METHOD AND TRACKING DEVICE FOR TRACKING MOVEMENT IN A MARINE ENVIRONMENT WITH TACTICAL ADJUSTMENTS TO AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE

摘要

The present invention relates to devices and methods for tracking movement in a marine environment. At least one tracking device that is adapted to be deployed on a surface of the water, wherein the tracking device is capable of moving along the same trajectory of a desired object. Data from the tracking devices are received by at least one satellite, transmitted to a database, and used to determine the forecasted trajectory of the desired object. All data collected from deployed tracking devices may be integrated into a spatial data repository for analysis and reporting using GIS and associated information technologies, thereby allowing for more accurate decision-making and asset deployment during a fluid spill or similar marine contamination event. The present invention also allows for the collection and modeling of accurate localized sea current data, which may assist with marine and coastal engineering works such as shoreline protection and port dredging.

主权项

1. A tracking device for tracking movement in a marine environment, the tracking device comprising:
a global positioning system (GPS) unit including:
a GPS receiver adapted to receive global positioning signals from three or more remote global positioning satellites, the global positioning signals being broadcast at a GPS frequency in a range of about 1.17-1.58 GHz,a satellite transmitter adapted to send a geographic location of the GPS unit to a data processing satellite at a frequency of around 1.6 GHz, the data processing satellite further transmitting the geographic location for storage in a positioning satellite data repository,a processor, operatively connected to the GPS receiver and the satellite transmitter, adapted to determine the geographic location of the GPS unit based on the global positioning signals, anda housing adapted to be held by a user of the GPS unit and having the GPS receiver, the satellite transmitter, and the processor therein; and a waterproof container of a flexible material having an interior region adapted to receive the GPS unit and having the GPS unit therein, the waterproof container sealable to prevent an ingress of fluid and to float the tracking device on a sea surface to measure movement of the sea surface.