More efficient maritime rescue with optimized planning and search systems

The application of the optimal search and rescue planning system (Sarops) helps to shorten search and rescue time and increase efficiency when rescuing people in distress at sea.

In recent years, due to the impact of climate change and extreme weather phenomena, the frequency of storms and tropical depressions in Vietnam's sea area has increased and become unpredictable.

Not to mention, the influence of the Northeast monsoon, Southwest monsoon and complex tidal activities in the East Sea are posing challenges for search and rescue work at sea.

With the application of the optimal search and rescue planning system (Sarops), only 30 minutes after receiving the distress report, the rescue team was able to set out to rescue people.

Therefore, establishing an optimal plan for maritime search and rescue operations can contribute to improving the effectiveness of search and rescue operations.

According to the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (VMRCC), in recent times, rescue forces have always sought solutions to improve operational efficiency, including the use of technology.

One of the software currently in use is Sarops (Optimal Search and Rescue Planning System). Sarops is a software developed by the US Coast Guard. This software provides useful guidance for making decisions on mobilizing SAR vessels to participate in search and rescue operations based on the results of calculating the search object floating at sea and establishing the search area.

Accordingly, when a distress call is made, search and rescue forces will be able to immediately calculate detailed information about wind direction, wind speed, currents, as well as see information about ships operating around the area. Thereby, the work of establishing a search area will be carried out more quickly.

VMRCC representative said that in the past, each time a distress call was received, the rescue team had to find a way to verify the information and manually calculate to determine the search area. The rescue team had to manually calculate to establish the search area based on information about wind direction, currents, and calculate factors such as the direction in which the object drifted.

The calculation takes about 30 minutes and if the information changes, the calculation must be recalculated from the beginning. Not to mention, the rescue team cannot determine if there are any ships nearby to mobilize, and must call relevant local units. This makes the search and rescue work not only time-consuming but also ineffective.

Nowadays, thanks to the application of technology, just 30 minutes after receiving the distress report, the rescue team can set out to save people.

It can be said that the application of technology helps Vietnamese forces to increasingly improve their search and rescue capabilities, minimizing human and property damage in accidents and incidents at sea. The use of the Sarops system also helps to successfully deploy many complex and urgent search and rescue operations.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/cuu-nan-tren-bien-hieu-qua-hon-nho-he-thong-lap-ke-hoach-va-tim-kiem-toi-uu-192241111171939057.htm