Detect oil spills with LWIR thermal cameras from FLIR Marine

Stable, clear detection day and night—minimize spread, protect marine life, and streamline cleanup with FLIR’s LWIR technology (M364C, M400XR, Ocean Scout Pro).

Oil spills in water are a major environmental challenge that requires a rapid and effective response. Here we explain why LWIR thermal imaging technology is a revolutionary solution for detecting and managing oil spills.

Oil spill challenges and solutions

Oil spills threaten marine ecosystems, coastal economies and global trade routes. Despite strict safety measures, accidents still occur – due to accidents, natural disasters or illegal dumping.
Rapid response is crucial to minimizing damage, but one of the biggest challenges is detecting and visualizing spills in difficult light and wave conditions . This is where thermal imaging technology makes a difference.

Why 24/7 response is critical

The longer the oil remains in the water, the more difficult the cleanup will be. Continuous efforts are crucial to:

• Limit spread and contamination
• Maximize cleaning efficiency, even at night
• Protect marine life such as fish, seabirds and mammals
• Reduce economic losses to fishing and tourism
• Accelerate ecosystem restoration

During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident , FLIR thermal cameras enabled 24/7 operation – even in total darkness.

Benefits of LWIR technology for oil spills

Traditional visible light methods work poorly in the dark and are disturbed by reflections. LWIR (Longwave Infrared) solves these problems:

• Stable image in all lighting conditions – day or night, regardless of weather and light.
• Minimal impact of water reflections – unlike visible light, LWIR provides a smooth and clear image.
• High contrast for oil film – oil appears clearly darker than water due to differences in emissivity.

FLIR has tested LWIR technology at Ohmsett , North America's largest oil spill testing facility, with superior results.

Thermal solutions for task forces

FLIR offers advanced systems used on thousands of rescue vessels worldwide:

• FLIR M364C & M400XR – LWIR detectors for high-resolution spill detection, even in rough seas.
• FLIR Ocean Scout Pro – Handheld LWIR device for rapid response and night work.

These solutions provide real-time imagery for effective spill detection and containment.

Protect our oceans with FLIR Marine

FLIR is leading the development of thermal imaging technology for environmental protection. Through research, advanced products and real-time detection, FLIR ensures that oil spills are detected faster, cleaned up more effectively and do not cause irreparable damage.

Protecting the oceans is not just a technical challenge – it is a global responsibility. FLIR is at the forefront of that task.

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