EurOCEAN 2000 - Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee

Figure1: WERA current field.
Figure 2 :Significant wave height and wave
direction from the WERA HF radar
446
Two WaMoS X-band radar were installed
for closer monitoring of the current and
wave conditions in the narrowest and most
critical part of the entrance channel. Fig.3
presents a very good comparison of the
significant wave heights measured by the
WaMoS radar and a buoy located outside
of the entrance channel.
Measurements were taken every 20
minutes and processed in real time. The
data were transferred to Norwegian
Meteorological Office to become
assimilated into the appropriate numerical
model fields. Consequently, at the VTS
operations central measurements were
presented with a delay less than 15
minutes. Updated model fields with a
forecasting range of 6 hours were
presented each new hour with a delay of
20 minutes. Fig. 4 shows a model current
field as it was presented on the interface to
the VTS operators. These currents are
characteristic for the 10 m surface layer
which is the most dangerous current for
the passing ships. The corresponding wave
heights and directions are presented in Fig
5, which indicates the shoaling of waves
in front of the Fedje Island.
To achieve the real time data flow a
communication system was generated.
The complexity of this system is presented
in Fig. 6, showing the various locations
and computers involved.
Fig.3 Significant wave height measured by WaMoS and Wave buoy