Balloon Based Oil Spill Surveillance

Abstract

Abstract: Spill response vessels are currently guided by aircraft over flights and ability of the crew to see oil on the water. The aerial component can be limited by weather, daylight, and fuel capacity. Autonomous aircraft could provide a broader aerial operating window, but obtaining permits to fly the vehicles has been difficult. We present another approach to providing continuous aerial observations for spill response vessels. This approach is based on using a visible and infrared surveillance camera below a tethered balloon. This approach has simple permitting requirements: if deployed more than five miles from an airport and below 500 feet a permit is not required. It can remain airborne continuously. It transmits images to the mother ship and surrounding vessels. The cameras can be controlled by the mother ship. And it provides a means to view a large area around a vessel. We present a description of a system and results from field testing in Alaska. The system tested used off-the-shelf components...