EVALUATION OF THE EXPENDABLE SURFACE CURRENT PROBE (ESCP)

An evaluation of an expendable surface current probe (ESCP) was conducted by the Coast Guard Research and Development Center using operational units in the First, Seventh, and Thirteenth Districts. A total of 86 probes were tested under simulated search and rescue (SAR) conditions using Coast Guard surface vessels ranging from 40 to 210 feet in length, and from HH-3F and HH-52A helicopters. The evaluation of the ESCP shows that the probe can be launched easily from Coast Guard ships and helicopters; the probe provides an accurate measurement (plus or minus 0.2 knots) of the surface current, quickly and inexpensively, in a broad range of weather and sea surface conditions. The overall performance of the ESCP indicates that it should become the most effective empirical measure of the surface current during a SAR case.

• Corporate Authors:

  United States Coast Guard

  Research and Development Center, 1082 Shennecossett Road
  Groton, CT  United States  06340-6096
• Authors:
  • Hufford, G L
  • PHILLIPS, S M
• Publication Date: 1974-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 46 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Failure; Floating structures; Flowmeters; Helicopters; Ocean currents; Oceans; Performance; Search and rescue operations; Ships; Test procedures
• Old TRIS Terms: Expendable; Floats; Ocean surface; Performance engineering
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00090435
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CGR/DC-40/74 Final Rpt.
• Files: NTIS
• Created Date: May 29 1975 12:00AM