OCEANOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS AND TACTICAL DECISION AIDS

In the past 10 to 15 years an ever-increasing emphasis has been applied to the study of the oceans (both surface and subsurface). This increased emphasis on oceanography has provided on-scene commanders with tailored oceanographic computer products that help ensure successful evolutions at sea.

In this chapter, we will discuss various computer-generated oceanographic products that benefit the planning and execution of successful underway operations. Although this chapter only deals with TESS 3 products, benefit may also be realized with the products found in the Navy Oceanographic Data Distribution System (NODDS) Products Manual, the Naval Integrated Tactical Environmental Sub-System (NITES), the National Oceanography Data Distribution exchange System (NODDES), and the Joint Maritime Combat Information System (JMCIS). The applications, limitations, assumptions, and functional descriptions of various aids to the forecaster will be covered. For more detailed information, refer to the respective Tactical Environmental Support System (TESS (3)) and Shipboard Meteorological and Oceanographic Observing System (SMOOS) Operator's Manuals, NAVMETOCCOM instructions, and special publications. Now lets begin our discussion of the computer-generated aids.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify applications, limitations, and assumptions of the tidal prediction product. Interpret the 24-hour tide station prediction and the tides geographic display.

The TIDE module uses location-specific tide data in combination with astronomical and bathymetric effects to yield quick reliable predictions. The tidal height may be forecast at any location for which observed tide data are available. These locations are provided in the tide data base. The tabular and graphic output of the module depict tidal height versus time at individual locations, as well as tidal heights at a given time for several locations 

A knowledge of tides is important to safe navigation and naval warfare applications. The tides interact with surf conditions and storm surge. These near-shore phenomena in turn may heavily impact coastal and amphibious operations. Because the TIDE module provides a versatile method of rapidly forecasting tides, commensurate with the computer technology used for on-scene environmental prediction, it is a useful means of assessing tidal effects on pertinent operations.

The restrictions as well as the principles taken for granted in using the TIDE program areas follows:

. Spatial variations in tidal heights may be depicted for 4, 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.2 squares only.

. Tidal heights may only be forecast at locations for which observed tide data are available (that is, tide stations provided by the data base).

. The impact of storm surge and surf conditions is not addressed by this model.

. The times of tidal extremes (high/low) are predicted to the nearest 6 minutes (min).

. Tidal stations previously saved to the "TIDAL STATION SELECTION" input screen will be erased when new tidal stations are saved at a later time.

. Only 15 tidal stations can be retrieved atone time in the area size selected. If more than 15 are retrieved, the user must choose a different area size or move the location slightly.

The TIDE module can generate tidal height forecasts at numerous locations on a worldwide basis. Table 8-1 shows an example output of a 24-hour time/height graph. It is displayed if the prediction length is 1 day and a tabular output is selected Figure 8-1 shows an example output of a geographic display. An X placed in the column labeled "GEOGRAPHIC" on the "TIDAL STATION SELECTION" input screen sends the user directly to the Tides Geographic Display.

This information is now available on CD in Adobe PDF Printable Format

Privacy Statement - Press Release - Copyright Information. - Contact Us - Support Integrated Publishing