Remote Ocean Sensing by HF Radar

Coastal radar has become an increasingly important monitoring tool for hazard management and environmental protection

During the past few years remote ocean sensing by HF (highfrequency) radar has become more and more valuable to modern coastal management. lt offers an insight into the dynamics of the coastal seas for a variety of applications without ever leaving dry land. For example, search and rescue (SAR) operations can narrow down the search radius for peopleost overboard, port authorities can use the data to improve vessel traffic services and, in the case of oil spills or lost containers, it can be an important tool for environmental protection. Even the marine renewable energy sector has discovered the advantages of using this reliable technology. Diverse studies prove the benefits of using HF radar for hazard management and an increasing number ofcountries are relying on the technology by integratingt into their ocean observing networks. One of the leaders in the field of HF radar is Helzel Messtechnik GmbH, which provides the shore-based remote ocean sensing system WERA (WavE RAdar). This system contributeso coastal management by monitoring surface currents, wind direction and wave parameters with the highest spatialnd temporal resolution.

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