Abstract
Sea ice dynamics, such as sea ice convergence and landfast break-out events, can cause individuals and vessels to be trapped or beset in the ice, posing major hazards for Arctic maritime operators and first responders. Search and Rescue (SAR) for these events can be challenging, depending on weather and maritime conditions such as low visibility and large wave action. This research investigated the use of radar, satellite, and other tracking data for sea ice and weather conditions in maritime-related SAR operations in Alaska. Specifically, we looked into how sea ice and weather data and models can help support emergency responders by analyzing a case study of a SAR event for a missing small vessel offshore from Utqiaġvik (formerly, Barrow) in July 2017. This research consisted of: (1) an archival analysis of the SAR communication email threads and official U.S. Coast Guard case file associated with the SAR event and (2) an analysis of interviews with individuals involved in the SAR event. We analyzed themes related to the timeline of the event, the use of scientific products in decisionmaking, challenges to data use, and lessons learned for future SAR events. Interviews were conducted over the course of fall 2017 and spring 2018 to explore how this SAR event unfolded and also SAR data needs more broadly. In this study, the data needs of information users were defined as those related to supporting an emergency response. This research holds implications for future use and uptake of modeling data in local SAR operations in Utqiaġvik specifically and potentially across the Arctic. For example, one of the main findings from this research is that while there exists a breadth of data sources that could potentially be applied in a SAR context, many of these resources are not known to SAR operators. Furthermore, many of these resources were created for a specific scientific purpose and are not readily available for a SAR situation. Given that local SAR operators are predominantly the first line of response to maritime emergencies in Northern Alaska, the ability to share and provide a set of resources to support SAR operators is critical, particularly in a rapidly changing Arctic.
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Notes
- 1.
It is important to note regional differences exist regarding marine mammal populations. Changes in a marine mammal population in one area is not necessarily generalizable across the Arctic; for example, recorded declining polar bear population in the Hudson Bay area compared to increases seen in the polar bear population in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea area during similar periods of monitoring (Kovacs et al., 2011).
- 2.
MISLE reference number: 1089697, provided by USCG District 17 SAR Coordinator.
- 3.
Institutional Review Board Project Number: 1123309-1.
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Abdel-Fattah, D., Trainor, S., Kettle, N., Mahoney, A. (2022). (Research): Sea Ice Hazard Data Needs for Search and Rescue in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. In: Berkman, P.A., Vylegzhanin, A.N., Young, O.R., Balton, D.A., Øvretveit, O.R. (eds) Building Common Interests in the Arctic Ocean with Global Inclusion. Informed Decisionmaking for Sustainability. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89312-5_23
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