Rapid Hurricane Response to Coastal Ports a Goal of Navigation Response Teams

Sea Technology, Aug 2008

With an active hurricane season forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service, the organization is emphasizing planning and preparation, representatives said.

Working in cooperation with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, NOAA responds to port emergencies with its Office of Coast Survey Navigational Response Teams (NRTs).

"Our goal at NOAA is to ensure safe, healthy and productive coasts," noted John H. Dunnigan, NOAA assistant administrator of the National Ocean Service. "The role of the Office of Coast Survey in responding to the impacts of hurricanes is critical. The quick response of our Navigational Response Teams provides the foundation for getting coastal communities back on their feet quickly by clearing the way for both emergency supplies and normal maritime commerce to resume."

NRTs utilize small boats to survey ports and channels and update nautical charts to allow marine transportation to resume following a hurricane or other disaster. Each of the six regional NRTs around the country consists of a three-person crew that assesses storm damage, identifies submerged hazards or obstructions and works with federal, state and local community partners to restore safe navigational access. NOAA NRT boats use side scan and multibeam sonar technology to locate and chart obstructions for safe navigation.

When not responding to hurricanes and other emergencies, NOAA NRTs assist navigational safety by checking the accuracy of NOAA's electronic navigational charts and responding to survey requests.

Recent NOAA NRT missions included the discovery of a major shipwreck near the entrance to the Port of Pensacola, Florida, and surveys conducted for the U.S. Navy off Vieques Island, Puerto Rico - a former Navy training site -to assess the quantity, types and distribution of underwater unexploded ordnance left over from military training operations.