Oil Spill module applications
SeaDarQ oil spill detection module is currently supplied to a major player in oil spill response in Europe - European Marine Safety Agency (EMSA). Our solution is approved worldwide for its accuracy and sensitivity, which allows to optimize prevention and minimise damage in the environment caused by oil pollution.
- Continuous monitoring oil spills during the day and night
- Spill Area Determination
To determine the area of the spill, SeaDarQ has developed a polygon, which can be drawn around the slick and detail the affected surface in square km or nautical miles. When using this tool during an incident, the appropriate clean up
equipment can be directed to the most efficient location, thus reducing environmental disturbance. Geostationary vertices of the polygon and the possibility to project maps and charts underneath the radar screen allow operators to precisely direct the recovery vessels. The data delivered by the system can be integrated in a VTMS, transmitted to an aircraft or projected on a webserver. The mouse position on the screen provides real time data such as latitude, longitude, distance to the antenna and bearing. This information
is available as output and can be used to control other sensors or
equipment, such as cameras.
- Prediction of drift
An oil slick will drift with the wind and the currents. Because the software also inputs the GPS information, the time history of the slick position(s) can be calculated and predictions of future movement can be provided to the operator. The SeaDarQ software measures surface currents with unlimited number of points, 360 degrees around the antenna and adjusts the grid of measuring points from 100 by 100 meters to 1000 by 1000 meters. This simplifes the planning and organization of the clean-up operation and can save time and resources at critical stages of the oil recovery campaign.
- Sensitivity
To maximize the sensitivity of the system and increase the spatial resolution, a short pulse radar with fast turning, vertically polarized antenna should be used. Early detection and fast recovery are key elements and tests have shown the system to be capable of detection quantities as small as 5 litres.
- Range
Detection range is dependent upon the radar type and the height of the antenna above the water surface. We specify a minimum height of 15 meters. Output power and input sensitivity of the radar, and water and weather conditions can also influence the detection range. As a guideline, the minimum detection range during poor weather conditions is 2 km.
- Storage/Monitoring the evolution of oil spills
Real time storage from raw radar lines is available to reproduce circumstances exactly during an oil spill or a cleaning operation. The SeaDarQ functionality is capable of operating on this recorded data allowing access to surface current and wave information used for prediction of drift. The position of the vessel, its heading and AIS information are stored real time within the data enabling circumstances to be reproduced. A snap shot function is also available to store screen images. These images, which can be presented as a layer, can be stored automatically in adjustable time frames, in a geo tiff format.
