40 Proceedings Spring 2025 detectability testing: fluorescent red, fluorescent orange, fluorescent pink, and fluorescent green.39 The RDC has developed an experimental plan for upcoming field tests to determine and validate optimally visible color(s) that aid in the detection of search targets across a variety of marine environmental conditions. Experimental colors will be assessed using both subjective and objective mea- sures, using the detectability of current Coast Guard- approved lifesaving equipment colors as the baseline. As previously discussed, the background color of a maritime environment can change due to a host of fac- tors. The sheer number of variables indicates that no single color is the most detectable in every scenario. However, colors can be evaluated for optimum detect- ability in specific environmental conditions as well as over the broadest range of conditions. Field testing is ongoing and scheduled to conclude in summer 2025. The data and associated analysis obtained from field tests will be provided to CG-ENG-4 to inform future Coast Guard lifesaving equipment regulation and policy reviews and will be made available to global stakeholders. About the author: Joshua Pennington served 22 years in the Coast Guard as a casualty and accident investigator, commercial vessel inspector, and marine safety engineer. He continues maritime safety improvement efforts through lifesaving equipment and fire protection research. Endnotes: 1. Lifesaving Equipment. (2021). Title 46 CFR § 160. U.S. Government Publishing Office. Retrieved from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2021- title46-vol6/pdf/CFR-2021-title46-vol6-part160.pdf 2. Halsey, R., Curtis, C., & Farnsworth, D. (1955). Field Study of Detectability of Colored Targets. New London: U.S. Naval Medical Research Laboratory. 3. IMO. (2023, April 19). International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974. 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Standard Guide to Properties of High Visibility Materials Used to Improve Individual Safety. West Conshohocken, PA, USA: ASTM International. 12. CIE. (2004). CIE 15:2004. Vienna: International Commission on Illumination. 13. IALA [n.d.]. (2023, May 9). Chromaticity. Retrieved from International Dictionary of Marine Aids to Navigation web site: https://www.iala-aism. org/wiki/dictionary/index.php/Chromaticity 14. ANSI/ISEA. (2020, September 8). ANSI/ISEA 107-2020. American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel. Arlington, VA, USA: International Safety Equipment Association. 15. Ibid 16. Rankin, A., & Matthies, L. (2010). Daytime water detection based on color variation. 2010 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (pp. 215-221). Taipei: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi:10.1109/IROS.2010.5650402 17. Itti, L., & Koch, C. (2001). Computational modelling of visual attention. Nature reviews. 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The control of single-colour and multiple-colour visual search by attentional templates in working memory and in long-term memory. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 28(12), 1947- 1963. doi:https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01020 28. Menneer, T., Cave, K. R., Kaplan, E., Stroud, M. J., Chang, J., & Donnelly, N. (2019). The relationship between working memory and the dual-target cost in visual search guidance. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 45(7), 911-935. doi:https://psycnet.apa.org/ doi/10.1037/xhp0000643 29. Kerzel, D., & Grubert, A. (2022). Capacity limitations in template-guided multiple color search. Psychonomic Bulletin Review, 29(3), 901-909. doi:https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-021-02040-6 30. Liu, T., & Jigo, M. (2017). Limits in feature-based attention to multiple colors. Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, 79, 2327-2337. doi:https://doi. org/10.3758/s13414-017-1390-x 31. Stroud, M. J., Menneer, T., Cave, K. R., & Donnelly, N. (2012). 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Degradation of fluorescent high-visibility colors used in safety garments for the Austrailian railway industry. Journal of Safety Research, 56, 1-7 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2015.11.008 38. NFPA. (2016). Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. NFPA 1901. Quincy, MA, USA: National Fire Protection Association. 39. Pennington, J., & Peterson, J. (2023). Lifesaving Equipment Colors; Literature Review. New London: United States Coast Guard Research & Development \ Center. Retrieved from https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/trecms/pdf/AD1208938.pdf
