ABP joins current monitoring project

The project, running in tandem with marine data specialist OceanWise, will collect data from the South Bramble navigation buoy to provide situational awareness of conditions at this key location in the Solent.

“Having the ability to visualise how the water currents are behaving at intervals throughout the water column is invaluable for our Pilots when maneuvering large vessels through a restricted channel which requires precise navigation, which is now assisted by accurate environmental data from below the water surface,” explained Sam Quilliam, principal hydrographic surveyor, ABP Southampton.

OceanWise has installed a Nortek Aquadopp current profiler on to the existing navigation buoy structure at South Bramble, taking care to ensure the sensor is sited appropriately below the water surface and that the power and telemetry systems could be accommodated.

The Aquadopp will monitor the water column at various intervals to give a full picture of any deviations in current at different layers.

This data will be transmitted via AIS to users of ABP Southampton’s Port-Log portal, which is used extensively by the port for maritime operations and environmental data management.

“The real-time data will be used as part of providing better situational awareness and thus improving the safety and efficiency of operations in the port,” added Scott Gray, UK managing director, Nortek.