Improving the preparedness against an oil spill: Evaluation of the influence of environmental parameters on the operability of unmanned vehicles.

When an oil spill occurs, a prompt response reduces significantly the impact. The preparedness and contingency plans are essential to identify the most appropriate technologies. Unmanned and autonomous vehicles (UAVs) is emerging as a powerful tool of strategic potential in the observation, oil tracking and damage assessment of an oil spill. The SpilLess project explored the suitability of these devices to be the first-line response to an oil spill. This work analyses the operational requirements related to environmental parameters following a two steps approach: 1) Environmental characterization from long wind and waves time series and modelling; 2) Definition of the optimal periods for operating each UAVs. We have defined the periods in which each of these facilities acts best, confirming that the operational limits of UAVs are not significantly more restrictive than the traditional operations. UAVs should be included in contingency plans as available tools to fight against oil spills. • Unmanned vehicles (UAVs) increasingly used for coastal management over the last decade. • Adaptation of UAVs as an innovative technology for helping in the spreading microbial consortia and nutrients in an oil spill. • Operational conditions analysis to define the suitability of UAVs on clean-up operations. • Broad operative windows related to wind and sea state conditions in the NW Iberia • UAVs present similar weather limitations than others classical clean-up methodologies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]