Use Mathematics and Computer to Predict Boat’s Drift for Search and Rescue

Finding a boat in wind and current is an age old problem that puzzled many people throughout history. It is only until recently a simple theory is developed to allow efficient and accurate prediction of the boat’s drift trajectory. Such theory could be developed using simple physics and algebra. In this paper, we will describe the derivation of the theory that would give the boat’s trajectory in terms of different types of boat condition under given wind field and current field. We will show that the relationship is versatile, and could be used for practical application. We will further implement the results in computer animation setting so that the results can be obtained easily for a given application. The paper demonstrates the power of mathematics and technology to solve problem of boat drift of search and rescue.