Presentation
Evaluation of multi-copter UAS performances in maritime pollution events through an integrated approach during fields trials with real HNS
SessionSpill Surveillance Assets
DescriptionThe IRA-MAR project for "improving the integrated response to pollution accident at sea and chemical risk in port" is co-funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations - DG-ECHO and led by SGMer. The project aims to support Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Portugal and Tunisia in improving preparedness for marine pollution events through an integrated approach to response, both at sea, on the shoreline and in ports. One objective of the project is to test the use of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to improve monitoring, detection and response capabilities to various pollutants in maritime pollution events.
To do so, field tests using multi-copter Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) were conducted in Cedre artificial pool tanks with release of real pollutants in 2023. During one week, drone pilots from French and Italian fire-fighters, and two private companies have operated different types of commercial multi-copter UAS. These participants have deployed different types of multi-copter drones to assess their flight capacities and payload sensors such as optical camera, acquiring images at various time of the day. Different additional equipment has been mounted and tested on drones such as remote sensors, in-situ sensors or chemical-specific test strips. Different flight configurations such as distance, altitude or angle of observation, optimal conditions to make relevant observations have been defined for each type of pollutant.
A homemade sampling device was designed and fixed on a platform, the whole system being light enough to be lifted by a drone. Some tests were successfully performed to check the ability of the drone to fly with the sampling platform, land it on surface water, operate sampling at different depths using a chemical resistant peristaltic pump and bring back contaminated water for further analyses.
To reflect reality found in case of incident, incomplete information has been provided and pilots had to make an entire survey to obtain required data. The objectives of the survey included monitoring of the pollutant and collecting information from the surrounding environment, including drawing up inventory of dead fauna. To complete integrated approach, observations made with drones has been transmitted in real time and reported through the GIS tool CRIMSON used by French civil protection and displayed in the field crisis room.
Main outputs and lessons learned from observations during these experimentations, reflecting real conditions found during accidental incident, have be translated into procedures and good practices to make observations with drones.
To do so, field tests using multi-copter Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) were conducted in Cedre artificial pool tanks with release of real pollutants in 2023. During one week, drone pilots from French and Italian fire-fighters, and two private companies have operated different types of commercial multi-copter UAS. These participants have deployed different types of multi-copter drones to assess their flight capacities and payload sensors such as optical camera, acquiring images at various time of the day. Different additional equipment has been mounted and tested on drones such as remote sensors, in-situ sensors or chemical-specific test strips. Different flight configurations such as distance, altitude or angle of observation, optimal conditions to make relevant observations have been defined for each type of pollutant.
A homemade sampling device was designed and fixed on a platform, the whole system being light enough to be lifted by a drone. Some tests were successfully performed to check the ability of the drone to fly with the sampling platform, land it on surface water, operate sampling at different depths using a chemical resistant peristaltic pump and bring back contaminated water for further analyses.
To reflect reality found in case of incident, incomplete information has been provided and pilots had to make an entire survey to obtain required data. The objectives of the survey included monitoring of the pollutant and collecting information from the surrounding environment, including drawing up inventory of dead fauna. To complete integrated approach, observations made with drones has been transmitted in real time and reported through the GIS tool CRIMSON used by French civil protection and displayed in the field crisis room.
Main outputs and lessons learned from observations during these experimentations, reflecting real conditions found during accidental incident, have be translated into procedures and good practices to make observations with drones.
Event Type
Paper
TimeThursday, May 16th8:40am - 9:00am CDT
Location298-299
Preparedness