Apr 18 2013
The Shannon Estuary off the coast of County Clare has become a key European test site for a range of highly advanced ‘smart technologies’ Marine Robots and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The University of Limerick is leading the integration and deployment of the underwater and aerial technologies, within this exercise as part of a European Research Collaboration NETMAR which has Irish, UK, French, Spanish and Portuguese partners.
The exercise is a first in terms of scale and use of robotic platforms as part of Ireland’s largest marine emergency response exercise to deal with a major environmental disaster.
The two-day exercise will replicate the exact scenario of a 43,000 tonne container ship ‘Marée Noire’ suffering hull damage when impacting with rock entering the Shannon Estuary due to loss of steering and floundering off the coast of Scattery Island. Smart remotely operated submarine vehicles (SROVs) developed by the Mobile and Marine Robotics Research Centre (MMRRC) at the University of Limerick and NETMAR partner platforms will be used to detect and monitor potential pollutants as a result of the accident and assess ship damage. These vehicles will be used to assess and relay sensor data, ultimately allowing for fast effective deployment of resources essential to contain oil spills in a safe manner.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) fitted with cameras will be launched over the stricken vessel to gather aerial data of oil spills and slicks. The use of the robotic submarine and aerial vehicles is expected to significantly enhance Irish and European response and containment strategies for similar real-time accidents.
Dr Daniel Toal, Research Leader at the MMRRC, University of Limerick, said “UL’s submarine ROV Latis allows us to safely explore the hull of the floundering vessel to assess damage and identify the potential leakage of oil or other dangerous chemicals using high resolution sonar and video imagery. These new ‘smart’ remotely operated vehicles also now include state-of-the-art control systems, precision navigation and positioning capabilities. This exercise will allow us to include the most up-to-date technology capabilities in marine emergency response scenarios in Ireland and across Europe.”
The exercise, which has been entitled ‘Cathach’ is being led and has been organised by the MMRRC at the University of Limerick, Shannon Foynes Port Company and Clare County Council. In line with existing state protocols, Clare County Council, with the assistance of SEA-PT, is coordinating the shoreline response. The Irish Coast Guard, in addition to their statutory oversight role of this response, are conducting the at-sea response on board the Commissioner of Irish Lights vessel ILV Granuaile. As the principal sea-going State agency, the Naval Service L.É. Orla, will provide the on-scene coordination role and the incident Command Centre will operate from ESB’s Moneypoint Generating Station in Co Clare.
On the second day of the exercise the Shannon search and rescue helicopter will assess the incident site and take water/oil samples. The Granuaile in co-ordination with participating tug boat the Celtic Rebel will deploy large boom equipment in an effort to contain and recover the ‘oil’ close to Querrin Strand. Shoreline response crews will begin clean-up operations on Querrin strand under the direction of Clare County Council.
Said Shannon Foynes Port Company CEO Patrick Keating: “Exercises such as this are critical and SFPC, which has statutory jurisdiction over all commercial maritime activities on the Shannon Estuary, has an important role to play in these. We have ambitious plans for growing throughput on the estuary and it is critical that such exercises are done so that we are prepared for any possible occurrence, however unlikely. We are delighted also that the estuary is the first European test site for such advanced technology for dealing with emergency responses as it reaffirms its status as an advanced commercial maritime location.”
Over 200 personal will be involved in the exercise representing a whole host of agencies involved in both technical and logistical roles. These include the National Parks and Wildlife service, Irish Aviation Authority; SmartBay, Marine Institute, Civil Defence, the ESB, the Naval Service Reserve, Environmental Management Services, Commnet, Wildlife Response team for Shannon Estuary, Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation, and Basline Surveys Ltd.