaling devices and a marine grade radio with VHF-FM channel 16 improve our Coast Guard crews’ abilities to locate mariners in distress and increase the chances of a positive outcome to bring them safely home.”

Read more here: 
https://eu.naplesnews.com/story/news/2024/06/03/florida-boat-capsizes-coast-guard-rescue-boca-grande/73956469007/

Police faced a race against time to rescue two runners who were lost in Wellington region’s Tararua Forest Park in New Zealand on 28 May.

The pair were training on a 32km circuit when they lost their way, police said this morning.

“They were lightly equipped, and sub-zero temperatures were forecast for overnight, so time was of the essence in finding them,”

“The pair were flown out of the park before it began to rain after they were found sharing a survival blanket, cold and shivering.”

When venturing out this winter, Kiwis were urged to:

Choose the right trip, acknowledging your limits.

Understand the weather.

Pack warm clothes and extra food in case of an unexpected night out.

Stick with the group.

Tell someone else about your plans.

Take a distress beacon.

“Distress beacons can be hired for as little as $10 from many Department of Conservation Visitor Centres and outdoor tramping and hunting stores”.

“If you have purchased a beacon, make sure you register it.”

Read more here:
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/29/lost-runners-rescued-from-mountain-as-freezing-cold-closed-in/

The Coast Guard rescued a mariner Thursday night after his sailboat caught fire off the Eastern Shore.

According to the Coast Guard, watchstanders received a 406 beacon rescue alert from the 45-foot sailing vessel, at about 8:30 p.m.

Two helicopter crews launched out of Elizabeth City.

“Due to this mariner’s diligence to have an (406 EPIRB) on board his vessel, rescue crews were alerted to his distress and arrive(d) in a timely manner,”

Read more here:

https://www.dailypress.com/2024/05/24/coast-guard-rescues-man-after-boat-catches-fire-off-eastern-shore/ 

At first, the experienced hunter thought he had just rolled his ankle.

While out hunting deer during roar season, his right foot rolled off a log and into a dip, where it became jammed.

“I thought, something’s not right, because I could feel the bones crunching around in my leg. It wasn’t till I sat back on the log, and I noticed it was just flopping around that I thought, ‘Nah, it’s buggered’.”

After contacting his friend via his marine radio, the hunter and his friend activated their 406 beacons.

Read more here:
https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350289968/emergency-beacon-ensures-fast-help-hunter-freak-injury

A husband and wife were bogged on the Nullarbor in Australia for four days before they were rescued.

The couple had plenty of food, water and a 406 personal locator beacon, which they decided not to activate immediately.

Over three days the experienced bush drivers tried various ways of digging out their utility vehicle, but to no avail.

“We’ve been stuck before, but mainly in sandy country”.

He had purchased the 406 personal locator beacon years ago but had never had to use it.

“We started saving urine, thinking that in two or three or four days that we may need to use that, so, fortunately, we didn’t have to.”

“Things didn’t quite go to plan, and we learned a lot.”

Mr Jakeway said his 406 personal locator beacon had proven to be well worth the purchase.

“We bought that many years ago and it’s one of those things you buy that you hope you never have to use, but I’m very glad we had it there,” he said.

He reiterated the importance of informing friends and family of travel plans.

Read more here:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-14/couple-rescued-after-days-spent-bogged-on-nullarbor-track/103845130