A.
UNHCR MEETING ON REFUGEE SEA RESCUE GENEVA AUGUST 14,1979
Statement by United States Representative on Agenda Item # 1: Review by representatives of rescue efforts being made or under consideration by their respective Governments comprising both governmental and non- governmental action
US Naval Support Activities in South China Sea
For many months, the ships and aircraft of the United States Seventh Fleet have been engaged in helping refugees in distress
at sea in Southeast Asia in the course of their regular missions.
Existing directives to render assistance to vessels in distress, and if unseaworthy, to embark their passengers, were strengthened on
July 21, when at the President's orders, the Seventh Fleet was
directed to increase patrols specifically in order to locate
and help refugees. In addition, the President renewed his appeal to American flag shipping to continue their efforts to help
refugees at sea.
In compliance with the President's order, long-range maritime
patrol aircraft have been dedicated exclusively to daily
surveillance missions intended to detect and, where necessary,
facilitate assistance to refugee boats. In addition, all naval
commanders have adjusted formations to increase opportunities for detection (e.g. dispersed formations and daylight transits of likely areas ) and assigned their embarked helicopters and carrier patrol aircraft to refugee boat surveillance and assistance
missions while transiting these waters,
In addition to the aerial missions, Commander-in-Chief
Pacific Fleet has estimated that between July 22 and 30 September, over 275 ships days will have been primarily oriented towards.
surface ship surveillance for refugee boats,
When surveillance aircraft discover a boat in distress,
contact is referred to US Naval Surface Units in the area to render
assistance. If none are available, the aircraft commander
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