4. THE PROCESSING CHAIN 
To integrate remote sensing data into the operational 
workflow, a processing chain for both satellite and 
aircraft data was developed considering user 
requirements and integrating different operating systems 
(Windows, Sun Solaris and Linux). The processing 
chain consists of different modules (Fig. 6) and was pre- 
operationally implemented at the BSH. A second nearly 
identical system is in use at the BfG for testing and 
validation purposes. 
The chain can be started by uploading remote sensing 
data from both satellites and aircrafts to a ftp server. To 
minimise user efforts, the software was designed in a 
way that the provision of one single file (e.g. EMSA 
sliapefile or aircraft polygon file) is sufficient. 
Nevertheless, it is also possible to deliver an auxiliary 
specification file that overwrites the default values of 
model parameters or assumptions. This is useful, if e.g. 
a sliapefile contains more than one possible pollution 
and not all are to be processed or if the oil amount was 
estimated through analysis of aircraft data. 
A shell script controls the automated download from the 
ftp server and checks in predefined time intervals for 
new data. In case a user lias put data for processing to 
this ftp server, the script starts automatically the 
DeMarine-Enviromnent software tool ‘REviSED”. 
which is described later on in detail. 
Thereafter, the shell script initialises the start of the drift 
model by passing the files generated by REviSED. The 
BSH model operators are an important part of the 
processing chain. They are informed about the status of 
a new drift model nm by e-mail. They can review and 
verify the model result, add additional information or 
adapt parameters. 
The drift model result is visualised using one of the 
output files and the Generic Mapping Tools (GMT). 
Various maps in gif format are generated showing the 
drift path and particle cloud at several times. As a last 
link of the chain, the gif files are packed in an archive 
and uploaded to ftp server from where they can be 
downloaded by the user. 
An alternative, so far a provisory realization option, is 
the visualisation within the VPS.system. It is the 
national contingency planning tool and the main user’s 
GIS-System that includes a comprehensive information 
database [14]. Here, remote sensing data and oil drift 
path can be visualized and animated. 
In comparison to pre-DeMarine status, the new 
processing chain, is time saving and makes use of the 
valuable information contained within the remote 
sensing data. 
Figure 6. The processing chain