CoastguardMana Saving Lives at Sea



Practical search patterns and observation techniques

Posted by Mark Presling
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Date: 
Sun, 17/11/2013

This session started off with an hour of running over the theory of Observation Techniques and Search Patterns before heading out on the water with both vessels to conduct a simulated search for two missing swimmers from Titahi Bay.

Search patterns practiced:

  • Sector
  • Expanding box
  • Creeping line ahead
  • Shoreline

One of the targets, a 2L milk container half filled with water, was deployed just north of Green Point. This was eventually found approximately 2.25 nautical miles south (towards Makara Beach) after travelling at an average of 1.5kts in the extremely swift outgoing tide.

Turnout: 
10 people
Total Volunteer Hours: 
50


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