Sailboat search and rescue experiment

An experiment to evaluate one satellite search and rescue concept was conducted for one month around the islands of Bahama, aboard a 33-ft sailboat. The sailboat was equipped with satellite data collection equipment which provided vessel communication with an earth station by means of a simple push-button distress alarm keyer. This low-power equipment transmitted boat identification, weather data, location, and simulated other vital distress information and required emergency assistance by means of the NASA NIMBUS 6 data collection satellite at UHF. In addition, the experiment evaluated the NIMBUS Doppler positioning technique for distress application by providing 114 positions derived from the satellite, and 75 percent of these were within 2 nmi of actual locations. Experiment coordination was accomplished by voice link through ATS-3. The experiment demonstrated the potential ability of satellite systems to provide reliable distress alert and position.