If it is anything like the search program used by the UKCG a few years ago, it was good for open sea drift assessments but was very poor at local and coastal predictions.
You can't blame the crew if they were sent to search the wrong area.
I know one of coxwains of a Scottish lifeboat, he would agree with your statement today Crab. Crews go where the coastguard tell them their part of the search area is.