Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CSTC) and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) have called on outdoor enthusiasts and aviation users to take advantage of the Kingdom’s satellite-based search-and-rescue service through Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs).

The system, which relies on satellite radio communication, enables individuals and institutions to transmit distress signals from areas with no public network coverage.

Developed jointly by CSTC, GACA and the Saudi Air Navigation Services Company, the service covers the entire Kingdom, including remote and isolated regions.

When a beacon is activated, the Saudi Search and Rescue Center at the Saudi Air Navigation Services Company receives the alert and immediately forwards it to the National Security Operations Center at the Ministry of Interior.

The information is then directed to the appropriate security agency according to established protocols, allowing rescue teams to reach individuals more rapidly.

CSTC noted that PLBs are among the most critical safety tools for hikers and outdoor travelers moving through areas without connectivity, enabling emergency alerts to be transmitted within seconds.

Hikers can obtain the devices and required licenses instantly through authorized vendors licensed to sell wireless equipment. A full list of approved agents is available on CSTC’s website.

According to the Enjad Search and Rescue Association, 131 people were reported missing in deserts across Saudi Arabia in 2021. Of those, 100 were found alive, 20 died of hunger or thirst, and 11 remain unaccounted for.

In another annual report, 142 people were listed as missing, with 100 rescued, 28 confirmed dead, and 14 still missing. Over that same period, 13,254 vehicles were reported stuck in desert areas.