Using a high resolution marine X-band radar, the NORBIT Aptomar SeaDarQ System can automatically detect, track and monitor oil spills on the ocean surface. Using a combination of fast update rates, great horizontal resolution and low detection limits, the SeaDarQ oil spill detection system is both cutting edge technology and well proven. Oil spills are detected automatically, and the advanced algorithms identify even the smallest spills and reduce false alarms to a minimum.

OSD Radar Processors monitor the presence of capillary waves, caused by the wind effecting the water surface. It does this by detecting the radar backscatter caused by the uneven water surface. This back scatter is filtered out on a normal navigation radar to give a clear image of large, hard edged targets.

Oil floating on the water surface will however supress the capillary waves, that in turn will remove the backscatter. When an OSD Radar processor detects an area with no capillary waves, it could be a possible oil spill. Such events are automatically detected, and the operator is alerted. The OSD Radar processor will then mark and measure the area of the suspected slick and calculate the speed and direction of the drifting oil slick.

To be operational, the radar needs wind between 2 and 12 m/s. Also note that x-band radar systems CANNOT measure relative or accurate thickness of an oil slick. To measure relative thickness, the most cost efficient method is using infrared camera systems, cooled or uncooled.