2010-01-01

Satellites Used To Help Stop Ship Strikes

A program called 'Real-time Plotting of Cetaceans' allows crews on ships passing through the Pelagos Sanctuary in the Mediterranean  to record and pass along whale sightings to a central server that collates the sightings and issues warnings to ships in the area.

The system is intended to help protect the whales from death or injury and vessels from being damaged. 

"We are targeting passenger transport companies as our first priority, since these vessels operate daily at significant speeds, which statistically increases the risk of collision," said Pascal Mayol, a director of the Souffleurs d'Ecume wildlife-conservation organization that participates in the program's management. "We are also in the process of expanding the program to encompass all types of vessels, such as merchant ships, private yachts, navy craft, fishing boats and racing sailboats, some of which have already expressed interest in subscribing."

More information: Aviation Week