A Study of a rescue device for marine accidents using radar cross section characteristics

Abstract

Despite continued advances in life-saving technological devices, communications, and search and rescue, people continue to lose their lives at sea. Search time is a very important factor in determining the success of rescue operations. However, visual searches by aircraft and ship can be restricted by weather conditions and are impossible at nighttime. The personal-use light stick is not bright enough atdaytime. Search and Rescue Transponders (SART) for life-saving appliances are too large and too heavy to equip individual personnel, and moreover have limited range.Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) using satellite communication also require large and expensive equipment, and generally have an error range of 3 nautical miles. Therefore, a new device that is simple, convenient and efficient is required to reduce search time and prevent loss of life at sea.In this paper, we undertake a study of a new rescue device based on Radar Cross Section characteristics to improve search and rescue (SAR) activities. First, the characteristics of current rescue devices were investigated; the characteristics of Radar Cross Section (RCS), which is the measure of a target's ability to reflect radar signals, were also reviewed. New radar-reflecting rescue devices for personal and life-saving use were also designed, and the RCS of these designed devices was analyzed. The proposed device will aid in SAR activities and save lives.