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Search and rescue at sea aided by hidden flow structures

Engineering and Technology

Search and rescue at sea aided by hidden flow structures

M. Serra, P. Sathe, et al.

This cutting-edge research explores how transient attracting profiles (TRAPs) in ocean-surface velocity data can enhance Search and Rescue operations at sea. Conducted by Mattia Serra and colleagues, the findings demonstrate the potential of TRAPs to attract drifting objects, which could save lives during emergency situations.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
This paper addresses the challenge of improving the efficiency of Search and Rescue (SAR) algorithms at sea by uncovering hidden Transient Attracting Profiles (TRAPs) in ocean-surface velocity data. TRAPs, computable from a single velocity-field snapshot, act as short-term attractors for floating objects. Field experiments demonstrate that TRAPs computed from measured and modeled velocities attract deployed drifters and manikins, simulating people fallen in the water. This information is critical for SAR and oil spill containment, potentially saving lives and mitigating environmental disasters.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
May 26, 2020
Authors
Mattia Serra, Pratik Sathe, Irina Rypina, Anthony Kirincich, Shane D. Ross, Pierre Lermusiaux, Arthur Allen, Thomas Peacock, George Haller
Tags
Search and Rescue
Transient Attracting Profiles
ocean-surface velocity
drifters
emergency response
environmental disaster
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