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

MenuSARSearch and Rescue

SAR menu

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

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

Square route on chart

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

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

Sector route on chart

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

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

Search area controls window

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

Parallel tracks route on chart

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.