Determining position of target subjects in Maritime Search and Rescue (MSAR) operations using rotary wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Search and Rescue (SAR) is an operation conducted to find and return to safety the survivors of an emergency incident, where the search may have to be conducted in difficult areas such as in mountains, deserts, forests or at sea. Maritime SAR operations normally involve a large number of vessels and possibly helicopters as well, but this has been found not to be effective enough. This paper looks at Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to assist in maritime SAR operations, leaning towards rotary wing UAVs with the capabilities of flying vertically and horizontally as well as hover at required positions for close monitoring. The focus is on the algorithm for determining the exact position of the target subject(s).