SeadarQ Oil Spill Detection System

SeaDarQ has developed in close cooperation with the Dutch Ministry of traffic and watermanagement a system to detect, monitor and predict the movement of oil slicks and sheens. By taking data from an X band navigation or VTS radar SeaDarQ can detect and continuously monitor oil spills throughout the day and night and has been proven with radiagreen, diesel, ifo 30, fuel oil, Norwegian crude oil, bilge water and marine diesel. SeaDarQ has been used in practical oil spill situations including The Prestige, Tricolor, and Margaret
and has been proven to detect oil slicks in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Atlantic under all kinds of weather conditions.
The size, form and location of slicks is provided and this data can be stored as images. Tests have validated that amounts less than 10 litres and areas of 5 square metres can be detected.

Prediction

The prediction of the drift and movement of the slick is essential for an efficient clean up operation. As currents are mainly (95%) responsible for the drift and movement of slicks SeaDarQ can measures the surface current 360 degrees around the antenna. The resolution of the area where the current is measured is adjustable from 100 to 1000 meters with current measurement available on 4 locations chosen by the user. Such features provide a highly accurate prediction of the drift and movement of the slick thus enabling precautions to be taken during the clean up operation. If the weather conditions are such that current can not be measured the drift in time is the parameter to predict the movement of the slick.

Storage

A snap shot function is available to store screen images. These images can also be stored automatically in adjustable time frames. The images are stored in a geo tiff format. These images can also presented as a layer. In this way the development of the slick in time, the direction and form changes can be compared and monitored in time.
There is also a storage provided for the raw radar lines. This function provides a way to reconstruct the circumstances during a spill or cleaning operation. If radar radar lines are stored, land water borders, current, water depth and wave information can be made available. Within the storage format all the information which is fed into the system like heading GPS AIS time and speed is available for
later use. This can be used as legal evidence in case of illegal spillages or accidents.

The format is chosen in a way that it extremely difficult to alter the data and is not available to anyone. With a viewer the data can be read and displayed on any computer.

Polygon

A polygon can be drawn around the slick detailing the surface area in sqKM. It is so possible to project maps, navigation, and radar information on the display and mix colours in several ways. The points of the polygon are geo stationary and can be uploaded or downloaded from a GIS VTMS or aircraft through a network connection. The data delivered by the system can be integreted in a VTMS
system. Only the data is transmitted thus keeping connection fast and lowcost. The mouse position on the screen provides real time data such as latitude, longitude, distance to the antenna and bearing on the screen. This information is available as output and can be used to control other sensors or equipment such as cameras .

Hardware

The hardware consists of a standard server computer with a high sustained storage capacity and an interface. The interface provides the connection to the radar, AIS and if applicable the ships navigation instruments. The interface is designed to serve as many radar brands as possible. Four NMEA inputs are available and for each input an output is provided for signal throughput. Each radar line is stored with all the information about location azimuth, AIS, heading, time on disk.

A modification of the antenna is carried out to improve the detection range and sensitivity. 7 years of experiments has proven that a vertical polarised antenna is far superior over a horizontal polarised antenna. Some types of oil or sheens are only detectable with a VV antenna. TNO has designed this antenna. The antenna
characteristic meets the highest standards and will improve in most cases the results of the standard antenna.

Range

The detection range depends on the antenna height above the water surface and the used Radar type. The recommended height is 10 meters and upwards above the water surface. Placing the antenna higher will improve the range enormous. Other conditions that can influence the range are output power and input sensitivity of the radar and water and weather conditions. Also the differences
in water and air temperature can influence the range. In general: antenna as high as possible and the longer the better. The better the radar, the better the result.

Map

It is possible to have a map as a layer under the radar and Oil Spill image. This requires an additional computer and display. The
display can be eliminated if a computer switch is used.. The map system operates separate from the SeaDarQ system. All the
adjustments made in the map system will be visible on the SeaDarQ screen.

Web Server

SeaDarQ can provide the system with a web server and make the data available on the web. The system can be controlled remotely
and the data or images can be made available to multiple users. Acces can be password controlled.

Radar Requirements

X band radar. Eight feet antenna, operating in short pulse or medium pulse mode; a vertical polarised antenna. Minimum output power
25 kw. And if available a low noise amplifier input.

Connection Diagram:

Specifications:

SeaDarQ has been used in conjunction with many radar brands and types including:

• Furuno
• JRC
• Northrop Grumman
• Raytheon
• Terma
• Kelvin Huhges
• Gem