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

accept that the search cannot continue indefinitely.
1020 REOPENING A SUSPENDED MISSION
If significant new information or clues are developed, reopening of
a suspended mission should be considered. Reopening without good reason
may lead to unneeded use of resources and risk of injury to searchers,
and possible inability to respond to other emergencies.
1030 EXTENDED SEARCH OPERATIONS
Some missions are continued beyond the time when they ordinarily
would be suspended because of lack of a reasonable probability of
locating survivors. Extended searches may be conducted due to
humanitarian considerations, number of persons involved, or a forecast
of greatly improved search conditions. Searching is inherently
dangerous, and SRUs should not be risked when potential for saving life
is minimal, or when their use may preclude their availability for other
missions. SRUs should not be hazarded in extended search operations to
the same degree as during normal search operations.
1040 SRU RETURN
SRUs are limited in the number of hours they can operate safely and
efficiently. The operating agencies and services providing the units
establish these limitations. When long missions are contemplated,
augmented or additional crews should be made available. A SAR mission
is not ended until the last SRU has returned to its operational base and
all participating agencies are de-alerted.
1041 SRU Use and Diversion
SMCs must consider the time required for SRU return to base,
refueling, maintenance, and replenishment, and remaining operating time
limitations, when projecting SRU capability to respond to another SAR
mission. When a mission involves extended large-scale search
operations, the SMC must account for crew and SRU availability.
Anticipating and planning for these time requirements can alleviate much
of the frustration caused by delays in SRU return to scene. The parent
agency should be able to provide an estimate of the time when an SRU
will be ready for another assignment. While an SRU would normally
return to its operational base, it could be diverted directly to another
SAR mission. If an SRU is diverted, or departs on a new mission, the
time of diversion should be recorded as the end of the first mission for
that SRU.
1042 SRU Debriefing
Debriefing of all participating SRU crews is desired. It should
occur as soon as possible after the sortie. Debriefing while a SAR
mission is still in progress may determine whether additional
information is available for the SMC. Furthermore, the SRU crew
reaction to instructions received, coordination and control support