The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has developed a newer version of its own Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT). It incorporates significant enhancements to improve efficiency and usability.
About SARAT
Launch and Purpose:
- Introduced in 2016 under the Make in India program.
- Designed to facilitate search and rescue operations at sea, helping locate individuals or vessels in distress in the shortest possible time.
Developer: Created by INCOIS, leveraging high-performance computational and oceanographic expertise.
Key Features of SARAT
Technology and Working Mechanism:
- Utilizes model ensembling to account for uncertainties in the initial location and time of disappearance.
- Movement predictions are based on currents and winds, derived from a high-resolution Regional Ocean Modelling System operated on INCOIS’s High-Performance Computers.
- Offers options for up to 60 types of missing objects, categorized by shape and buoyancy.
Interactive Interface:
- Users can input the last known location using an interactive map or provide specific parameters like coastal location, distance travelled, and bearing angle.
- Results are displayed on an interactive map with probable search areas, which are also communicated via email or mobile texts.
Localized Accessibility:
- Requests and responses are available in the local languages of coastal states, enabling fishermen and local communities to utilize the tool effectively.
Enhancements in SARAT Version 2
Precision Improvements: The search area now expands accurately from the last known position of the missing object.
Visual Enhancements:
- Improved visualizations for better judgment of search areas.
- Colour-coded search regions and markers for easier identification of the last known position.
User-Friendly Updates: Streamlined interface to enhance usability, especially for local fishermen in distress scenarios.