Applied Science Associates, Inc.

Coast Guard soon to receive new lifesaving search and rescue software

Contact: Nicole Whittier
Phone: 401-789-6224
April, 2004

NARRAGANSETT, RI, Mar. --The United States Coast Guard will soon be using a faster, more accurate computer system to track and predict the location of floating and drifting objects.

The new computer model, called SAROPS (Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System), has significant potential to improve the Coast Guard's ability to save lives and property by speeding the identification of the location of people and boats lost at sea.

The new system replaces two older systems, one of which hasn't had a major upgrade in 20 years. The software, in prototype now, is set for delivery in 2005. It is being jointly developed by Applied Science Associates (ASA), Northrop Grumman Information Technology and Metron under a $1.3 million contract from the Coast Guard.

According to Eoin Howlett, ASA's CEO, predicting the probable location of people and vessels adrift in a large body of water involves taking into account many factors and performing complex calculations. "Drifting objects move constantly in response to many forces, such as the speed and direction of winds, tides, currents and wave action. Computers give us the ability to input and process all that data quickly. The computer modeling we are doing--using advanced software to simulate real-life conditions--is ideal for faster and more accurate search and rescue response in open water."

In short, it will tell rescuers where to look for people after an accident at sea. SAROPS integrates three main components:

" ESRI ArcGIS"-based user interface using the Commercial Joint Mapping Toolkit (C/JMTK),

" Internet-based real-time environmental data retrieval system,

" Search planning simulator.

About ASA

Founded in 1979, ASA helps clients understand and manage marine and freshwater environments worldwide. Combining proprietary computer modeling tools with the consulting capabilities of an exceptionally diverse technical staff, the firm provides a broad range of services to international, national and local government agencies, private industry and educational institutions. ASA has extensive experience with clients involved in oil and gas, power generation, ports and harbors, wastewater, coastal management and crisis response, ecological risk assessment, hydrodynamics, dredging, water quality and coastal engineering.

In addition to its Narragansett, RI headquarters, ASA has offices in Australia, Brazil, France and Scotland. The company's website, www.appsci.com, contains numerous scientific reports written by its staff and extensive information about its services.