Unmanned Systems Maritime Search and Rescue

 

Unmanned Systems Maritime Search and Rescue

by

Stanley D. Pebsworth

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

April 2016

                                   

Research paper submitted to the Worldwide Campus in partial fulfillment of the requirements for course UNSY 605, Unmanned Systems Sensing, Perception, and Processing

Abstract

Within the United States national parks, Search and Rescue of isolated personnel is an expensive and time consuming task.  From 2003 to 2006 there were 12,337 Search and Rescue operations within our national parks at a cost of $16,552,053.  For these isolated persons, error in judgment, physical condition, insufficient equipment, and experience were the major contributors to the issue.  Time is of the essence in Search and Rescue Operations.  This paper will research Unmanned Systems that have been used recently in Search and Rescue Operations in a maritime environment.  It will address the specific sensors used and potential modifications that could make this system more successful.  The research will suggest possible applications of both Unmanned Aerial and Unmanned Maritime Systems that could be used in conjunction with each other to enhance effectiveness.  This research will also address the advantages of Unmanned Maritime Systems in Search and Rescue Operations over their manned counterparts.

Keywords: unmanned system, maritime, search and rescue, operation, sensor

Unmanned Systems Maritime Search and Rescue

            From 2003 to 2006 there were over twelve thousand Search and Rescue Operations within our national parks.  Of these, over four thousand were maritime related (Heggie, T. W., & Heggie, T. M., 2009).  Most isolated individuals are located within a 24-hour period.  During Search and Rescue one thing is constant, time is critical to survival (Heggie, T. W., & Heggie, T. M., 2009).  The use of Unmanned Systems in Search and Rescue has gained interest over the years.  In October of 2014, the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation held sea trials to test the integration of Unmanned Surface and Aerial Systems for Search and Rescue.  These tests were held as part of the ICARUS (Integrated Components for Assisted Rescue and Unmanned Search operations) program (Marinelog, n.d.).

            The ICARUS project hosts systems that use Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Thermal Imaging, and Inertial Navigation Units (INU) to sense the systems movement and aide in navigation (ICARUS, n.d.).  Specific proprioceptive sensors are used that improve performance in the maritime environment such as GPS and INU. This program concentrates on the development of technology used in detecting, locating, and recuing individuals in crisis at sea (ICARUS, n.d.).

            Shortcomings to Unmanned Maritime Systems (UMS) are endurance at sea and time to search a specified area.  Improvements could be made in the coordinated effort with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).  The UAS could cover a specified search are much faster that the UMS and once the isolated individual is located the UMS could be deployed to either recover or take needed supplies to the individual.  This coordinated effort could reduce risk to rescue personnel as well as reduce the large costs associated with Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. 

Reference

Heggie, T. W., & Heggie, T. M. (2009). Search and rescue trends associated with recreational travel in US national parks. Journal of Travel Medicine, 16(1), 23-27. doi:10.1111/j.1708-8305.2008.00269.x

ICARUS. (n.d.). Project Overview. Retrieved April 2, 2016 from http://www.fp7-icarus.eu /project-overview

Marinelog. (n.d.). Roles of robots in maritime search and rescue explored. Retrieved April 2, 2016 from http://www.marinelog.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id =8146:roles-of-robots-in-maritime-search-and-rescue-explored&Itemid=230