EurOCEAN 2000 - Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee

Figure 4: Model currents field as displayed Figure 5: Same as Fig.4, but wave
in the VTS control centre.
height and direction field.
A special field campaign was organised to collect data for subsequent validation of the
EuroROSE products. For a period of 10 days the research vessel Hakon Mosby operated in the
area and in-situ data were gathered. For the duration of the experiment an Acoustic Doppler
Current Profiler (ADCP) and a directional wave rider buoy (see Fig. 3) was deployed in front
of the entrance channel. The data return rate was very close to 100%.
Except for minor interruptions due to breaks in public electrical power supply the Fedje field
experiment was operationally successful from its first day. The VTS officers and ship pilots
enthusiastically received the measurement data and model products. It was particularly
encouraging that long life experienced pilots confirmed the major features of the coastal
currents: a prevailing jet-shaped current going northwards about 10 km offshore from the
island, sometimes with significant changes in its position and strength. Temporarily, the
current was interrupted by propagating eddies which changed the direction up to 180 degrees.
CONCLUSION
Figure 6: Communication network of the EuroROSE
Fedje field experiment
The Fedje field experiment has
proven that the EuroROSE
concept is feasible, even if a
detailed analysis has not been
carried out, yet.
HF and X-band radar have
demonstrated their potential in
operational coastal
oceanographic monitoring. The
combination with numerical
models generates detailed
information about the sea-state,
which never can be achieved by
a conventional oceanographic
data collection system.
Displaying the sea-state
447