A drifter for tracking oil spills using the Argos system

Several versions of oil spill markers have been developed to assist in the tracking of spills in the coastal waters of western Canada. The authors fitted the markers with a fabric skirt to slow their descent from aircraft and found that the skirt helped simulate the movement of an oil spill if it remained attached to the marker. The first operational version of these spill markers, incorporating a VHF radio beacon, has proven quite effective during periods of sea fog when visual reconnaissance was impossible. The authors have developed a new oil spill marker which uses the Argos satellite system to provide positions. The drifter hull and skirt sizes were sealed to give drag performance similar to that of the VHF spill marker. Air deployment tests of the Argos oil spill marker were concluded with successful trials from a helicopter at an altitude of 150 m