## SAR (Search and Rescue)

```{note}
SAR — search and rescue route planning is performed in accordance with IAMSAR vol. 3 recommendations.
```

The calculation is performed for three patterns:

- **Square** — search within a designated square
- **Sector** — search within a designated sector
- **Parallel track** — search within a designated area

| Menu path |
|-------------|
| {{ menu }} → {{ menu_sar }} → **Search and Rescue** |

![SAR menu](images/sar-menu.png)

```{important}
The navigating officer is obliged to follow the methods and recommendations of **IAMSAR vol. III** for selecting the search strip width and calculating the search speed to ensure the specified search coverage.
```

```{warning}
When automatically generating search routes, ECDIS does not account for navigational characteristics of the search and rescue area.

The navigating officer **must** verify the search route for safety and, if necessary, correct the route.
```

### Square

ECDIS will calculate and generate a SAR route according to the specified criteria for the **Square** pattern.

![Square pattern window](images/square-pattern-window.png)

| № | Element | Description |
|---|---------|----------|
| **1** | **Pattern** | Standard pattern used for calculating and generating the search route |
| **2** | **Search radius** | The circle around which the search route is constructed |
| **3** | **Search width** | The sweep width for the search area at the given vessel speed |
| **4** | **Generate route** | Generates the search route according to the specified criteria. The generated route is stored in the route list |
| **5** | **Leg bearing** | Direction of the first route leg |
| **6** | **Speed** | Search speed. The search strip width depends on the search speed |
| **7** | **Side** | Select the turn side (which side to turn towards) |
| **8** | **$V_{\text{eco}}$** | Sets the **Speed** parameter to the economic speed value |
| **9** | **Origin point coordinates** | Coordinates of the search route origin point |
| **10** | **Current vessel position** | Sets the current vessel coordinates as the route origin point coordinates |
| **11** | **Person Overboard (POB)** | Sets the POB event coordinates as the route origin point coordinates. Active only when POB mode is active |
| **12** | **Cursor coordinates** | Sets the cursor coordinates as the route origin point coordinates |

![Generated square route](images/square-route-generated.png)

![Square route on chart](images/square-route-on-map.png)

After generating the route, navigate to the route collection to adjust, verify, and activate the generated search route.

```{note}
The search route consists of: a leg from the current vessel position to the search route origin point, and the search route itself.
```

### Sector

ECDIS will calculate and generate a SAR route according to the specified criteria for the **Sector** pattern.

![Sector pattern window](images/sector-pattern-window.png)

| № | Element | Description |
|---|---------|----------|
| **1** | **Pattern** | Standard pattern used for calculating and generating the search route |
| **2** | **Search radius** | The circle around which the search route is constructed |
| **3** | **Search width** | The sweep width for the search area at the given vessel speed |
| **4** | **Generate route** | Generates the search route according to the specified criteria. The generated route is stored in the route list |
| **5** | **Leg bearing** | Direction of the first route leg |
| **6** | **Speed** | Search speed. The search strip width depends on the search speed |
| **7** | **Side** | Select the turn side (which side to turn towards) |
| **8** | **$V_{\text{eco}}$** | Sets the **Speed** parameter to the economic speed value |
| **9** | **Origin point coordinates** | Coordinates of the search route origin point |
| **10** | **Current vessel position** | Sets the current vessel coordinates as the route origin point coordinates |
| **11** | **Person Overboard (POB)** | Sets the POB event coordinates as the route origin point coordinates. Active only when POB mode is active |
| **12** | **Cursor coordinates** | Sets the cursor coordinates as the route origin point coordinates |

![Generated sector route](images/sector-route-generated.png)

![Sector route on chart](images/sector-route-on-map.png)

After generating the route, navigate to the route collection to adjust, verify, and activate the generated search route.

```{note}
The search route consists of: a leg from the current vessel position to the search route origin point, and the search route itself.
```

### Parallel tracks

ECDIS will calculate and generate a SAR route according to the specified criteria for the **Parallel tracks** pattern.

![Parallel tracks pattern window](images/parallel-tracks-window.png)

| № | Element | Description |
|---|---------|----------|
| **1** | **Pattern** | Standard pattern used for calculating and generating the search route |
| **2** | **Search width** | The sweep width for the search area at the given vessel speed |
| **3** | **Generate route** | Generates the search route according to the specified criteria. The generated route is stored in the route list |
| **4** | **Select Area** | Define the search area by drawing its boundaries on the chart using the cursor |

![Select search area](images/select-search-area.png)

![Search area controls window](images/search-area-controls.png)

**Search area management functions:**

- **Clear** — clear (remove from chart) the previously constructed search area
- **Apply** — apply the constructed search area for calculations
- **Cancel** — exit the search area construction function

| № | Element | Description |
|---|---------|----------|
| **5** | **Speed** | Search speed. The search strip width depends on the search speed |
| **6** | **Side** | Select the turn side (which side to turn towards) |
| **7** | **$V_{\text{eco}}$** | Sets the **Speed** parameter to the economic speed value |

The route will be generated from the current vessel position. The entry point to the search area is the nearest point of the search area to the vessel position. The entry point to the search area is the origin point of the search route. The route is fitted into the search area considering the search strip width.

![Generated parallel tracks route](images/parallel-tracks-generated.png)

![Parallel tracks route on chart](images/parallel-tracks-on-map.png)

After generating the route, navigate to the route collection to adjust, verify, and activate the generated search route.

```{note}
The search route consists of: a leg from the current vessel position to the search route origin point, and the search route itself.
```

```{tip}
**It is recommended to use the "Parallel tracks" pattern** for searching within a defined area with known boundaries. This provides maximum coverage of the designated area with search strips.
```

```{caution}
The recommendations in this manual regarding search route generation cannot and do not replace the recommendations of **IAMSAR**. The navigating officer is obliged to follow the requirements of normative documents and good seamanship practice when planning search and rescue operations.
```
