ASTM F1779-97

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1779 – 97
Standard Practice for
Reporting Visual Observations of Oil on Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1779; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope effectiveness of a response operation can be easily determined
from an aerial platform. Reports on the presence of wildlife
1.1 This practice covers methods of reporting and recording
and the proximity of oil to environmentally sensitive areas are
visual observations of oil on water and related activities and
useful information that can be generated from overflights.
phenomena.
3.2 Observers of oil on water will generally use either a
1.2 This practice applies only to visual observations of oil
helicopter or a small fixed-wing airplane. The planes shall be
on water from an airplane or helicopter. While a similar set of
capable of slow-speed flight (120 to 240 km/h; 60 to 120 knots)
codes could be used for classifying oil on beaches, this subject
for extended periods of time and have good forward and side
is not discussed in this practice. It does not cover the use of
visibility. The aircraft shall have adequate range and endurance
remote-sensing equipment from aircraft, which is discussed in
consistent with the size and location of the spill.
a separate standard.
3.3 If possible, two observers should be used, one on the
1.3 This practice is applicable for all types of oil under a
port and the other on the starboard side of the aircraft.
variety of environmental and geographical situations.
Provision shall be made for the two observers to communicate
1.4 Visual observations of oil on water from the air involve
readily between themselves and with the flight crew. This can
a number of safety issues associated with the operation of
be accomplished by using standard aviation headphones and
airplanes or helicopters at low altitudes. These are not dealt
noise-cancelling microphones connected to an aircraft inter-
with in this practice, but the observer should be aware of the
com system. Such equipment is readily available on the
hazards of such operations.
commercial market.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.4 Standard maps shall be provided to the observers, so that
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
their data can be easily transferred to a single map or map set
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
for reporting and dissemination. These maps can be based on
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
marine charts, topographic maps or special maps produced for
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the spill. Useful scales vary from 1:10000 to 1:50000. It is
2. Significance and Use difficult to plot information to the required accuracy using
maps of a larger scale.
2.1 This practice can be used by surveillance and tracking
3.5 The flight path shall be shown on all maps. An initial
staff to report visual observations to the clients of visual
proposed flight path should be prepared prior to the flight.
observations. The data produced from such observations will
During the flight, deviations from this plan may be necessary in
provide the basis for preparing maps of the oil-slick location.
order to observe the total area of the slick.
2.2 This practice provides a procedure for reporting the
3.6 Typical flight altitudes range from (100 to 1000 m (300
visual observation of oil on water in a systematic manner and
to 3000 ft) depending on the nature of the spill and on the cloud
in a common format that can be readily understood by both
ceiling at flight time. There are flight safety considerations
observers and users of visual oil-spill observation maps.
associated with low-altitude flying.
2.3 This practice deals with the possibility that materials
3.7 The best angle to observe an oil slick is directly above
other than oil might be confused with oil when using visual
it looking straight down. This is known as a nadir observation.
observation methods.
The flight path should be adjusted, wherever possible, to
3. Observational Methods
provide observers with a nadir view of the slick. For most
fixed-wing aircraft, it is not possible to observe directly
3.1 The basic information needed from a visual observation
downwards, and therefore the flight path should be chosen to
program includes the slick size and location, as well as its
allow for observation of the spill at as near the vertical as
characteristics and shape. The location and some aspects of the
possible.
4. Methods of Reporting
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-20 on Hazardous
Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
4.1 Reporting Needs—There are a number of characteristics
F20.16 on Surveillance and Tracking.
of the slick that shall be reported in order to provide the user
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1997. Published April 1997 .
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F 1779
of visual observations with the appropriate amount of infor- ported in latitude and longitude of the apparent centre of the oil
mation. The following characteristics shall be reported for each slick being observed. If the leading edge of the slick can be
slick that is observed during a reconnaissance flight. These located, its position should be reported. This data can be
observations are a snap-shot in time. Both the location and determined using the aircraft navigation instruments or using a
characteristics of an oil slick change rapidly. In order to be portable GPS receiver. It shall be reported in degrees, minutes
useful for responders, the information should be available a and seconds or in degrees, minutes with two decimal points. If
short time after it is obtained (typically less than 3 h). it is not possible to obtain the latitude and longitude of the
4.2 Color of Slick—This shall be reported as a color code, as location, an estimate of the range and bearing, from a properly
follows: identified geographical reference, shall be used. Alternately,
4.2.1 Brown or Black—B. aircraft navigation instruments such as VOR/DME or Loran
4.2.2 Brown or Black with a red tinge signifying presence of can be used, if available.
an Emulsion or mousse—E. 5.3 Size and Shape of Slick—The size and shape of the slick
4.2.3 Rainbow sheen—R.
shall be reported. The units used shall be kilometres or metres
4.2.4 Grey or Silver Grey sheen—G. and represent the major and minor axis of the slick.
4.3 Percentage Coverage and Character of Slick—
5.4 Orientation of Slick—The orientation of the major axis
Percentage of area as described that is covered by oil.
shall be given using degrees from North. In the case of a slick
4.4 The character of the slick shall be noted such as follows:
of complex shape, it shall be divided into a number of smaller
4.4.1 Windrows—W.
slicks of simple geometry.
4.4.2 Continuous—C.
5.5 Sequence of Data—Many telephone lines and radio
4.4.3 Tar Balls—T.
communications are very noisy. This is especially true of
4.4.4 Pancakes—P.
transmission from small aircraft and helicopters used for
4.5 The eight parameters in 4.2 and 4.4 give a description of
oil-spill surveillance. To promote brevity and standardize the
the oil slick.
transmission of data, the following sequence should be used. If
4.6 Slick Features—If the leading edge of the slick can be
plain
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