Is it possible to rescue allied survivors when it's not been assigned as a mission?
 

I submerged to avoid incoming aircraft and when I resurfaced 10 minutes later I noticed a hazy red cloud on the water.



Curious, I investigated it using the external camera and spotted a life raft filled with what looks like allied survivors. Having some time to kill before sundown I tried to navigate close enough to rescue them but no matter how close I got I couldn't surface and spot them from the bridge (though I did see that red cloud)



Again, checking the external camera they appeared quite close to where the red cloud was. I even got their boat to appear on my nav map a few times but no visual joy when surfaced.



Was I chasing will-o-the-wisps? Were they rescuable?

I have experienced the same situation when starting a FOTRSU single mission (Aleutians), I have submerged when my radar spotted 2 planes, and afterwards I had 2 blue squares on the map, a 1-man boat and a 'Survivor'. I had then to save/quit. So I guess that if I can take the survivor onboard this will respond to your question. There is a dedicated symbol in the menu to pick-up survivors, at least in the FOTRSU mod. I will report here to tell if I succeed picking the guy up.




XS

If you are using v1.004, then it is very difficult at times to pick-up the liferafts. The "Survivors", aka: pilot in the water, are much easier to pick-up, and only the water currents will take them. What happens with the liferaft is that it is not configured correctly in v1.004a, and there are times where Ahead Flank cannot catch them... :doh: - but, in theory, you can pick them up. You do not get points for it, only the satifaction that you rescued another cartoon character, and Jessica will thank you later... ahem. :salute: