Firm working on search-rescue software

Eoin Howlett of Newport, chief executive officer and principal of Applied Science Associates of Narragansett, is leading his company's development of an advance computer model that will help the Coast Guard more quickly locate people and vessels missing at sea.

"By creating search and rescue software that more accurately predicts where drifting objects are, the Coast Guard can save more lives," Howlett said.

Applied Science Associates has joined Northrop Grumman Information Technology and Metron on the project, the prototype of which is scheduled for testing this spring. The completed system is expected to be delivered in 2005.

Howlett said it is difficult to find drifting objects in a large body of water because "they're constantly moving in response to may factors, such as the speed and direction of winds, tides, currents and wave action.

"Computers give us the ability to process huge amounts of data quickly. So computer modeling-using software to simulate real life conditions-is ideal for faster and more accurate search-and-rescue response in open water," he said.

The new software is called Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System.

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