1. A method for processing an overhead image of a body of water for detection of ships, said overhead image having image coordinates, said method comprising the steps of: A) chipping the overhead image into image tiles; B) discriminating clouds from the image tiles; C) removing clouds from the image tiles; D) characterizing background noise due to said body of water's surface from the image tiles; E) selectively analyzing image tiles to confirm detection of a ship according to said background characterization; F) outputting a listing of said ships; G) analyzing the overhead image to determine if land is present therein, said step G) further comprising the steps of; G1) accessing a database of all land shoreline coordinates worldwide; G2) comparing of said land shoreline coordinates to said image coordinates to determine whether there is land located within the image; G3) mapping the land shoreline coordinates to said image coordinates; H) masking land-covered areas of the overhead image; and, said steps G) and H) being accomplished prior to step A).