Introduction

The vast expanse of our marine and coastal environments is a critical asset, vital for global trade, ecological balance, and human well-being. However, these areas face escalating threats from illegal activities such as smuggling, unauthorized fishing, and human trafficking, alongside environmental challenges like pollution, coastal erosion, and marine habitat degradation. Traditional surveillance methods, including manned patrols and satellite imagery, often prove insufficient due to high costs, limited coverage, or lack of real-time responsiveness, creating significant gaps in effective monitoring. The revolutionary advent of drones (Unmanned Aerial Systems - UAS) has transformed marine and coastal surveillance, offering an unprecedented ability to conduct safe, efficient, and highly detailed observations from an aerial perspective. Equipped with high-resolution visual cameras, thermal sensors, and advanced payload options, drones can rapidly cover extensive areas, identify suspicious activities, detect pollutants, map coastal changes, and provide crucial data for law enforcement, environmental protection, and scientific research. This essential training course focuses on Marine & Coastal Surveillance using Drones, empowering professionals to master this cutting-edge technology for enhanced maritime security and environmental stewardship.

This intensive training course provides a comprehensive and practical guide to integrating drone technology into marine and coastal surveillance operations. Participants will gain hands-on experience with drone selection for maritime environments, mastering advanced flight planning over water and dynamic coastal zones, and effectively utilizing specialized sensors for data collection (e.g., thermal for night operations, zoom for detailed identification). We will delve into data acquisition strategies, efficient data processing methodologies, and the interpretation of surveillance findings to detect vessels, track individuals, identify spills, and monitor coastal erosion. By mastering the operational workflows, technical skills, and data analysis crucial for drone-based marine and coastal surveillance, you will be equipped to conduct highly efficient, accurate, and safe missions, ultimately contributing to maritime security, environmental protection, and informed decision-making in dynamic coastal regions.

Target Audience

• Maritime Security Agencies (Coast Guard, Navy, Border Patrol)
• Port & Harbor Security Personnel
• Marine Law Enforcement
• Environmental Protection Agencies
• Marine Biologists & Oceanographers
• Coastal Zone Managers
• Search & Rescue (SAR) Teams
• Drone Service Providers in Maritime Sector

Course Objectives

• Understand the diverse applications of drones in marine and coastal surveillance.
• Identify suitable drone platforms and specialized sensors for various maritime operational needs.
• Master advanced drone flight planning and execution techniques for over-water and coastal environments.
• Learn to capture high-resolution visual and thermal imagery for identifying vessels, individuals, and illicit activities.
• Apply drone data for pollution detection (e.g., oil spills, waste) and environmental monitoring.
• Understand how to utilize drone photogrammetry for coastal erosion monitoring and mapping.
• Explore the use of drones for search and rescue (SAR) operations in maritime settings.
• Develop strategies for real-time data transmission and integration with command centers.
• Implement stringent safety protocols and risk mitigation strategies for drone operations in dynamic marine environments.
• Understand maritime regulations and legal considerations for drone surveillance.
• Design a comprehensive drone program for marine and coastal surveillance.

DURATION

10 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Introduction to Marine & Coastal Surveillance

• Challenges of traditional marine and coastal monitoring methods.
• The transformative role of drones in enhancing maritime domain awareness.
• Overview of drone applications: anti-smuggling, illegal fishing, environmental spills, SAR.
• Importance of real-time intelligence in dynamic coastal zones.
• The future of integrated maritime surveillance systems with drones.

Module 2: Drone Platforms for Maritime Operations

• Characteristics of drones suitable for marine environments: water resistance (IP rating), wind resistance, long flight time.
• Fixed-wing drones for long-range linear patrols (e.g., coastline, open water).
• Multirotor drones for detailed inspections and hovering over targets.
• Payload capacity, communication range, and precision landing capabilities.
• Recommended drone models and their suitability for specific maritime surveillance tasks.

Module 3: Specialized Sensors for Marine Surveillance

• High-resolution RGB cameras for visual identification of vessels, persons, and objects.
• Radiometric thermal cameras for night operations, heat signatures of vessels, or persons in water.
• Zoom cameras for detailed inspection from a safe standoff distance.
• Spotlight and loudspeaker payloads for communication and deterrence.
• Potential of hyperspectral/multispectral sensors for pollution tracing or specific marine life monitoring.

Module 4: Flight Planning Over Water & Dynamic Coasts

• Automated flight planning software for creating patrol routes over large water bodies.
• Defining flight parameters: altitude, speed, and patterns for optimal coverage.
• Considerations for wind, waves, glare, and changing light conditions over water.
• Strategies for maintaining line of sight and robust data link in challenging environments.
• Planning for launch and recovery from vessels or confined coastal areas.

Module 5: Data Acquisition for Security & Law Enforcement

• Best practices for capturing clear, actionable visual and thermal video footage of targets.
• Techniques for tracking moving vessels and individuals.
• Identifying suspicious behaviors: unauthorized transshipment, unusual routes, illegal landings.
• Metadata capture: GPS coordinates, time, altitude for evidential purposes.
• Real-time streaming of video feeds to command centers.

Module 6: Pollution Detection & Environmental Monitoring

• Utilizing drone imagery to detect and map oil spills, chemical discharges, and waste dumping.
• Assessing the extent and trajectory of marine pollution events.
• Monitoring coastal erosion patterns and shoreline changes with photogrammetry.
• Mapping sensitive marine habitats (e.g., coral reefs, seagrass beds) for conservation.
• Documenting illegal dredging or coastal construction.

Module 7: Coastal Erosion Monitoring & Mapping

• Applying drone photogrammetry to create high-resolution 2D maps and 3D models of shorelines.
• Identifying areas of significant erosion or accretion.
• Measuring volume changes of sand dunes and beaches.
• Tracking the impact of storms and sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology.
• Generating data for coastal protection and management strategies.

Module 8: Search & Rescue (SAR) in Marine Environments

• The rapid deployment advantage of drones for locating missing persons at sea or along the coast.
• Utilizing thermal cameras to detect heat signatures of individuals in water or on land, especially at night.
• Dropping flotation devices or communication equipment to distressed individuals.
• Coordinating drone operations with manned SAR teams.
• Providing real-time situational awareness to incident commanders.

Module 9: Data Processing & Analysis for Maritime Intelligence

• Software for processing visual and thermal drone data (e.g., for vessel identification, human detection).
• Generating orthomosaics and 3D models of coastal areas for mapping.
• Utilizing AI/ML for automated object detection (vessels, persons) and anomaly recognition.
• Tools for video analysis, annotation, and evidence tagging.
• Creating actionable intelligence reports for decision-makers.

Module 10: Integration with Maritime Command Systems

• Exporting drone data in compatible formats for existing maritime surveillance systems.
• Integrating real-time video feeds with command and control centers.
• Leveraging APIs for seamless data flow between drone platforms and operational dashboards.
• Enhancing common operational picture (COP) with aerial insights.
• Secure data storage and chain of custody for legal proceedings.

Module 11: Safety Management & Maritime Regulations

• Comprehensive risk assessment for drone operations in complex maritime environments.
• Mitigating hazards: strong winds, saltwater, electromagnetic interference from vessels, airspace conflicts.
• Emergency procedures: ditching, lost link, battery failure over water.
• Adherence to national and international aviation regulations for commercial drone operations.
• Compliance with maritime laws and protocols (e.g., respecting vessel traffic, restricted areas).

Module 12: Anti-Piracy & Port Security Applications

• Utilizing drones for perimeter surveillance of ports and critical maritime infrastructure.
• Detecting unauthorized vessel approaches or suspicious activities in harbors.
• Providing overwatch during vessel boarding and security operations.
• Monitoring cargo handling and preventing theft.
• Enhancing situational awareness in high-risk zones.

Module 13: Case Studies & Future Trends in Maritime Drones

• Analysis of successful drone deployments in combating illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and piracy.
• Review of drone applications in major environmental disaster responses (e.g., oil spills).
• Discussion of lessons learned and best practices from real-world maritime drone operations.
• Emerging technologies: autonomous maritime drones, drone-in-a-box solutions for remote sites, advanced AI analytics.
• The role of drones in future maritime security strategies and blue economy initiatives.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.