When a hurricane results in large-scale damage to coastal areas, including sunken and displaced vessels and other types of hazardous materials, debris can be stranded in areas difficult to access by field assessment teams. 

A small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) can be quickly deployed by the field teams to get closer to debris for gathering key information. A sUAS is also a good tool for monitoring injury to the surrounding habitat caused by stranding or removal of vessels and other hurricane debris.

This job aid was developed to supplement hurricane response activities (post-storm derelict vessel and hazardous material identification and removal), providing a guide for the use of consumer-grade sUAS with photo and video capability. 

View and Print the Job Aid: Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Hurricane Response Job Aid [PDF, 1.4 MB]: Published in 2021.

Funding for this Job Aid was provided by NOAA’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program, within the NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), in collaboration with the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) and the UxS Executive Oversight Board (EOB) to accelerate the transition and regular utilization of UAS in NOAA. The Job Aid was developed by Research Planning, Inc., in close collaboration with NOAA OR&R's Emergency Response Division.

Job Aids for Spill Response: Learn more about the job aids that OR&R has created to help emergency responders complete their response tasks.
 

Questions: Contact us with any questions, comments, or suggestions related to NOAA Job Aids.