An underwater search conducted by divers who remain in contact with a rope marking the search line. Each time a diver reaches an end of the rope, that end is moved in a set direction. The divers may start together or at opposite ends of the rope
To some extent the grid search has superseded the jackstay search in open water, since the latter requires many more ropes to be laid on the seabed. For a detailed search of a small area, however, the jackstay search has much to commend it.