engleski

Monitoring oil polluting vessels through the integration of satellite technology

Oil spills cause damage to the marine environment. Such oil spills originate from landbased or sea-based sources. Sea-based sources are discharges coming from ships or offshore platforms. Among the different tools for monitoring such oil spills are the use of airplanes and images from satellites equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The first challenge of this thesis will be to apply a holistic approach to the problem of monitoring sea-based oil pollution. In particular, legal, scientific and operational aspects related to this issue will be analyzed. A brief introduction “what is oil pollution?” is presented in the 1st chapter. This information is not exhaustive and is based on the results of various studies, opinions in the field, and reports appearing in the open scientific literature. The aim of this brief informative section on the problem of marine oil pollution and its effects on the environment is to introduce the ratio which supports the legal system and why attention to this subject should be given. In the 2nd chapter, we aim to analyze the international legislation in the field of monitoring and response to marine oil pollution. The main texts presented are the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as amended by the Protocol of 1978 thereto (MARPOL 73/78) and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). To complete the international framework, and with specific reference for European Countries, also the recent European legislation is presented. Special attention is given to the prosecution of polluting vessels. The main legal problem is the coordination and integration of the two principles on jurisdiction which co-exist: the nationality of the ship and the geographical position of the ship. The research in the 3rd, 4th and 5th chapters is mainly based on the use of satellite imagery. The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) on board satellites can be used to detect oil films on sea surfaces. In the 3rd chapter, this thesis will try to demonstrate how scientific research on the use of satellite imagery could provide relevant information on the long term monitoring of oil spills in the European seas.

oil polluting vessels

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