System 21 supports sea rescues

The US Coast Guard has begun using a command, control and communications system known as Rescue 21 for search and rescue, marine environmental protection and homeland security missions. General Dynamics C4 Systems was the prime contractor for development and deployment of the system, which is being used along the Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida coastlines.

Rescue 21’s advanced direction-finding capability allows operators to more accurately locate the source of a distress call and track down hoax calls. The system includes a network of towers to help reduce coverage gaps in coastal areas and ensure more calls get through to the Coast Guard.

Rescue 21 uses Disaster Recovery System (DRS), a fully autonomous, rapidly deployable emergency communications package. It provides voice and data connectivity if a man-made or natural disaster destroys the existing communications infrastructure. The DRS connects to the Coast Guard Data Network (CGDN+) via satellite communications.