Which combination correctly describes a typical SS search?

• A. First leg in the direction of the object's drift; turn 90 degrees to the right; track spacing +1nm every two legs
• B. First leg opposite the object's drift; turn 120 degrees to the left; track spacing +2 nm every leg
• C. First leg in the direction of the object's drift; turn 60 degrees to the right; track spacing +3 nm every two legs
• D. First leg perpendicular to drift; turn 90 degrees to the left; track spacing +1 nm every leg

Answer: (A)

When searching a drifting surface object, you want your search lanes to intersect the area where the object is likely to drift, while keeping the pattern systematic and densely covered. Starting the first leg in the same direction as the object's drift aligns your sweep with how the target is moving, so the drift doesn’t pull the object out of your search corridor between lanes. A 90-degree turn afterward creates a ladder-like sweep that crosses the drift path, ensuring you cover the area effectively rather than just tracing a single line that the object could ride away from. Keeping track spacing at 1 nautical mile every two legs provides enough overlap between lanes to maintain a high probability of detection as the target drifts.

Starting off opposite the drift, or perpendicular to it, or using a wider spacing or an unconventional turning angle, tends to leave gaps where the object could drift between lanes or move out of the search corridor, making detection less likely.