General Description

In approximately 8 – 12% of all SAR incidents, the exact geographical position of survivors remains unknown and radio communications with them proves impossible, for one reason or another. These circumstances invoke the need for search area determination and area coverage modelling. The theory of search planning was first developed during and immediately following the second world war, and the science and mathematics still hold true to this day, although more recent research in the US and Canada has enabled us to refine certain areas of the process. This is an entry level course for SAR Officers who require knowledge and skills to enable the construction of high probability search areas in which to look for survivors drifting at sea. This first phase of calculations is known as Search Area Determination (SAD). The second phase of calculations will enable the assignment of search and rescue facilities to search the area or sub-areas in a carefully planned and coordinated manner. This is known as Search Area Coverage (SAC). The skills required are a fair mix of mathematics along with the application of the experience of good seamanship, indeed the process is an inexact science with the inclusion of multiple variables and unknown quantities, in a similar way that Meteorology can be viewed as an inexact or incomplete science. The theory of Search Planning as introduced in IAMSAR provides a foundation for this course which will teach the subject from first principles and will focus on manual practical exercising where increasingly complex Search Planning scenarios are solved using paper charts, a suite of Search Planning forms and a calculator.

Course Aim

The Search Planning Foundation course aims to give students a thorough grounding in the theory of Search Planning as well as developing the skills required to solve a range of SAD and SAC scenarios. By the end of the course the student will be able to demonstrate these skills through participation in a large number of practical exercises.

Prerequisite Knowledge or qualifications

The student must have a medium to high level of knowledge and skills in the use of, and plotting on, paper nautical charts. In addition, although not essential, the student will benefit from simple mathematical skills such as addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. Trigonometry will play a small part in the course, as will the transposition of simple formulae, and the process of interpolation.

The course will be delivered using the English Language, and students should be orally fluent in its use. With proper notice, it may be possible to organise an interpreter service should the client deem this necessar

Target Audience

This course is designed for Rescue Centre Staff who are required to carry out the task of search planning. SMC’s and Managers will benefit from the course by a thorough understanding of the process which will support efficient decision making, as well as understanding the time and tools required to complete the task. Similarly Commanders, Captains and Skippers of declared SAR facilities will gain a higher understanding of the role of SMC by following this course. It will highlight the origins of information passed from the SMC to the Commanders and enable a better understanding. From time to time, SAR facility commanders may be required to utilise the skills themselves, if for any reason the Rescue Centre is unable to provide timely solutions.

Detailed Course Content

• SAR Tables – origin and use
• Glossary of terms
• IAMSAR
• Search Area Determination (SAD)
  • SAD simple model
  • Gathering and analysing data
  • Input data & data sources
  • Output data & application of the data
• Drift Factors
  • Surface current
  • Leeway
  • Downwind & cross-wind components – divergence
  • Wind driven current
• Error values
  • Initial position error
  • Drift error
• Vector addition v chart plotting
  • Vector addition utility
• SAD forms
• Construction and application of SAD Model Types
  • Rapid Response
  • Datum Point
  • Datum Line
  • Backtrack
  • Datum Area
• “Reading” the Chart
• Dynamic search object considerations
• SAC forms
• Search Area Coverage (SAC) theory
  • SAC simple model
  • Input data & data sources
  • Output data
• SAC Manual methodology single unit
  • AVNST formula
• SAC multiple unit allocation
  • Multiple similar units
  • Multiple different units
• Sweep width, track spacing and coverage factor
• POC, POD and POS
• Search patterns
  • Expanding square or box search
  • Sector search
  • Parallel track search
  • Creeping line ahead search
  • Key search
  • Herring bone search
  • Goalkeeper or gatekeeper search
  • Multi Layered Search
  • Escaping search object syndrome
• Search Instructions
• Survival times and termination
• Planning ahead and advanced concepts
• Practical exercises of all types of SAD and SAC