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

232 Marine SRUs
Marine SRUs are usually most effective when combined with aircraft
SRUs for a coordinated air/surface search, where their long endurance
allows assignment as OSC, or when responding to nearby incidents where
search is not a major factor. They are most satisfactory for rescues
involving large numbers of survivors. A marine SRU may also be used to
escort or tow disabled surface craft, and for surface delivery of
supplies, equipment, and rescue or medical personnel to the distress
scene. While the SRU commander is the final judge of SRU capability for
each mission, SMCs should consider the following factors when using
marine craft as SRUs.
A. General Craft Types and Capabilities
1. SAR boats, 30 to 65 feet in length, are generally short range
and operate in sheltered or semi-sheltered waters, or for a
limited distance offshore in moderate sea and weather
conditions. Some are built to operate offshore in relatively
heavy seas.
2. SAR patrol boats, 80 to 110 feet in length, can operate at
distances farther offshore than SAR boats. Usually capable of
conducting visual and electronic searches, their average
search endurance is 3 days.
3. SAR vessels (ships) can participate in operations at
considerable distances from base. Their main advantages are
maneuverability and seaworthiness, range, speed,
communications, and space for a large number of survivors and
equipment. Coast Guard cutters and Navy vessels make
excellent medium- and long-range SAR platforms.
4. Merchant vessels (M/Vs) can rendezvous with each other when
one has a doctor and the other
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