A decision support method for design and operationalization of search and rescue in maritime emergency

Weitao Xiong,P.H.A.J.M Van Gelder,Kewei Yang

doi:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.107399

Abstract

Design and operationalization for Search and Rescue (SAR) activities are unstructured and complex multi-criteria decision-making problems, especially for maritime emergency scenario. There is a lack of decision support methods based on intelligent algorithms to shorten the response time and to reduce the loss of life and property. The primary purpose of this paper is to develop a three-stage decision support method to optimize the type and number of resources when making SAR schemes so as to formulate emergency response more efficiently and effectively. First, the main influential factors are identified in Stage 1, including the particulars of environmental indices, search objects and SAR resources. Next, in Stage 2, important variables are defined for generating probability distribution maps, identifying the search areas, and evaluating the objective function in Stage 3. Two intelligent algorithms, the Differential Evolution (DE) and Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II), are used to find appropriate SAR schemes and help resources scheduling. Finally, the feasibility and validity of the model are verified by a ship collision example. From the simulation of the SAR task assignment and decision preference analysis, the proposed method can be used for further improvement of SAR design and operationalization.

Highlights

Search and Rescue (SAR) in maritime emergencies may involve maritime craft, aircrafts wreckage, and lost or missing persons, such as downed aircrews, fishermen, etc
Which part we investigate in the SAR planning problem is to answer how many and which types of SAR resources should be imple mented in a maritime emergency response
This paper provides the following contributions: (1) A three-stage decision support method is developed for SAR resources scheduling and tasks assignment; (2) Two intelligent algorithms were introduced to find the optimal solutions about the required types and number of the SAR resources, considering success rate and total costs

Summary

Introduction

Search and Rescue (SAR) in maritime emergencies may involve maritime craft, aircrafts wreckage, and lost or missing persons, such as downed aircrews, fishermen, etc. It comprises the search for and pro vision of aid to persons who are in danger of loss of life (Abi-Zeid et al, 2011). From the perspective of search planners, the main challenge is how to provide adequate support to make emergency response more efficiently It is a big challenge for decision makers to assign search tasks to multiple professional sub-centers and make timely decisions about SAR resources scheduling in situations where lives are at risk. The maritime environment influences the SAR efficiency, which means that some factors such as waves, wind and currents should be taken into account

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