IMES Leads Europe with Innovative Use of Emergency Response Technology

Contacts: Eoin Howlett, Nicole Whittier

Phone: 1-401-789-6224

Summary

• The Irish Marine Emergency Services (IMES) responds to some 1500 marine incidents every year.
• Drawing on this experience, IMES along with Applied Science Associates (ASA), a consulting firm specializing in computer software for emergency response, have designed and implemented a world class system for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations as well as pollution response.
• The resulting software is unique in its ability to integrate multiple technologies, such as electronic charts, numerical models, and Vessel Tracking Management Information Systems (VTMIS), into an exceptionally useful and time effective system.
• IMES is the leading agency in Europe in terms of implementing these technologies.

SAR and Pollution Response System

The system uses a computer program which models wind and wave conditions as well as drift characteristics for a particular object to predict the most likely trajectory and location. The "object" may be a lost vessel or a spilled pollutant.

• Animated trajectories of computer generated predictions are displayed on electronic British Admiralty charts. This information is supplemented with the option to display response specific information, such as the location of nearest response vessels.
• The search and rescue application of this system, known as SARMAP, will suggest search patterns over time and allow IMES to track responding vessels.

System Development

The IMES system was a customized version of software developed by Applied Science Associates under the direction of project manager, Eoin Howlett:

"IMES has such a wealth of experience in rescue operations that their understanding of missing person searches at sea and our understanding of computer software for emergency response were a great match. IMES did not just take our software off the shelf and start using it, but have worked with us to tailor the software to meet their needs in time-critical and stressful situations."