Polygon search pattern

The Polygon search pattern can be used to try and locate a target as it is drifting in a strong current. The search pattern should be created perpendicular to the direction of drift and is used to search back and forth ‘down current’ of a search area. This search pattern can also be used in any search situation that requires the search to follow a specified route and end the search back at the commence search point (CSP).

SARPolygon search

The Polygon search pattern is created from an existing route and connects the first and last waypoints in a route to create a polygon shape.

Figure 1. Example polygon search pattern

  1. Existing route

  2. Polygon search pattern.