Ocean Current Observations

Application of HF-radar in Japan

The Japan Coast Guard continuously operates two types of real-time ocean current observation systems with High-Frequency (HF) radar. These have been operational in the area of Izu Islands since August 2001 and Sagami Bay since August 2002. They were installed to monitor the Kuroshio Current that flows generally from south-west to north-east along the south coast of Japan, and to monitor the coastal current normally flowing anti-clockwise in the Bay, and sometimes clockwise due to inflow from the Kuroshio. The total vector maps produced by each HF-radar are released on the internet (www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp). The main purpose of this article is... (read more)

2008-01-01 01:00:00

Russian Type Approval for Marine Radars

The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping has give a type approval for for Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine's VisionMaster FT family of marine radars. The type-approval certificates apply to Sperry Marine X-band and S-band Cat 1 and 2 models, including chart-radar and radar-only versions for high-speed and standard craft. The Russian type approval signifies that the products comply with the 2008 edition of "RS Rules for the Equipment of Sea-Going Ships" and International Maritime Organization Resolutions A.694(17) and MSC.191(79)". "We recognise the growing importance of the Polar Regions for the marine transportation industry, and we have designed our products... (read more)

2009-09-24 11:07:15

Seaview Sensing Develops for ACORN

Seaview Sensing are now deploying systems in Australia as part of the Australian Coastal Ocean Radar Network (ACORN). The ACORN project is part of the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) which is a distributed set of equipment and data-information services which collectively contribute to meeting the needs of marine climate research in Australia. Seaview Realtime Software works with HF radar. The ACORN project is utilising the WERA HF radar system. The network started within the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland Australia and is currently expanding to include radar nodes on the south and west coasts, all with Seaview... (read more)

2009-03-09 11:12:25

Leif Petersen Joins Helzel’s Board of Directors

Helzel Messtechnik, Germany, has added Leif Petersen to its board of directors. Leif holds a degree in Electrotechnical Engineering from the Christian-Albrecht-University of Kiel, Germany, and joined the Helzel team in 2005. As project leader he was responsible for electronic and software development in radar technology andhas made significant personal contributions to ongoing advances within the HF ocean radar WERA. Helzel Messtechnik specialises in the development and production of environmental and oceanographic measurement systems. This passion is reflected in their WERA Ocean Radar, a shore-based over-the-horizon radar to measure important ocean parameters for coastal management and offshore operators as well... (read more)

2014-12-17 11:05:45

BMF Inward Mission – New 7” Multi-Role Units from Simrad

The new 34 Series from Simrad consists of a GPS Chartplotter, ChartSounder, ChartRadar and MultiRadar all of which feature high quality TFT seven inch screens. Designed to offer powerful functions for vessels where space is limited, the 34 Series has the same features as Simrad's 44/54 Series of combination units, which feature 10” and 15” screens respectively. The chart system is based on C-Map NT+ electronic C-Cards. Using precise and detailed vector charts, information on ports, navigational marks, lights, buoys and contours etc can be called up at the touch of a button. The ships symbol moves in real time... (read more)

2004-07-02 12:00:00

Infoterra GmbH Initiates Commercial Exploitation of TerraSAR-X

Only from 2006, TerraSAR-X will be delivering Earth observation data of a new quality, however, its´ commercial exploitation starts now: two years prior to the scheduled launch date. The Friedrichshafen-based Infoterra GmbH, a 100-percent subsidiary of Europe´s leading satellite provider EADS Astrium, currently installs a global distribution network for the radar satellite. The satellite’s Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) will deliver X-band radar data with a swath width of 10 to 100 km, at a resolution of 1 to16 meters. The commercial exploitation rights for the new radar satellite are with Infoterra GmbH exclusively. Surrounding the Earth on a polar orbit... (read more)

2004-06-07 12:00:00

Transas Onboard Systems

During Europort Maritime, held from 6 to 9 November 2007 in Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Transas launched a new generation of onboard systems. A big step forward is Transas Navi-Sailor ECDIS 4000, which facilitates the mariner to switch between type-approved ECDIS, Chart-Radar, conning display, chart assistant and SPOS weather module. The data for presentation is flowing continuously in this application, informing the mariner on vital navigational information. The single systems are improved as well, reducing the workload on the bridge. Chart correction, route and user databases are synchronised for all workstations and applications; sensor redundancy and double networks ensure data... (read more)

2007-11-08 10:04:50

Natural Oil Detected in Black Sea

The Black Sea oil pollution monitoring programme has revealed natural oil sources in the south-eastern part, offshore Poti, Georgia. The source was detected based on analysis of multi-temporal radar satellite images by scientists of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology working with specialists at the ScanEx Research & Development Center. Analysis of radar images enabled to detect the connection between the oil seeps, visible on the sea surface and the process of formation and migration of hydrocarbons in sedimentary complex of the south-eastern part of the Black Sea. Based on the analysis of spots, detected on sixteen multi-temporal radar images, acquired... (read more)

2011-06-08 09:37:43

Dam Security System

L3 Klein's HarborGuard Radar System has been selected as a key security component for a critical Western US dam. The L3 Klein HarborGuard will include a Klein's Small Target Detection Radar that will provide continuous coverage for dams and lakes and monitor all surface targets, with special attention focused on the security zones protecting critical structures. The L3 Klein HarborGuard system will provide immediate alerts as well as updated threat positions to a central Security Management System. Radar coverage of dams and critical lakes poses a unique challenge because of the dramatic changes in water levels. In some dams water... (read more)

2011-01-11 03:26:10

WERA System to Monitor Effects Wave Hub

The Wave Hub is to be developed approximately 10 miles off Hayle, on the north coast of Cornwall, UK. The hub is a 'socket' sitting on the seabed for wave energy converters (WEC) to be plugged into. The extraction of energy by the devices will by definition change the physical environment at the Wave Hub site. Radar systems are sought in order to determine the magnitude of this change and to assess the nature and magnitude of far field changes present in the shadow area in the lee of Wave Hub. Radar devices will provide the offshore wave boundary conditions... (read more)

2010-02-01 11:02:48