An ocean dumping surveillance system

The dumping of treated sewage sludge, hazardous chemicals, and toxic materials in our oceans continues to be a problem. There is continued pressure from state governments and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to move designated dumping areas farther from shore. This raises the cost and time required to monitor those operations for compliance with regulations. An Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS) has been developed to enhance enforcement operations. This paper discusses the design and operation of a pilot system for use aboard various sludge and acid waste carriers in the New York and New Jersey coastal area. Particular attention is paid to ease of operation through use of touch-screen technology and database management capabilities.