These 5 ROV search and rescue methods are the most applied by trained professionals in order to find or recover valuable objects and even lives.
The use of technology is increasingly beneficial for this type of mission, using ROVs, these operations are applicable in dangerous or polluted waters where it would be impossible for a human to dive safely. The use of ROVs also turns out to be sometimes faster and smoother.
These techniques are normally applied by trained professionals and are usually supported by the help of professional divers, communication equipment and personnel on land, some electronic device and especially ROVs.
Circular search method
This method is very simple and mechanical, it can also be done with the help of a diver or preferably with an ROV.
We start by marking a point that is going to be the center of our search circle, this point must be clearly marked with a fixed object that is well visible. To start the first sweep, the diver simply needs to see the center of the circle clearly.
The separation between circle and circle will always depend on the conditions of the water, and therefore, on the visibility that our swimmer has. It is important to emphasize that you must ensure that there is an overlap or overlap between the visibility of the previous circle with the current circle. If the target is not found upon completion of this quest, you will need to mark another site as a new hub to continue the quest.
Jackstay search method
The Jackstay is simply a cable fixed to a ship, this cable is normally connected to other ships to exchange goods or any other objects, the jackstay is also very useful for search and rescue missions.
We start by placing a ship with a jackstay at the edge of the area where we decide to start searching, we send the tip of the jackstay to the opposite edge to the one we are in, at the end of the jackstay we place another ship or a base that can move laterally to advance the search.
When using an ROV it is advisable to do a sweep back and forth before moving the boats for greater precision, when a team of divers is involved it is not necessary.
Naturally both points move laterally depending on the visibility of the swimmers and it is easy to do very precise searches since there is usually enough overlap between sweeps.
Grid search method
This method is very simple, with the help of marker buoys we create a grid in the search area, as always the swimmer must verify that the separation between buoys is optimal based on their visibility and the size of the object to be searched.
A thorough search is simply performed on each square and repeated until the area is finished.
It is a very efficient method, works great for small targets and can be used by many swimmers without much confusion.
Hook line search method
This method is very efficient with sufficiently large objects and it is essential to apply it in pairs.
The most common and most efficient application begins by placing our two divers separated by a cable as stretched as possible. The two divers must swim parallel in a straight line to the depth necessary for the cable to drag.
Once the rope is hooked with something, it is verified if it is the object sought, if not, it continues quickly with the cable just in front of the previous object.
This method is very useful and fast for targets such as wrecks, cars, aircraft, etc.
Quick search method
This method is performed immediately when the target or subject has been lost near a dock, boat, or shoreline and was lost very recently.
To set up a quick search, all you need is one swimmer, either a diver or ROV, and a helper who can guide the swimmer by holding a cable from a boat or a fixed point.
We delimit the first search area with a circle, the radius of this circle should be equal to the depth of the water. The swimmer’s spotter must be at their fixed point and the swimmer must draw arcs with their sweeps. As always the separation between sweeps depends entirely on the visibility in the water.
A very basic and fast method in which hardly any equipment is needed, it is clearly not very efficient for searches that require a lot of time and organization, it may be a better option to adopt another more appropriate search method.