Frank... I cant remember the year, but I remember watching a 7.30 report or was it 4 corners ??...where the Pads system was examined and showed footage of air drops... the line falling across the target, disabled boat,etc. Plenty of 'talking heads' and chat.
ABC archives may have that in their 'video vault' still.
Laurie G was trying to convince ? that this was a viable and easy to use sysytem.
Who was responsible for SAR in those days.? CASA, or a div of?
I do well remember the cock-up supreme and the death of the pilot in Bass Strait... with slavish following of "The Manual" leading to the fatality.
See Dick Smith's excellent documentary "Search Without Resue"
Very scary, is the bureaucratic mind.
ATC out of CNS tried a 'radio signal strength 'find' of a lost C206 in '84? without any outcome after some hours. TVL radar 20 mins south..que?
That would also make a VERY sobering doco.
In aviation, one needs to follow the Scouts' maxim.. Be Prepared -Yourself.
Others might not be.
Happy hunting.!