NOAA PORTS Ocean Observing System Installed in Mobile Bay

Sea Technology, Feb 2008

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced recently that the Port of Mobile, Alabama, has become the 14th location in the United States to install the Physical Oceanographie Real-Time System (PORTS)®. PORTS, developed and operated by NOAA, provides accurate real-time oceanographic and meteorological data to mariners that can significantly reduce the risk of vessel groundings and increase the amount of cargo moved through the port, NOAA officials said. The system became operational earlier this winter.

"NOAA is committed to providing real-time environmental data through PORTS and other integrated ocean observing systems to ensure safe, efficient navigation within our nation's ports and beyond," said John H. Dunnigan, NOAA assistant administrator for the National Ocean Service. "NOAA is pleased to add the Port of Mobile to the nationwide PORTS network."

Administered by the NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, PORTS measures, integrates and disseminates observations of water levels, currents, salinity, wind and bridge clearance. Knowledge of environmental conditions can significantly reduce the risk of vessel groundings and increase the amount of cargo moved through a waterway by enabling mariners to safely utilize every inch of dredged channel depth, according to NOAA.

Port of Mobile PORTS data are updated every six minutes and quality controlled for increased accuracy.

"PORTS gives our shippers, pilots and regulatory agencies important, real-time information on navigational conditions, which allows for the optimization of cargo carriage and improves safety," said James K. Lyons, director and chief executive officer of the Port of Mobile. "We are a proud sponsor of this important technology at the Port of Mobile."

While designed to be of service to the marine transportation community, the data are freely accessible via the Internet NOAA PORTS information users include port authorities, vessel pilots, shipping companies, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, recreational boaters, fishermen, coastal managers, environmental organizations and academia.

Studies have shown more than a 50 percent decrease in vessel groundings following the installation of PORTS in other areas, NOAA said. Estimates of economic benefits directly attributed to PORTS range from $7 million per year for Tampa Bay in Florida to $16 million per year for Houston-Galveston in Texas.