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Technology
Assessment & Research (TA&R) Program
| Project
Number |
136 |
| Date of Summary |
September 30, 1989 |
| Subject |
Shipboard Navigational Radar as
an Oil Spill Tracking Tool |
| Performing Activity |
Technology Assessment and Research Branch,
Minerals Management Service |
| Principal Investigator |
Mr. Edward J. Tennyson |
| Contracting Agency |
Minerals Management Service |
| Estimated Completion |
Complete |
| Description |
The major objective
of this study was to refine the use of existing shipboard navigational radar units to
detect and track oil spill slicks. This can be accomplished by modifying tuning procedures
so that the radar will accurately depict the short period wave field. |
| Progress |
Complete. The utility
of shipboard navigational radar as an oil spill tracking tool was evaluated in a wide
range of sea states during an intentional oil spill off Nova Scotia, in September 1987.
Specially tuned ship's radar onboard the Canadian Coast Guard Cutter `Mary Hitchens` was
able detect slicks of five barrels of spilled crude oil during periods of fog, rain, and
darkness. Slicks were detectable in winds ranging from less than 10 knots up to over 30
knots. There appeared to be a correlation between slick thickness and the ability for
radar detection. |
Reports |
AA (7 pages)
 |
Tennyson, E. J., Shipborne Radar
as an Oil Spill Tracking Tool, Proceedings of the Eleventh Arctic and Marine Oil Spill
Program Technical Seminar, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, pp. 385-390, June 7-9,
1988. |
| AB (4 pages)
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Tennyson, E. J., Shipborne
Navigational Radar as an Oil Spill Tracking Tool: A Preliminary Assessment, Oceans '88
Proceedings, Baltimore, Maryland, October 31-November 2, 1988. |
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