The system presented in this paper demonstrates how a novel fibre optic based sensor, capable of detecting minute changes in the level of impurity in a liquid, can be incorporated onto a Mote based platform and all for a relatively low cost. It will be demonstrated how these features can be used to detect increases in the level of hydrocarbons within a maritime environment. Systems currently deployed worldwide include satellite mapping technology and high cost water monitoring platforms. Growing international emphasis on the management of water quality is giving rise to an expansion of the international market for novel robust, miniaturized, intelligent water monitoring systems capable of measuring local environmentally detrimental events such as small scale oil spills. © 2011 IEEE.