A cost benefit analysis for autonomous underwater vehicles for marine search and rescue operations

Murphy, A.J. and Landamore, M.J. (2009) A cost benefit analysis for autonomous underwater vehicles for marine search and rescue operations. In SURV7 - Surveillance, Search and Rescue Craft. The Royal Institution of Naval Architects. pp. 95-106 .

Abstract

This paper extends the work of the authors, Murphy et al, 2008 [1], in which the technical feasibility of using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for search capabilities in marine SAR scenarios is demonstrated. This paper examines previous SAR operations and assesses the potential contribution the addition of AUVs in a search capability could offer. The analysis is based on guidelines published in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual. Commercially available AUV specifications are assumed in the study, covering a range of systems exhibiting varying levels of technical sophistication. In addition the associated costs of AUVs are examined together with the costs of conventional search assets. A comparison between the identified benefits and associated costs is therefore made. In addition, issues relating to the introduction of novel and autonomous systems into safety critical roles are examined by the use of standard business analysis techniques such as market forces and segmentation, SWOT, and PESTLE analyses.

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