Sniffer drone deployed over Strait of Dover to measure ships’ emissions
France's Ministry of the Sea is deploying a sniffer drone in the Pas-de-Calais region, bordering the Strait of Dover, which is the world's busiest area for ship movements, to tighten control of ship emissions.
Sniffer drone deployed over Strait of Dover to measure ships' emissions
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has made the sniffer drone available to the French government.
The drone sniffing operations have started on September 23rd and will continue for three months.
The drone flights take off from the Regional Surveillance and Rescue Operational Center (CROSS) Gris-Nez. The center also serves as a logistical base and coordinates follow-up on the flights.
The sniffer drone will fly above the Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme, which is part of the North Sea Sulfur Emission Control Area (SECA). Tighter pollution monitoring rules apply in this area. Here, ships cannot use fuel with a sulfur concentration higher than 0.1% whereas in other areas the limitation is set at 0.5%.
The information collected from the drone (sulfur concentration, images, flight trajectory, and gas measurements) will be transmitted in real-time and recorded in EMSA's RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) data center, according to Marine Log. The data center is connected to THETIS-EU, a European database used by authorities around Europe responsible for ship inspections.
If the sniffer drone emission measurements indicate a breach of the concentration limit, a follow-up ship inspection is likely to take place at the next port of call. EU member states are informed of these breaches to facilitate coordination of ship inspections.
Stay in touch!
If you'd like to stay up to date with all the latest drone News, scoops, rumors, and reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or…
Subscribe to our Daily Drone News email.*
Submit tips If you have information or tips that you would like to share with us, feel free to submit them here. Support DroneXL.co: You can support DroneXL.co by using these links when you make your next drone purchase: Adorama, Amazon, B&H, BestBuy, eBay, DJI, Parrot, and Yuneec. We make a small commission when you do so at no additional expense to you. Thank you for helping DroneXL grow! FTC: DroneXL.co uses affiliate links that generate income.
* We do not sell, share, rent out or spam your email, ever. Our email goes out on weekdays around 5:30 p.m.
Photo: Nordic Unmanned
Get your Part 107 Certificate
Pass the test and take to the skies with the Pilot Institute. We have helped thousands of people become airplane and commercial drone pilots. Our courses are designed by industry experts to help you pass FAA tests and achieve your dreams.
FTC: DroneXL.co uses affiliate links that generate income.* We do not sell, share, rent out, or spam your email, ever. Our email goes out on weekdays around 5:30 p.m.
