Coastal Studies

Abstract: A new coastal ocean observing station has been established for the west Florida shelf, off Eglin Air Force Base, with an upward looking ADCP deployed at the approximate 11 m isobath for measuring the coastal currents, waves and tide. Hourly processed data were communicated to the WAVCIS station, through secured cellular communication. Vertical profiles of current speed and direction were continuously monitored until summer 2008. Also, directional wave spectra, bulk wave parameters and spectral evolution were computed from the ADCP measurements. These data are critical in monitoring wave and current transformation over the innershelf, associated with the passage of tropical cyclones and winter storms. NRL is using the data to enhance understanding of the nearshore/beach morphodynamics. The entire automated operation was executed by software developed in-house, taking advantage of interface-drivers for the data-loggers. The user-developed software controls the sampling scheme and the operational control of all of the sensors and the onsite computer. The Wave-Current-Surge Information System (WAVCIS) is a near real-time ocean observing program implemented for the northern Gulf of Mexico [1-3]. WAVCIS measures met-ocean processes and sea state information for offshore Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. The information measured includes waves, currents, water depth, surge, salinity, water temperature and meteorological conditions. The data measured from offshore stations are transmitted on a near rea