SCT03 - Real-Time SAR Drift Prediction Using Live Sensor Data from an Instrumented Ocean Mannequin

When a person falls overboard, every minute counts. Current Search and Rescue (SAR) drift prediction tools rely on ocean models — but these models generate predictions without any real-time feedback from the actual object in the water. What if a physical device could continuously correct the prediction with its own measured position? Dummy Rescue is a patented instrumented mannequin designed to simulate a victim at sea. Developed in collaboration with the ETSII-UPM (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid), it transmits real-time GPS position, depth, water temperature and IMU data via IoT and satellite communications. The project has confirmed operational interest from SASEMAR (Spanish Maritime Safety Agency) as a SAR training and algorithm validation tool. The challenge: build a working software prototype over 48 hours that integrates simulated device telemetry with OpenDrift — the open-source drift prediction engine used by real SAR agencies (Norwegian Met Institute) — to generate a continuously corrected drift prediction displayed on an operational maritime map. The hardware prototype is under development.

The 48-hour challenge focuses entirely on the data pipeline, the integration layer, and the operational visualisation — using synthetic data in the same format the real device will produce. The result: a decision-support tool showing predicted victim position updated in real time as new sensor data arrives, bridging the gap between ocean models and physical ground truth.

A data pipeline and operational dashboard prototype:
(1) ingestion of real-time or simulated telemetry from the Dummy Rescue device (GPS, depth, temperature, salinity via MQTT/API);
(2) integration with OpenDrift to run continuous drift correction using live position as ground truth;
(3) visualisation layer on a maritime map (Cesium or Deck.gl) showing predicted drift corridor, actual device position, and confidence interval.
Output: a working web tool usable by SAR coordinators during a search operation.

Python developer with data pipeline experience; marine data scientist or oceanographer familiar with drift models (OpenDrift); GIS / geomatics engineer for maritime visualisation; frontend developer (web mapping, Cesium or Deck.gl)