The Potential for Using Very High Spatial Resolution Imagery for Marine Search and Rescue Surveillance

Abstract

Recreational boating activities represent one of the highest risk populations in the marine environment. Moreover, there is a trend of increased risk exposure by recreational boaters such as those who undertake adventure tourism, sport fishing/hunting, and personal watercraft (PWC) activities. When trying to plan search and rescue activities, there are data deficiencies regarding inventories, activity type, and spatial location of small, recreational boats. This paper examines the current body of research in the application of remote sensing technology in marine search and rescue. The research suggests commercially available very high spatial resolution satellite (VHSR) imagery can be used to detect small recreational vessels using a sub‐pixel detection methodology. The sub‐pixel detection method utilizes local image statistics based on spatio‐spectral considerations. This methodology would have to be adapted for use with VHSR imagery as it was originally used in hyperspectral imaging. Further, the authors examine previous research on ‘target characterization’ which uses a combination of spectral based classification, and context based feature extraction to generate information such as: length, heading, position, and material of construction for target vessels. This technique is based on pixel‐based processing used in generic digital image processing and computer vision. Finally, a preliminary recreational vessel surveillance system ‐ called Marine Recreational Vessel Reconnaissance (MRV Recon) is tested on some modified VHSR imagery.