Lifeboat rescue missions that take place on the shifting waters of the Solway Firth are being boosted by data from space thanks to a new pioneering project.

Researchers from the University of Strathclyde’s Applied Space Technology Laboratory are investigating the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from satellites to provide regular, accurate mapping of moving channels in the coastal region.

The estuary is regarded as one of the UK’s most treacherous stretches of coastline, and lifeboats must frequently navigate the areas at high speed. But even state-of-the-art marine navigation maps have thus far left areas blank and uncharted.

Now, with the “Safe Passage” project—which was launched after Glencaple-based Nith Inshore Rescue approached the university with the idea to use satellite imagery to identify navigation channels, and is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA)—the researchers are using the estuary as a trial site to support safe navigation of the firth.

Through the use of polarised radar signals, the data can differentiate between sand and water, and even works under nocturnal or cloudy conditions, allowing the lifeboat to find a consistent minimum depth along the route.

Previously, the crew had to manually conduct depth soundings, but during bad weather and strong tidal periods these passageways shift rapidly, rendering the measured route futile. Inaccurate information can mean the lifeboat has to switch course mid-rescue, slowing down response and even potentially grounding it.

The volunteers now receive updated charts of satellite imagery generated waypoints, with the routes used in real-life rescues, including a successful call out on the Cumbrian coast for two casualties trapped in a car due to coastal flooding.

The route charts are also backed up by the crew’s own skills and local knowledge, but climate change is making this increasingly difficult.

The team is now working with ESA to improve the charting and believe the system could make the 13 million hectares of tidal flats across the world more accessible. It’s also hoped to eventually commercialise the data feed service, with a slice of the profits funding the independent rescue service.

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Crew member Gwilym Gibbons, who is also founder of project partner Creative Help, said: “Working with the team is the key enabler of this innovative way to aid safe marine navigation for search and rescue. To see and test the results of the work in a real environment as an additional aid has already proved the huge potential this could have across the world.

“Our ambition is for Safe Passage to become a commercial navigation data feed service for a range of marine navigation uses, with a proportion of revenues generated going to support the vital work of our wholly volunteer lifeboat services.

“It’s literally saving lives at sea from space.”