Catalogue of Services Available to Member States that are provided through the cooperation of at least two Agencies

The RPAS services have been developed for maritime surveillance operations, such as:
1) Maritime pollution detection and emissions monitoring;
2) Detection of illegal fishing, anti-drug trafficking and illegal immigration;
3) Support to marine pollution response operations
4) Support to search and rescue operations.

There is a broad portfolio of RPAS types available ranging from large size aircraft with “long endurance” that have a comprehensive set of sensor capabilities to small more agile quadcopters. For activities far from shore, satellite communication capability is available providing beyond radio line of sight (BRLOS) operations. All can operate during day and night.

Moreover some RPAS can support directly Search and Rescue Operations by deploying a life raft.

VTOL RPAS are used to measure ship borne emissions, participate in pollution response operations and are available to assist in Search and Rescue operations.

It should be highlighted that the RPAS (platform and sensor payload) is multi-purpose in nature and can be used for a range of parallel surveillance activities.

Stakeholder Forum: RPAS User Group

EMSA carries out such operations on behalf of Member States but also at the request of and in cooperation with EFCA for fisheries monitoring and Frontex for border control.

Since January 2023, the Agency offers to the EU-EEA national authorities, free of charge and on-demand, underwater survey services through Observation-class Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) to support safety investigations, maritime safety and security, pollution prevention and response and maritime surveillance within the Agency’s remit.
The ROV fleet is composed of three, light (less than 20 kg), highly deployable underwater platforms that, although compact, can embed various payloads, including sonar, HD camera, grabber, measurement laser and water sampler (e.g. to collect polluted water to be analysed).
Two distinct types of service are foreseen: "ROV ONLY" and "FULL". "ROV ONLY" does not require the contractor to procure a support vessel. In contrast, the contractor shall charter a suitable support vessel for type "FULL". When the target's position on the seabed is unknows, EMSA can pair the ROV operations with preliminary sonar surveys via multibeam (MBES) and Side-Scan Sonar (SSS) to precisely locate the target.
The theoretical operational depth is 150m, yet the ROV could operate at higher deep depending on local conditions and ad-hoc assessment.
This operational service can be deployed, for real operations and exercises, within European waters and beyond.
Requests for the service should be channeled via the national points of contact (i.e. Accident Investigative Bodies).

Stakeholder Forum: Underwater Services User Group