Search Patterns Search Patterns -- Rev: Nov 05 Boat Forces Center Coxswain “C” School

Objectives Given the following instruction state common terms used in Search and Rescue Given basic navigation tools plot and execute both precision and drifting patterns

References National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I & II COMDINST M series U.S. Coast Guard Addendum to the National Search and Rescue Supplement COMDINST M series Boat Crew Seamanship manual COMDINST M series CG Boat Operations and Training Manual VOL I & II COMDINST M series

Value The boat Coxswain must be able to execute the search pattern correctly, so that lives and property in distress have the best possible chance for survival

Coxswain Responsibility Keep crew alert and attentive Execute the search pattern correctly SOMEONE'S LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT

Search Planning Is necessary when the location of a distress object is not known, or time has passed since the objects position was last known

SAR Planning Where does SAR planning come from? The Coast Guard Addendum to the National Search and Rescue Supplement COMDTINST M (series)

SAR Addendum The primary search planning & rescue operations guidance and policy manual

Pattern Nomenclature Datum The most probable location of a search object corrected for movement over time

Pattern Nomenclature Explanation of movement: To locate datum, Two major forces need to be considered: Total Water Current Leeway

Pattern Nomenclature Total water current (TWC) The sum of all water currents that might be acting upon a search object in any given localityThe sum of all water currents that might be acting upon a search object in any given locality Sea Current Wind Current Reversing Tidal Current River Current Lake Current Surf & Rip Current The best information on TWC is obtained from a Datum Marker Buoy.

Pattern Nomenclature Leeway: The movement through the water caused by winds blowing against the exposed surfaces of the search object. The more exposed area the object has the greater the wind force on the object

Pattern Nomenclature Search Leg: The track line of the SRU involved in a search pattern, or the long leg along the track of a parallel or creeping line search

Pattern Nomenclature Cross Leg: The connection between search legs of a parallel or creeping line search pattern

Pattern Nomenclature Sweep Width: The corrected distance a SRU should be able to visually detect the search object on either side of the search leg

Pattern Nomenclature Track Spacing: The distance between adjacent parallel legs With the exception of the Sector search which will have a radius

Pattern Nomenclature Major Axis: A bearing line used for the orientation of a rectangular search area from the center

Pattern Nomenclature Minor Axis: A bearing line perpendicular to the major axis

Pattern Nomenclature Commence Search Point (CSP) The location in the search area that the SRU starts the search pattern

Pattern Nomenclature Initial Response (PIW) When searching for people in the water start a Sector Search ASAP: Speed 6 knots Track spacing:.1 NM 1 minute search legs

Pattern Nomenclature Search Area: The area most likely to contain the search object. Start with determining datum There are 7 different methods

Corner Method BLDG ABAND LT HOU Point Comfort 37º19’00”N 076º15’00”W 37º20’26”N 076º13’57”W 37º18’17”N 076º13’19”W 37º19’36”N 076º12’05”W Corner Method: In this method the latitude and longitude (or geographic features) of each corner of the search area are given

Track line Method BLDG ABAND LT HOU Point Comfort 37º21’45”N 076º14’22”W 37º20’44”N 076º12’06”W 37º18’35”N 076º12’15”W Trackline Method: The latitude and longitude of the departure point, turns and destination are given with a specific width along the track

Center Point Circular BLDG ABAND LT HOU Point Comfort 37º21’00”N 076º13’38”W 0.75 NM radius Center Point, Circular Area: The latitude and longitude of the center point are given with a radius

Center Point BLDG ABAND LT HOU Point Comfort 37º21’00”N 076º13’38”W Center Point, Rectangular or Square Area: The latitude and longitude of the center point are given with the direction of the major axis and the length and width of the area

Range and Bearing BLDG ABAND LT HOU Point Comfort Range and Bearing to Center Point: The center point may also be designated by a range and bearing from a geographic landmark 140ºT 2 NM

Landmark Boundary Landmark Boundary: Two or more landmarks are given as boundaries of the search area along a shoreline BLDG Point Comfort 3 NM

Lat/Long Boundary BLDG ABAND LT HOU Point Comfort Latitude/Longitude Boundary: The sides of the search area are oriented North-South and East-West and the latitude and longitude of the sides are given 37º21’00”N 076º11’30”W 37º18’00”N 076º14’30”W

Pattern Designations First Letter Designates Pattern: “P” for Parallel “C” for Creeping Line “S” for Square “V” for Sector “T” for Track line “B” for Barrier

Pattern Designations Second Letter Designates Number of SRU’s: –“S” for Single Search Unit –“M” for Multiple Search Units Third Letter for Supplementary Information: –“R” for Radar Coordination or Return –“N” for Non-Return to Starting Point

Labeling Patterns Plotted in true Courses labeled in true and compass Turns labeled with DR’s and DR times

“PS” Pattern Parallel track search, Single unit use: –Large area –Position of search object approximate –Uniform coverage desired –Search leg parallel to major axis

Plotting a “PS” Search Area 1½01234 N (True) Determine Search Area

Plotting a “PS” Search Area 1½01234 Measure ½ track spacing in from the corners

Plotting a “PS” 1½01234 Connect the marks to make the patterns size

Plotting a “PS” 1½01234 CSP Mark CSP, mark full track spacing and lay out cross legs

Plotting a “PS” Lay out search legs, and erase every other cross leg 1½01234 CSP

Plotting a “PS” Label a minimum of three legs a DR at all turns 1½01234 CSP C- ºT/ ºC D- NM S- KN C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT ºC D- NM

“CS” Pattern CREEPING LINE SEARCH, SINGLE UNIT USE: –LARGE AREA –UNIFORM COVERAGE DESIRED –POSITION OF SEARCH OBJECT IS BELIEVED TO BE ON ONE END OF SEARCH AREA –SEARCH LEGS PARALLEL TO MINOR AXIS

Plotting a “CS” Search Area 1½01234 N (True)

Plotting a “CS” Search Area 1½01234 N (True) Measure ½ track spacing in from the corners

Plotting a “CS” 1½01234 Connect the marks to make the pattern size

Plotting a “CS” 1½01234 CSP Mark CSP, measure full track spacing and lay out cross legs

Plotting a “CS” 1½01234 CSP Lay out search legs and erase every other cross leg

Plotting a “CS” Label a minimum of three legs and a DR at all turns 1½01234 CSP C- ºT/ ºC D- NM S- KN C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT ºC D- NM

“VS” Pattern SECTOR SEARCH, SINGLE UNIT USE: –RELIABLE POSITION OF SEARCH OBJECT – CONCENTRATED AT DATUM –DATUM AT CENTER –STARTS AND ENDS AT DATUM –ALL TURNS ARE 120º TO THE RIGHT –1ST LEG IN DIRECTION OF DRIFT

Plotting a “VS” Pattern Plot datum and arc a full track spacing around it 1½01234

Plotting a “VS” Pattern Lay down first track line, either 000 T or the direction of drift originating from datum 1½01234 Datum

Plotting a “VS” Pattern Mark track spacing on either side of the line top and bottom 1½01234 Datum

Plotting a “VS” Pattern Lay out the remaining track lines by connecting the marks 1½01234 Datum

Plotting a “VS” Pattern Label three legs minimum 1½01234 Datum C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM S- KN C- ºT/ ºC D- NM

“SS” Pattern EXPANDING SQUARE SEARCH, SINGLE UNIT USE: –SMALL AREA –FIRST SEARCH LEG IS EITHER DIRECTION OF DRIFT OR TRUE NORTH –ALL TURNS ARE 90º TO THE RIGHT –TRACK SPACING DETERMINES 1ST AND 2ND LEG THEN ADD ONE TRACK SPACING EVERY OTHER LEG

“Plotting a SS” Pattern Plot datum and mark a full track spacing around it 1½01234

“Plotting a SS” Pattern Lay down first search leg, either 000ºT or direction of drift, originating from datum 1½01234 CSP

Plotting a “SS” Pattern Lay down search leg #2, 90º to the right of #1 for the distance of 1 track spacing 1½01234 CSP

Plotting a “SS” Pattern Add one track spacing to determine length of search leg for search legs #3 and #4, plot #3 and #4 1½01234 CSP

Plotting a “SS” Pattern Repeat for number of legs required 1½01234 CSP

Plotting a “SS” Pattern Label all legs CSP 1½01234 C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM

“TSN” Pattern TRACKLINE SEARCH, SINGLE UNIT,NON- RETURN USE: –ONLY INFORMATION AVAILABLE IS THE INTENDED TRACK OF TARGET –START SEARCH AT CSP AND SEARCH THE INTENDED TRACKLINE OF THE SEARCH OBJECT

“TSR” Pattern TRACKLINE SEARCH, SINGLE UNIT, RETURN USE: –ONLY INFORMATION AVAILABLE IS THE INTENDED TRACK OF TARGET –CSP IS OFFSET 1/2 TRACK SPACING FROM SEARCH OBJECTS INTENDED TRACKLINE –SRU SEARCHES ONE SIDE THEN THE OTHER OF THE SEARCH OBJECT’S INTENDED TRACK

Plotting a “TSR” Pattern Using the target's intended track line, plot positions along the track at the origin of your search and any turns 1½01234

Plotting a “TSR” Pattern Using 1/2 track spacing, arc a circle around each plotted position and at the first position, plot a line perpendicular to the intended track line 1½01234

Plotting a “TSR” Pattern CSP will be located at one end of the perpendicular line, the finish is the other. From CSP lay down the search legs (note the turn) 1½01234 CSP

Plotting a “TSR” Pattern Label all legs C- ºT/ ºC D- NM S- KN C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM C- ºT/ ºC D- NM 1½01234 CSP C- ºT ºC D- NM

Review What manual is the primary manual used for search planning and rescue operations? Coast Guard Addendum to the National SAR Manual

Review What is the definition of datum? The most probable location of a search object corrected for movement over time

Review What is the definition of a search leg? The track line of the SRU unit OR The long leg along the track of a parallel or creeping line search

Review What is the definition of sweep width? The distance an SRU should be able to detect the search object on either side of the leg

Review What is CSP? Commence Search Point: The location at which the SRU starts the search pattern

Review What search pattern is a “PS”? Parallel Search pattern Single Unit

Review What search pattern is a “SS”? Expanding Square Search pattern Single Unit

Review What search pattern is a “TSR”? Track Line Search pattern Single Unit Return

Questions??