DETERMINATION OF THE LEEWAY OF OIL SLICKS

The leeway of oil slicks was determined as a function of wind velocity in the range 5-25 knots to enable more precise forecasting of the trajectory of oil spills, and thus aid effective containment and cleanup operations. Leeway was calculated by measurement of the separation of oil slicks from a dyed patch of surface water at sea, using time-sequenced nadir aerial photography. Five oil types, Nos. 2, 4, and 6 fuel oils, and light and heavy crude oils, were found to exhibit similar leeway as a function of wind speed. Oil spill volume had not measureable effect on leeway, and slicks moved in the direction of the wind. The leeway increases with sea state, and obeys a linear relationship with wind velocity in the wind range studies.

• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Institute of Marine Science

  Gloucester Point, VA  United States 

  United States Coast Guard

  Office of Research and Development, 400 7th Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Coast Guard

  Office of Research and Development
  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • SMITH, C L
• Publication Date: 1974-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 47 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerial photography; Drift; Dyes; Dynamics; Fuel oils; Mathematical prediction; Oil spill cleanup; Oil spills; Petroleum products; Trajectory; Vehicle trajectories; Velocity; Water areas; Water quality management; Wind
• Uncontrolled Terms: Surface waters
• Old TRIS Terms: Oil spill behavior; Oil spreading dynamics; Sea states; Wind velocity
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00090385
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: VIMS-Contrib-644 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-CG-33183-A
• Files: NTIS, TRIS
• Created Date: May 29 1975 12:00AM