As the search for Michelle Vilborg continued throughout Wednesday, so too did the challenges faced by the U.S. Coast Guard in their search for the missing Bay Minette woman.

Coast Guard Lt. Matt Mitchell said that while it’s possible to pinpoint where a person goes into the water, that information is quickly clouded by a number of variables that can negatively affect  search attempts.

“There are two basic factors as far as changing our techniques when it comes to a search: wind and current,” Mitchell said. “As the case progresses, the area we search is larger. We knew exactly where she went into the water, but within a few minutes a small search area turned into an area 28 nautical miles wide.

“With our computer software there is a small amount of error that grows over time.”

Vilborg, 50, is believed to have gone overboard off the Carnival Holiday about 75 miles southwest of Pensacola, Fla., sometime Monday night. Reports have stated that a passenger on the ship heard a splash and notified personnel.

At approximately 11 p.m. on June 15, Coast Guard units heard an emergency person-in-the-water broadcast and “immediately launched rescue units,” a Coast Guard press release said.

The ship’s command was notified and immediately began search and rescue operations, returning the vessel to the location where the overboard was presumed to have occurred and lowering lifeboats to search.  A statement from Carnival Cruise Lines said that a cabin-by-cabin check was conducted which confirmed that Vilborg was missing.

Within minutes of receiving the broadcast, Mitchell said, the Coast Guard was able to pinpoint where Vilborg went into the water. By Wednesday morning, the search area had grown from that single point to an area 28 square miles wide.

In all, the Coast Guard searched more than 1,214 square miles of open ocean in the first 24 hours for Vilborg — an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.

Coast Guard units from Louisiana and Florida quickly began aiding Alabama units in the search for Vilborg, utilizing two ships, a helicopter, jet and rescue plane.

While a prolonged search may negatively affect rescue units’ chances of finding Vilborg, Mitchell said there is one factor that is working in the favor of Coast Guard units.

“There are a number of variables, but one key one is water temperature,” he said. “One positive aspect is that the water temperature right now is 83 degrees, and a person can survive longer in warmer water.”

The Holiday, which operates year-round out of Mobile, was on a five-day cruise to Cozumel, where the ship continued after being released by the Coast Guard.

Carnival said in its statement that it is providing support to Vilborg’s family and that their thoughts and prayers are with the family.