MONITORING

Very high resolution satellite data is a core component of marine monitoring services, and provides a cost-effective method for monitoring large and remote areas. It is sufficiently detailed to enable:

• Identification of individual vessels
• Detection of illegal fishing
• Detection of pollution such as oil spills
• Validation of AIS data
• Detection of coastal erosion
• Identification of algal blooms

Bathymetry

Monitoring change in coastal regions is critical to marine navigation and development, and an important parameter is water depth. Reflectance values from 8-band multispectral imagery is a non-invasive and extremely cost-effective tool for bathymetry in water depths up to 15 m. Bathymetric data supports:

• Updating navigational maps
• Marine habitat and benthic ecosystems monitoring
• Assessment of at-risk properties or infrastructure
• Classification of marine habitats
• Oceanographic research (especially in remote areas)

Vessel Identification

Marine vessel surveillance is crucial for maritime safety and environmental protection. When a ship has stopped transmitting an AIS location signal, it could be for a number of suspicious reasons.

When an organisation needs to locate or confirm the identity of a vessel at sea, tipping and cueing services and vessel detection software are the essential tools. Ships can be located in large areas of ocean using Synthetic-aperture Radar (SAR) satellite data and then carefully analysed used VHR optical satellite data to determine details such as vessel type, accurate measurements and identifying features.

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To See the Sea: Achieving Total Maritime Awareness Using Satellite Imagery

The definitive guide to acquiring and using satellite imagery in the maritime sector.

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