Search pattern

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
cox·swain
ˈkäks(ə)n/
noun
1. the steersman of a ship's boat, lifeboat, racing
boat, or other boat
:  a sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew and who
usually steers

Coxswain responsibility-
Keep crew alert and attentive
Execute the search pattern correctly
SOMEONE'S LIFE MAY DEPEND ON
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
M16130.2(series

Patter nomenclature/classification-
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

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

Corner Method:
• In this method the latitude and longitude
(or geographic features) of each corner
of the search area are given

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 Area:

The latitude and longitude of the
center point are given with a radius
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 to Center Point:
The center point may also be designated by
a range and bearing from a geographic landmark
Landmark Boundary:
Two or more landmarks are given as
boundaries of the search area along a
shoreline
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
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
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