Water Mapping has developed a plan of assessment of remote sensing technology (by level of observation) for effective response and assessment of oil spills throughout each Area Contingency Plans.

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• Sea level observing tools for characterization of oil spill

These tools often provide a level of validation and quantification of the types of oils and level of thicknesses and weathering. This level of remote sensing observations tools are crucial for contingency operations planning and are carried out generally directly from vessels of opportunity participating on the response.

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• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

The next level of remote sensing tools that are being rapidly implemented by USCG, NOAA, BSEE, and all responders are UAS. We need to determine how different UAS platforms will be used depending on the size, location, and progression of an oil spill and the Area Contingency Plans.

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• Aerial Remote Sensing

The higher altitude of aerial remote sensing provide an extra level of monitoring. These tools have been highly updated on recent years and we will assess their implementation as part of the strategies for the Area Contingency Plans.

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• Satellite Remote Sensing

Recent developments on satellite remote sensing detection of oil spills have been achieved on recent work sponsored by BSEE. We will incorporate our lessons learned on satellite remote sensing and will be implemented respectively by region of interests and Area Contingency Plans. For example, algorithms developed for detection of oil spills on the artic are different than those applied on the GOM.

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