International Cooperation on Search and Rescue in the Arctic

Abstract

SAR in the Arctic is a complex and dynamic cross-disciplinary activity that requires the combined effort of multiple actors with specialized human and technical resources. Due to limited resources and infrastructure in the Arctic, international cooperation is particularly important. This article applies a conceptual framework drawn from regime-theory to study SAR cooperation in the Arctic. More specifically, we apply the three dimensions of regime effectiveness (outputs, outcomes and impacts) to examine the regimes established by the 2011 Arctic SAR Agreement and the 1995 Barents SAR Agreement. The study addresses the rights and duties established by the regimes and their institutional arrangements for cooperation. Further, it investigates the importance of operational cooperation among response agencies in understanding the development and effectiveness of the regimes. The study concludes that the Arctic SAR regime is still under implementation. The agreement has entered into force but a series of steps needs to be taken for the common SAR system to be operative. Consequently, the regime is in the early stages of development and any evaluations of its impact are premature. The parties have implemented the Barents SAR regime both formally and in practice. Though the regime is generally held to have a positive effect on cooperation between the parties, there is a range of challenges that raise questions regarding its capacity to provide for a coordinated and effective joint SAR operation. The study further concludes that treating regime effectiveness in terms of a causal link between output, outcome and impact should be done with caution. It also argues that the focus of regime theory on interest-based decision-making among regime parties should be supplemented by investigating the operative and informal aspects of cooperation.

Health risks, emergency preparedness and Norwegian-Russian cooperation on Svalbard. A systematic review

“…We use it to describe actions taken to prevent a crisis, while the term “emergency response” describes concrete actions taken when a crisis is emerging. Search and rescue (SAR) services refer to the immediate actions involving cooperating partners to rescue people from death or injury[ 16 ].…”

“…Such cooperation has, for instance, taken place between Alaska and Russia in fields such as emergency medicine, mental health and dental treatment [ 12–14 ]. In general, a rising awareness of similarities among Arctic actors has made pan-Arctic cooperation, also in health and emergency preparedness, possible through the development of international bodies such as the Arctic Council [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Canada’s and Russia’s Security and Defence Strategies in the Arctic: A Comparative Analysis

“…These investments also support the regional maritime and aeronautical SAR treaty, which assigns each country responsibility for its own sector of the Arctic. 60 Joint exercises, sharing of best practices, and regular communications between coast guards ensure that national agencies are prepared to deal with emergency situations efficiently and effectively. Given the dual-use assets associated with SAR, it also represents a convenient way out of an Arctic "security dilemma."…”

Arctic humanitarianism for post-disaster settlement and shelter

“…These challenges and opportunities include disasters and dealing with them (Duda, 2019; Milseki et al , 2018). Search-and-rescue in the northern latitudes has accepted the need for preparedness and speed (Sydnes et al , 2017), given that people caught outdoors without adequate equipment have limited survival prospects, especially in the winter (Gudmestad and Solberg, 2019). Weather at any time of year, though, can make survival difficult and can preclude prompt rescue attempts, especially considering the forces from the sea and the ever-drifting ice for non-land-based rescues.…”