Maritime technology firm,
Martek Marine, has been awarded a framework contract by the
European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) which deals with Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) services in the maritime environment.
The contract won by UK-headquartered Martek is specifically for ship engine emission monitoring by RPAS (drone). The EMSA's requirement is for an RPAS to sample gases from a vessel's emissions plume by using a sophisticated payload of electro-optical, infrared imaging, gas emission and AIS detection sensors.
According to Martek, its RPAS can be flown over 50 kilometres from the ground station beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), with instant and continuous video being streamed back to the ground station and member states. An onboard gas analyser draws samples of air and monitors SOx, NOx and CO2 levels to determine possible breaches in EU law on the sulphur content of a ship's fuel.
Martek says it has developed "a team of highly skilled technical experts, experienced pilots and a bespoke maritime unmanned helicopter specifically adapted to suit this application".
Development is said to be also underway to incorporate satellite command and control and payload data streaming, so the RPAS can operate in what is known as beyond radio line of sight (BRLOS), over 100 kilometres away. In order to operate effectively in the harsh maritime environment, the RPAS can withstand storm force wind and heavy rain, snow and salt spray, Martek Marine says.
Paul Luen, Martek Group CEO, explained: "We've worked hard and invested big to pioneer the maritime application of drone technology in the last three years. This EMSA contract allows us to combine our original 'world first' of ship SO2/CO2/NOx monitoring, with our unique drone platform to deliver another world first. We're determined to change the world using drones and this is the first of many applications which we intend to pioneer.
"We have made a real commitment to drone technology and envisage them bringing huge benefits to maritime operations and this tender allowed us to marry this capability with our world leading emissions monitoring pedigree."
