JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

721 Selection of a Safe Delivery Point
Selection of a delivery point is usually based on distance to the
distress scene and suitability for receiving survivors or accepting
delivery of a distressed craft. Generally, the closest safe delivery
point that the transporting RU can reach is selected.
A. Selection of emergency care points for survivors is made easier
by having safe delivery points preselected and plotted on the RCC
response chart. Many major metropolitan areas have disaster plans.
Many first aid stations, clinics, private hospitals, city/county
hospitals, and emergency medical care centers are available, but they
vary in capacity to handle survivors.
B. Suitability of airports for escorted aircraft involves
consideration of runway length, approach and landing aids, availability
of adequate crash/rescue equipment, and weather. Normally, the first
suitable airport along the aircraft route or within a reasonable
distance is selected as the safe delivery point. If the suitability of
an airport is in question, the pilot-in-command or the unit's parent
organization should be consulted. If an escorted aircraft indicates
that it does not desire to land at the nearest safe airport, the
aircraft may be advised that their situation is not severe enough to
require and escort. Unless the aircraft diverts to the nearest safe
airport, normally SAR system response ends and the escort service is
withdrawn.
C. For missions involving emergency services, such as towing or
escort of marine craft,normal procedure is to deliver the disabled craft
to the nearest safe harbor in which emergency repairs can be made, or to
an available commercial towing service. SAR system response to vessels
being towed or escorted ends when they are safely delivered. Harbors
should have sufficient depth to receive both the SAR vessel and the
disabled craft, and should be protected from the elements so that, upon
delivery, the SRU can depart without expecting a further emergency to
develop. If the disabled craft declines delivery to a safe harbor, the
SRU should withdraw assistance to avoid delay in resuming readiness for
another mission. The disabled craft should be advised of the reason for
SAR service termination.
D. If the number of survivors is large, it may be necessary to
establish a temporary safe delivery point for intermediate handling of
survivors. In major aircraft or marine disasters a short distance
offshore, survivors might be transported to a suitable nearby landing
area where a temporary emergency care center could be established. The
survivors should be processed, provided with emergency care, and
transported to a permanently established emergency care center. By
using a temporary delivery point, a large number of survivors can be
evacuated quickly from an immediate hostile environment, and secondary
SAR facilities, such as local police and ambulance services, can then
transfer survivors to medical care centers.
722 Selection of a Rescue Unit (RU)