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A semi-empirical Lagrangian model for search and rescue services in the Canary Islands archipelago
L. Cardona, M.G. Villagarcia, J. Perez-Marrero, L. Maroto, J. Godoy, C. Barrera, E. Gonzalez-Roncero, M.J. Rueda, O. Llinás
Instituto Canario de Ciencias Marinas
laura@iccm.rcanaria.es(Abstract received 05/09/2005 for session D)
ABSTRACT
A system of operational oceanography is being implemented, based in the combination of observation and analyses of oceanographic data with numerical simulation, in order to try predicting the drifting objects trajectories. It is intended to cover marine emergency situations in the Canarian archipelago waters, such as search and rescue operations and pollutants dispersal. The study of the trajectories of about 75 NOAA drifters deployed monthly at the ESTOC time series station located in the North Atlantic (29º10’N, 15º30’W) since 1998 till nowadays, has provided a good knowledge of the surface current system in the area, depicting some seasonal tendencies. In order to provide emergency teams with a probable trajectory of the drifting object, a semi-empirical model based in Alves et al. (2002) is being develop for the Canary Islands waters. Drifters trajectories and Quikscat (wind) data in the area are being used to develop the model at a preliminary stage; geostrophic data will be added as a second step. Further, some practical exercises are being carried out with the local Search and Rescue team to feed the model. A new drifter with bi-directional communication via Inmarsat has been deployed and collected several times to compare the trajectories with the model outputs.
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2005 LAPCOD Meeting, Lerici, Italy, June 13-17, 2005