Satellite Imagery Helps Combate Illegal Trafficking at Sea

2 November 2009

The French authorities in charge of maritime affairs are looking to patrol maritime zones and establish enforcement and deterrence systems.

Identified the Need

To support its efforts to combat illegal trafficking, the French Navy called on Spot Image to supply a satellite-based maritime surveillance system. Integrated with other operational assets, the information from this system was designed to detect small speed boats within a zone spanning several thousand sq.km (in coastal areas and out to sea) that is impossible to cover with aircraft and boats alone.

Satellite imagery is a vital complement to ensure effective surveillance of large maritime areas.

Provided an Innovative Solution

Spot Image offers an end-to-end solution tailored to the requirements of enforcement agencies charged with combating illegal activities. Satellite imagery provides information for operations centres in less than 2 hours, enabling fast and effective enforcement actions. Spot Image’s satellites detect boats smaller than 10 metres long over areas of around 40,000 sq. km. in a single pass, several times a week.

Results

This service was implemented in 2009 and detected 13 small speed boats, which would be very difficult to detect without satellite imagery, over a period of 20 days.
Detection reports were delivered to operations personnel in less than 2 hours, making it possible to intercept the boats within the range of enforcement teams.
Personnel confirmed 6 targets and intercepted 2 of them directly in the zone monitored. The concept has been proven by the very positive results the French Navy has achieved.

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Source: Spot Image