Page 60: of Marine Technology Magazine (March 2019)

Send in the Drones

Drones for Coastal Environmental Management

By Justin Manley nmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly called technology in research- and monitoring-grade UAS, compile drones, have been making increasing impacts in examples of current use in this area, understand the limita- the maritime domain. As the capabilities of these tions and logistical challenges associated with UAS, develop

Uplatforms have increased, so have their contribu- operational and data management/analyses best practices, tions to maritime science, defense, and industry. Recogniz- and describe future developments and applications for coastal ing this, the Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) and ocean observing systems. A comprehensive workshop report the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean is available from the ACT website (www.act-us.info).

Observing Systems (NERACOOS), with support from the The workshop also sought to explore the challenges of truly

U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), convened quantitative multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing in a workshop on Practical Uses for Drones to Address Man- coastal marine environments and the legal and privacy issues agement Problems in Coastal Zones at the Wells National Es- associated with using drones in public and private lands and tuarine Research Reserve (WNERR) in Wells, Maine, in late ocean spaces. 2018. The workshop was designed to facilitate sharing of in- To promote broad input and cross-sector information-shar- formation and best practices to support the rapidly expanding ing, workshop participants included private-sector UAS tech- applications of drones in coastal management. nology developers and service providers, academic research- ers developing and/or using UAS, and government agency

Workshop Summary staff members with experience in using UAS or UAS data or

The goals of the workshop were to summarize the state of working on management issues that could be addressed with

Credit: J. Manley

Credit: J. Manley

March 2019 60

MTR

MTR #2 (50-65).indd 60 3/11/2019 12:25:30 PM