Thus begins the count down to ISAR (Briefing Day is Sept 29th in Halifax) I wasn´t sure what date to actually count down to at first - we leave BC on the 27th, the first briefing is on the 29th, but the competition starts on the 30th...

I chose the 29th because it´s going to feel like we have actually started at that point.

Today I´m still working to compile information on Damage control and working to get more information about Search Planning. In general, for thouse outside ´the know´ when a SAR resource is tasked to conduct a search it is usually JRCC (The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre) that specifies the CSP (Commence Search Point) the type of search, and the track spacing for that search. They use computer models for drift and traget visibility based on current conditions to computer the optimal pattern and specing. In the case of ISAR it sounds like we will be asked to do this part. Granted it will probably a simplified model - but since it´s not something we normally do, I thought it best to start researching it a bit. Our CCGA crew manual just says that JRCC will provide it - so I´ve had to look elsewhere...

I found tons of information about this in the CCG SAR Seamanship manual (ISAR Handbook having quoted another chapter in this document as study material for our marlinespike event) and printed off about 80 pages of SAR info from that document - now I have to sift through it.

Kellei and I have been practising splicing (eye, back, and short) as well as knots (which is not something I, personally, am too worried about) I still want to review the long splice and see if I can dig up a few more knots for possible scenerios they may throw at us.

Last night one of the team put me in touch with a US Navy Damage Control expert with 25years+ of experience and he provided a wealth of information I can pass along to the team in that dept.

Finally we are getting our uniform shirts dry-cleaned and prepped for packing as well...

Sound like a lot? it is - and somehow I´m trying to get work done at the same time - weeeee...

(still smiling though)

I have known you for a while now Scott and I know that if there is anyone that could possibly be prepared for a task such as this it would be you. Not only that you would make sure that any others that you knew that were doing the same undertaking were as prepared as you. Even so I will say good luck to you and your crew and I wait to hear the results of your training/competition!