SEARCH PATERNS

NBMTF

EXPANDING SQUARE

SECTOR SEARCH

PARALLEL SEARCH

CREEPING LINE SEARCH

TRACKLINE SEARCH

MAN OVERBOARD PROCEDURES

EXPANDING SQUARE, SINGLE UNIT

(SIERA SIERA)

A datum buoy is dropped at the best known

location of the search object

This buoy becomes the center of the search

area.

The first leg will begin from datum in the

direction of drift

All turns are to the right 90 degrees. The length

of the first leg is one track length; search leg

length is increased by one track space on every

other leg

Multiply your track space by the numbers shown

in the search pattern below to determine leg

length

A second search is performed by rotating the

pattern 45 degrees to the right

SECTOR SEARCH, SINGLE UNIT

(VICTOR SIERA)

A datum buoy is dropped at the best known location

of the search object.

This buoy becomes the center (datum) of the search

The first leg will begin from datum in the direction of

drift

All turns are to the right 120 degrees

On the third, sixth, and ninth legs steer to the datum

buoy

Once passed, return to the base course

In a second search the pattern is rotated

30 degrees to the right

PARRALLEL SEARCH, SINGLE UNIT (PAPA SIERA)

CREEPING LINE SEARCH, SINGLE UNIT (CHARLIE

SIERA)

A parallel search and a creeping line search are

conducted in the same manner; the difference

being that the tracks of a parallel search are

oriented parallel to the long side (major axis) of

the search area and the tracks of a creeping line

search are oriented parallel to the short side

(minor axis) of the search area.

All turns are 90 degrees, the pattern repeats until

the search area has been searched or until the

object is located.

TRACKLINE, SINGLE UNIT (TANGO SIERA)

TRACKLINE, SINGLE UNIT,

RETURN (TANGO SIERA ROMEO)

A trackline search follows the intended

track of the missing craft from origin to

destination

TRACKLINE, SINGLE UNIT (TANGO SIERA)

TRACKLINE, SINGLE UNIT, RETURN

(TANGO SIERA ROMEO)

A trackline return search follows a path adjacent to, and off

to one side of, the intended track of the missing craft from

origin to destination. Once at the missing craft’s intended

destination, the search continues back towards the missing

craft’s origin, following a path off to the opposite side of the

previous search line of the craft’s intended track

1. Someone falls in the water

2. The first crewmember to observe the incident calls out

“MAN OVERBOARD” and follows the exclamation with

the side from which the event occurred or the person

was sighted; then maintains sight of and continuously

points to the individual in the water.

3. A crew member throws a ring buoy with strobe light over

the side as soon as possible after the alarm is sounded.

4. The vessel operator will perform the following tasks.

5. Turn the boat in the direction indicated by the alarm.

6. Record the position by pressing the man overboard

button on the GPS.

7. Sound 5 or more short blast on the horn to alert other

boats in the area.

8. Ensure that a floatation device has been deployed

MAN OVERBOARD PROCEDURES

9. The pointer (usually the first person to see

the member go overboard) moves forward

near a pilothouse window, locates the

overboard and points to the location of the

person at all times. The recovery crew

member makes preparation for the pickup.

10.The vessel operator makes the recovery

approach and briefs the crew on the recovery

procedure including which side of the boat

the pickup will occur.

11.If additional assistance is required, notify Fire

Alarm and notify the Coast Guard and

request they broadcast a “PAN PAN”.

The preferred approached is performed with the bow facing

into the greatest force of oncoming resistance (usually the

wind but can be seas or current or a combination of the

three).

• Select the heading that will best ease the approach

(usually from downwind).

• Make the approach rapidly then slow the boat as it nears

the person

• Stop the boat with a short backing down burst when the

person is next to the recovery area.

• Place the transmissions in neutral and have a

crewmember make the recovery.

• If the boat overruns the person, do not attempt to

maneuver closer, swing around and make another

approach.

RECOVERING A PERSON IN THE WATER