This year High Frequency Radar was accepted as one of the networks within the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). The network was accepted along with Ocean Gliders and Animal Borne Ocean Sensors. GOOS is an international framework and network of organizations that work together to collect, integrate, and share oceanographic data on a global scale. It was established by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO in 1991. Dr. Hugh Roarty shared results from the Global High Frequency Radar Network at the 14th Observations Coordination Group Meeting in Cape Town South Africa June 6-8, 2023.  The Observations Coordination Group (OCG) works to guide and strengthen the implementation of the GOOS and World Meteorological Organization Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) through identifying, coordinating and developing relevant initiatives across the global ocean observing networks.

This summer Rutgers will mark the 23rd year of measuring the surface currents off New Jersey. The measurements were started at three locations Sandy Hook, Loveladies and Wildwood. The surface currents are measured using High Frequency Radar, a remote sensing instrument that can measure currents over the horizon. The instruments are manufactured by CODAR Ocean Sensors, a partner with Rutgers since 1998.

Dr. Hugh Roarty’s article “The Vessel Traffic Service Needs a Major Radar Upgrade”  was recently published in US Naval Proceedings.  Proceedings is a monthly magazine published by the United States Naval Institute. Launched in 1874, it is one of the oldest continuously published magazines in the United States. Proceedings covers topics concerning global security and includes articles from military professionals and civilian experts, historical essays, book reviews, full-color photography, and reader commentary. The article discussed Dr. Roarty’s work to evaluate the Coast Guard use of radar to manage traffic in the ports.  The existing microwave radars operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) within the Vessel Traffic Sservice system do not provide reliable detection of small vessels, which can pose a threat to the Marine Transportation System.  As part of the project Dr. Roarty raveled and met with Coast Guard personnel at the twelve Vessel Traffic Service centers to develop a needs analysis for the VTS centers with respect to radar remote sensing.  A request for information (RFI) was developed and delivered to radar manufacturers that allowed the USCG to evaluate state of the art in radar technology for small vessel detection while also meeting the VTS mission to monitor and advise vessels within the navigational waterways. Full article at US Naval Institute

Rutgers works closely with many different partners in the MARACOOS network to make ocean observation data continuous, accurate, and impactful to the maritime community. Many different universities and agencies work together within MARACOOS to power understanding and prediction of ocean and coastal observing systems enabling better decisions through better data. Mid-Atlantic ports handle 25% of the total U.S. waterborne commerce and include the nation’s second largest container port, the nation’s largest petroleum product hub, and the world’s largest Naval base. Ports, waterway navigation and piloting, and small craft operations require reliable, quality data products for decision making. The US Coast Guard (USCG) relies on surface current predictions from the Rutgers Doppio system. The system provides more accurate capacity to simulate motion of search targets in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, an area of intense maritime commerce, fishing, and increasing recreational use. The robust High Frequency Radar (HFR) network, which has been a data supplier to the USCG since May 2009, is also a well used tool. The observations made by this network feed the Short-Term Predictive System (STPS). STPS creates the detailed surface current predictions 24 hours into the future for the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) region. NOAA National Ocean Service uses HFR to enhance its PORTS products for New York Harbor and Chesapeake Bay. In addition, the data are used by National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices in AWIPS2 and for Nearshore Wave Prediction Systems. The USCG also uses SST products for SAR operations. Additionally, the SST products are used by many stakeholders for ocean data assimilation (regional scientists), as well as by the recreational fishing community and boating community for effective navigation. Full article here.

Rutgers installed a MARACOOS sponsored 13 MHz High Frequency radar in Holgate, NJ this past spring.  The property holder is Long Beach Township, a long partner in HF radar ocean observing.  This is the fourth HFR station the township has agreed to host.  The station is currently collecting surface current and wave information.  Special thanks go to Mr. Dustin Martin, Assistant Public Works Superintendent Long Beach Township, for helping to secure permission for the site installation. The data from this station will contribute to the 6 km and 2 km National Surface Current Products as well as the regional 2 km product found on MARACOOS OceansMap and at Rutgers University. The surface current measurements will be utilized by regional stakeholders to help advance the science around offshore wind and improve decision making.  The measurements will also be utilized by the US Coast Guard to plan their search and rescue operations.  The surface current data and predictions from HFR were requested 84 times in the Mid-Atlantic and 231 nationally for the month of July 2022.  The wave data from the station is being evaluated by NWS as a validation station for the Nearshore Wave Prediction System. The site was installed by Rutgers technician Mr. Ethan Handel and Masters of Operational Oceanography student Mr. Timothy Stolarz. For more information contact Rutgers Project Manager Hugh Roarty hroarty@marine.rutgers.edu

SRI has extended its existing High Frequency Radar (HFR) scatter model for bistatic operation and is working on the initial steps in validation of that model with real data. The general operation utilizes available ocean wave spectra to estimate the doppler spectrum based on a HFR scattering model. The monostatic modelling has been done using wave spectra output from the SWAN model, and has shown good comparison to existing HFR doppler spectra. In order to access the accuracy of the new bistatic model, initial steps have been taken to setup and run a SWAN model domain off the coast of Long Island, NY to utilize the multi-static observations from HFR sites in this region collected by Rutgers University.

Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (RUCOOL) hosted visitors from Bermuda based Cerulean H2O Ltd and the Ocean Tech charity. As part of their Coastal Lab, they are looking to develop a coastal ocean observing system for Bermuda, and they visited Rutgers to learn from our experience. They shared with us that Bermuda lacks the oceanographic data that is essential to deal with existing and future challenges for the island nation of 64,000 people. Dr. Hugh Roarty from RUCOOL met with Mr. Henrik Schroder and Mr. Jonas Schroder to discuss the oceanographic sensing capabilities of RUCOOL and how some of the technologies we utilize could be applied in Bermuda waters. They then toured two of the coastal radar stations that Rutgers operates, one in Old Bridge (pictured above) and the other on Sandy Hook. The station at Old Bridge is a cooperative with the Middlesex County Parks and Recreation and the station at Sandy Hook is hosted by the National Park Service.