Validation and Testing

Multiple tests using the SeaDarQ oil spill detection system have proven the ability to successfully identify oil spills under a range of different weather conditions.

In particular, the SeaDarQ system was used during the 'Prestige' incident in 2002 off the North Western coast of Spain. During this spill, the weather was extremely bad and there was no airborne support to assist the vessels in locating the oil. Further, due to the poor visibility, it was nearly impossible for the crew on board the cleaning vessels to detect and track the oil.

Only one vessel, of the North Sea Directorate of  Rijkswaterstaat (RWS-DNZ) was equipped with a preliminary radar with an oil slick detection capability from SeaDarQ and was able to continue and direct cleaning operations. Even small slicks of 4 by 5 meters of oil were visible despite the strong swell and Atlantic conditions. The two Rijkswaterstaat vessels together removed around 80 percent of the total gathered oil, thus demonstrating the huge advantages the SeaDarQ system has over conventional methods for detecting oil and aiding cleaning operations.

Oil spill in Atlantic

SeaDarQ has also been used and has proved successful in other practical oil spill situations, such as the 'Tricolour' in the French Channel in 2002, and 'The Margaret' which sank outside the breakwater of La Spezia's port in Italy in 2005. Further, it has successfully detected oil slicks in The Mediterranean, The Baltic, The Atlantic and Persian Gulf. As an example, SeaDarQ has completed a number of oil spill tests in the United Arab Emirates. The range of the SeaDarQ system detecting these spills varied from 1 nautical miles to 3 nautical miles, and the amount of oil released ranged from 10 litres to 50 litres. It is important to note that the planned released oil spills for testing of the SeaDarQ system in this case took place during calm conditions at the height of the summer. During the winter and more rough wave conditions, the range for detecting oil spills will be increased.

Testing and validation of the SeaDarQ oil spill detection system have demonstrated and proved the system is capable of identifying:

  • Radiagreen
  • Diesel
  • Ifo 30
  • Fuel oil
  • Kerosine
  • Norwegian crude oil
  • Bilge water
  • Marine diesel
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