Unmanned Vehicles: A Promising Solution to Addressing Sea Pollution

Monitoring and controlling maritime pollution is critical, especially in countries with a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The CleanSeaNet satellite monitoring system, developed and implemented by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), plays a crucial role in the surveillance of potential hydrocarbons and hazardous substances spills in the ocean. When a potential oil spill is detected, the respective coastal state is alerted, allowing them to take the necessary operational and legal measures. The use of unmanned vehicles (aerial and surface) presents a promising solution to address sea pollution to reduce operational costs and improve response capabilities. The vast evolution in the field of unmanned vehicles allows easier integration and implementation of a network at a national level. A national network of unmanned vehicles can also be applied in other domains, such as surveillance in fire-prone areas of high risk. The analysis carried out shows that a national network of unmanned vehicles is a promising solution to address sea pollution.