Sniffer drone searching for tanker pollution off Finisterre and beyond

The flights will provide additional, complementary means to SASEMAR in performing its roles of preventing and curbing pollution and controlling maritime traffic.

EMSA’s executive director, Maja Markovčić Kostelac underlined the significance of the operation.

“Back in May 2017, EMSA started out testing RPAS capabilities with SASEMAR as one of our key pioneering partners. It is only fitting that SASEMAR is able to capitalise on these services now – particularly for the vital coast guard role they play," she said.

“Four years down the line, we are pleased to see our RPAS services being used widely across Europe for maritime surveillance operations in everything from emissions monitoring and environmental protection to traffic control and search and rescue," Ms Kostelac added.

The aircraft being used is a CAMCOPTER S100 model, and it is under contract to EMSA from Schiebel Aircraft GmbH.

The drone has several features that make it particularly suitable for use in maritime patrols, including the ability to take off and land from an area smaller than 5m x 5m, flight endurance of over six hours and a range of more than 100 km.

Information is gathered on board from optical and infrared cameras as well as from an AIS receiver.

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