Rescue 21

Maritime communications system

Rescue 21 is an advanced maritime computing, command, control, and communications (C4) system designed to manage communications for the United States Coast Guard.

Rescue 21 is designed to be more robust, reliable, and capable than the legacy system by using a modern radio system coupled with a TCP/IP network, and digital communication using VoIP. It was created to better locate mariners in distress and save lives and property at sea and on navigable rivers. To address the limitations of the current communications system, the National Distress and Response System (NDRS), the Coast Guard has implemented a major systems acquisition program entitled Rescue 21. Rescue 21 enables the Coast Guard to perform all missions with greater agility and efficiency. The new system will close 88 known coverage gaps in coastal areas of the United States, enhancing the safety of life at sea. The system's expanded system frequency capacity enables greater coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, as well as other federal, state and local agencies, and first responders. When completed, this vital major systems acquisition will provide an updated, leading edge Very High Frequency – Frequency Modulated (VHF FM) communications system, replacing the National Distress Response System installed and deployed during the 1970s. Rescue 21 will cover more than 95000 mile (152887 km) of coastline, navigable rivers and waterways in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Remote sites in Alaska and along the Western Rivers are scheduled to receive modified Rescue 21 coverage by 2017. By replacing outdated legacy technology with a fully integrated system, Rescue 21 provides the Coast Guard with upgraded tools and technology to protect the nation's coasts and rescue mariners at sea. The name Rescue 21 is a reference to taking the Search out of Search and Rescue. Rescue 21 was designed and is supported by General Dynamics Mission Systems out of Scottsdale, Arizona.

The National Distress and Response System (NDRS) was established more than 30 years ago as a VHF FM based radio communication system that has a range of up to along most of the U. S. shoreline. While this system has served the Coast Guard well over the years, it consists of out of date and non standard equipment with many limitations. These include:

No direction finding capability. Numerous geographic communication coverage gaps. Limited interoperability with other emergency response services. Single channel radio operation, which prohibits the ability to receive multiple radio calls.

Rescue 21 will provide the United States with a 21st century maritime command, control, and communications (C3) system that encompasses the entire United States. By replacing outdated technology with a fully integrated C3 system, Rescue 21 improves on the NDRS with the following enhancements: interoperability, direction finding equipment with 2 degrees Root Mean Square of accuracy, enhanced clarity of distress calls, simultaneous channel monitoring, upgraded playback and recording feature for distress calls, reduced coverage gaps, and supporting Digital Selective Calling (DSC).