Development of a computer program for determination of search areas for search and rescue operations of the United States Coast Guard

Abstract

The increase in trans -oceanic travel and maritime operations have created a need for new and improved search and rescue techniques and facilities. This study briefly describes the various phases of search and rescue operations and reviews the doctrine currently used by this Nation as set forth in the National Search and Rescue Manual. Attention is then directed to developing a computer program which utilizes current doctrine in the solution of one portion of the search and rescue problem. The program determines the most probable location of survivors (datum) and the associated search areas at any specified time for an off-shore distress case with an estimated reported distress incident position. The resulting program/ written in Fortran 60, is included with sample test data. Finally, recent developments in computer-generated informations systems which may offer improvements in the existing doctrine are discussed.