BRG suggests search areas to professional organisations in addition to its own search activities and moves search areas from time to time based on requirements and logical considerations. Over the years, there have been some comments-relating to why BRG may be searching in a particular area or why BRG moves from area to area with the vast majority of these comments providing inaccurate conclusions and suggestions. With such comments, the key points we have published in this regard can easily be missed and It can be challenging to understand why we focus on one area and then another. This post will offer clarity to ‘why are they searching there?’.
Three areas, not one and not a ‘point’
We use an ‘area’ based approach rather than traditional ‘point’ or ‘small area’ type approaches. My research strongly suggests that it is indefensible to specify one point or small area where the missing persons and aircraft rest. Accordingly and based on robust research, I developed a three area approach: ‘Each area serves a purpose offering some stability whilst also allowing the smallest area to move as research and understanding progresses.’ and ‘From this, a simple tool is yielded allowing emergency services to easily allocate the appropriate resources to witness reports and search activities.’
The smallest area of interest, the Most Probable Area (MPA), suggests ‘the general area around and within the Gloucester Tops. This does not mean the Gloucester Tops alone as some people have stated and indeed my description of the MPA further defines the area: This Most Probable Area (MPA) broadly spans from the Kerripit River near Rawdon Vale down through the Gloucester River Valley to the Whispering Gulley, Upper Wangat River Valley and the Upper Chichester River Valley. Additionally, the Maximum Likely Extent (MLE) defines an area beyond the MPA which when coupled with other information can justify searches well away from the MPA.
So with the influences of other factors which will be described, we could be searching in the Whispering Gulley and Karuah River one year and the next year we could be near Gloucester Tops then in the following year we could be in the Upper Wangat.
Key point: areas of interest when considered from a ground search point of view are significant in size. One could be on the north side of the valley one year and on the south side the following year.
Efficiency of access
The aim is to move personnel efficiently as possible to and from the search area. At times we have less regard for efficiency and may apply resources differently however, efficiency of ingress and egress is a significant consideration to maximize search time and control fatigue. Now this is where the environment comes into play. Access track conditions can and have varied greatly in relatively short time with tracks we have easily used in the past grown over completely in a relatively quick time resulting in an unusable track.
A classic example was a track we used regularly pre-COVID19 pandemic which by post pandemic was totally overgrown which significantly affected our task. Accordingly, I suggested to move away from that area for a while and to move to another area with easier access unless there is a specific reason to endure the extra access time. An example of a specific reason is other strong evidence that justifies search. We will eventually go back to the area at a later time (and have) when the track is clearer. On the other hand we are more than happy to labour our way through the overgrown areas if needed. It is the nature of the operation that determines if it is worth proceeding or avoiding.
Key point: ingress and egress efficiency is an important consideration.
Opportunities
From time to time, nature offers opportunities to make searching more efficient. A significant bushfire occurred within the MPA which wiped out most understory vegetation in that particular area. The area was not as important as other areas within the MPA but the decision was made to shift resources away from other search areas and apply maximum resources to search the bushfire area whilst accessibility and visual searching was simple and highly efficient.
Search operation objectives
Some searches by organisations have additional objectives to searching that must be met. The area of operations can support or deny the achievement of these additional objectives. Accordingly, search areas will move to accommodate these objectives. Examples include rescue scenarios, new operator induction and direction by authorities to avoid particular areas at that particular time.
Safety
I have also recommended search area changes to enhance safety. For instance, search areas have been setup to allow for faster emergency team access. A recent search area was changed at short notice to avoid the crossing of flooding watercourses. Many search areas have been changed due to high winds as falling branches and trees pose a significant risk. There are many reasons to move search areas from year to year or even day to day (as has occured) due to safety considerations.
Sub-theories / other intelligence
Within the MPA, we target particular areas based on sub-theories (e.g. aircraft flew on in this direction, corroborated loosely by information xx etc. so impact was likely at xx) and other intelligence. The process then is to put a case together to justify the search operation which focuses on this specific information and intelligence. This does not change the three areas of interest but rather, is using these areas as they should be to justify search operations. This coupled with the other factors mentioned results in moving between particular locations. Note that it can and has taken years to ‘close out’ such areas of interest.
Previous Searches
There are many areas of the Barrington Wilderness Area where previous search operations have been conducted. Unfortunately, search records are questionable in accuracy so we are progressively sifting through information and debriefing people that had actually participated in these searches and we will post these areas on our website. Some areas such as the Whispering Gulley and Upper Williams River Valley have had substantial search activities so our search operations whilst still active in these areas are not as significant until the search record analysis of the area is at an adequate level.
In ending
Search operations require more than passion and brute effort. BRG have methodical and defensible methods to employing resources and also care for the environment. The featured topography of the area of interest provides significant logistical and planning challenges which generate dependencies that one must flow with rather than fight. BRG lead or suggested search activities are based on logical considerations to result in minimal resource wastage and maximum effect. From time to time search operations have and will move location in concert with the influences mentioned above with a robust logic applied.
Glenn S.