FORECASTING SURFACE CURRENTS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Distinguish between tidal and nontidal currents. Define the terms associated with currents. Classify currents as wind driven, coastal, or tidal. Identify publications available to obtain tidal and current information.

Although the forecasting of surface currents has been performed by aerographers for a number of years, the prominence of such forecasting became more evident when a number of incidents involving large sea-going oil tankers occurred. Collisions and grounding involving tankers caused great amounts of pollutants, mainly oil, to be spilled on the water surface. The movement, both direction and speed, of such contaminants is directly controlled by the surface currents in the affected area. More concerned emphasis has now been placed on the ability of forecasters to predict the movement of such contaminated areas. In the past, NAVMETOC units have provided forecasts to assist in the location of personnel or boats adrift in the open sea as well as forecasts used in estimating ice flow.

With the growing concern about pollution and contamination of ocean waters, it is anticipated that more requests for current and drift forecasts will be directed to NAVMETOC units.

In this section, we will discuss the general characteristics of currents, how they form, and the different types of currents. There are presently no hard and fast rules or techniques that are universally

Figure 6-10.-Sample surf worksheet.

followed. Most units involved in surface current forecasts have their own innovations and methods.

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