Asia/Pacific News
Singapore: MPA Unvails Drone Technology to Help Combat Bunker Spills
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) last week unveiled a prototype of a waterproof drone it says will be used to help combat bunker spills.
Known as the Water Spider, the drone will help assist with at sea oil spill assessments and was said to offer a number of advantages over traditional manned aircraft flyovers, including a faster deployment time.
MPA worked with local engineering firm HOPE Technik Pte Ltd (HOPE Technik) to develop the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which can be deployed from patrol boats and is also able to take off from and land on water.
According to Ng Kiang Loong, Project Director at HOPE Technik, while a typical drone can fly in winds of up to only 15 knots, the Water Spider's flying algorithm allows it to fly in gusty winds of up to 20 knots, or 10m per second.
The UAV, which will cost at least $10,000, is capable of a 150m view around the vessel to which it is tethered, said MPA.
"Using the UAV, we can have a comprehensive overview of the extent of the oil spill, and we can deploy our craft in a more efficient manner," said Captain Daknash Ganasen, Port Master and Deputy Director of Marine Operations at the MPA.
"From the surface, you have a limited line of sight, but with a UAV you can see further," Ganasen added.
Additionally, the MPA says the UAV will be equipped with both a regular 10x zoom and a thermal imaging camera, which will allow it to operate at night.
Bas Wiebe, General Manager of Singapore Oil Spill Response Centre, said drones can be deployed more quickly than traditional overflights by fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, as air space control can sometimes be restrictive.
"Singapore is a small country and you enter quite quickly into your neighbour's airspace. You may need clearances," said Wiebe.
Hope Technik stated that the UAV will undergo trials at sea soon and expects it to be ready by the third quarter of the year.
Andrew Tan, MPA Chief Executive, said the UAV is a part of Singapore's push to be a leader in maritime safety.
MPA in February announced that it would be working with ClassNK to cooperate on ship safety and sustainable technologies.
