JRC - SAR Satellite Small Boat Detection Campaign – Portoroz - Slovenia
The European maritime area is one of Europe’s most important assets with regard to
resources, security and ultimately prosperity of the Member States. A significant part of Europe’s
economy relies directly or indirectly on it. It is not just the shipping or fisheries industries and
their related activities. It is also shipbuilding and ports, marine equipment and offshore energy,
maritime and coastal tourism, aquaculture, submarine telecommunications, blue biotech and the
protection of the marine environment. The European maritime area faces several risks and
threats posed by unlawful activities, such as drugs trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration,
organised crime and terrorism. Piracy in international waters also constitutes a threat to Europe
since it can disrupt the maritime transport chain. These risks and threats can endanger human
lives, marine resources and the environment, as well as significantly disrupt the transport chain
and global and local security. It is anticipated that these risks and threats will endure in the mid
and long run. In order to keep Europe as a world leader in the global maritime economy, an
effective integrated/interoperable, sustainable maritime surveillance system and situational
awareness are needed.
A significant number of unlawful maritime activities, such as illegal immigration, drugs
trafficking, smuggling, piracy and terrorism involve mainly small boats, because small boats are
faster and more difficult to detect using conventional means. Hence, it is very important to find
out the feasibility of using SAR Satellite images for small boat detection. Since 2008 the EC-JRC
has carried out a number of SAR Small Boat detection experiments to assess the feasibility of
using Spaceborne SAR for Small Boat detection. This report presents the results and conclusions
of the Spaceborne SAR Small Boat detection campaign carried out by the EC-JRC on open sea in
Portoroz – Slovenia in May and June 2010.
GONCALVES DA SILVA Vitor;
VAN WIMERSMA GREIDANUS Herman;
2012-02-22
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC66835
978-92-79-21476-9,
1831-9424,
EUR 24961 EN,
OP LB-NA-24961-EN-N,
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC66835,
10.2788/80252,
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