Search and rescue in Greenland

JRCC Greenland is responsible for those in distress from aircraft and from ships (above, on or below sea level) regardless of whether the relief measures are carried out at sea, in the air or on land.

Joint Arctic Command's sea rescue responsibility covers all in-fiord and offshore sea rescue from Cape Farewell to 62°N on the east coast and from the southern headland at the entrance to Kong Oscars Fjord at 72°N on the east coast to Siorapaluk on the northwest coast and all other offshore sea rescue in the rest of Greenland.

Furthermore, the liability covers all ships registered in the mandatory ship-reporting-system “GREENPOS” regardless of whether the ship is located in-fiord or offshore.

The Greenland Police is responsible for the management of search and rescue operations on land and small-scale search and rescue operations in in-fiord areas from Siorapaluk to Cape Farewell on the west coast and in-fiord from 62°N to 72°N (the southern tip at the entrance to Kong Oscars Fjord).

A prerequisite for an effective SAR management in Greenland is a close and effective cooperation between JRCC Greenland and the Greenland Police. It is important that the two authorities know their responsibilities and the visitation rules described in the SAR GREENLAND publication.

SAR GREENLAND is edited by the Joint Arctic Command and published by the Rescue Council chaired by the Danish Ministry of Defense. As an addition to SAR GREENLAND both authorities have detailed plans prepared for handling SAR operations.