Unmanned Aircraft to Collect North Sea Data
Maritime safety organisations bordering the southern North Sea and English Channel will collect data through unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) in a European project launched today. When completed in 2014, the cost-effective aircraft could be used by police and ports to manage offshore emergencies, as well as traffic and inspections.
The ambitious 3i project aims to create a new cross-border tool using UAVs that will fly beyond the line of sight, operated by onshore staff. To operate within the complicated North Sea offshore airspace, which involves significant helicopter traffic, the aircraft will likely require a new set of rules from civil aviation authorities – reflecting similar moves by the US FAA. According to Allyn Thomas, member of a European Commission working group on the subject, one of the project’s key challenges will be to build public confidence in the value of the aircraft.
At the project kickoff held in the Dutch municipality of Woensdrecht, the Port of Rotterdam’s Head of Harbour Master’s Policy Department Jan Gardeitchik said he was enthusiastic about the possibilities. “Having a bird’s eye view of the port areas (including 60km out to sea) can help us stay the world class port we are.”
3i is an acronym for Integrated Coastal Zone Management via Increased situational awareness through Innovations on Unmanned Aircraft Systems. With a budget of EUR 3.7 million, the project involves organisations from the Netherlands, UK, France and Belgium. Lead partner in the project is Delft University of Technology from the Netherlands. The University of Southampton in the UK will design the aircraft, based on security scenarios provided by among others the Port of Rotterdam, the Dutch Police and Kent Police. The project will be based in the Woensdrecht, home to a large aviation maintenance industry.
The 3i project is part of the 2 Seas Programme.
Image: Bart Remes from the Delft University of Technology demonstrated a UAV at the launch of the 3i project. (Photo by John Gauldie, Yellow and Finch Publishers)