Multi-use technology promotes strategic CSR/IOOS partnership.March 6, 2013
From surface current patterns through tsunami wave warnings to surface vessel detection and tracking, High Frequency Radar (HF radar), is maturing as a versatile multi-use technology serving diverse stakeholders. CSR is leveraging this multi-use capability by forging strategic partnerships with regional partners of the national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). CSR focuses on a layered vessel surveillance system for port security, where HF radar bridges the over-the-horizon gap between satellite surveillance and near-shore passive acoustic detection and tracking. Eleven coastal observing systems and regional associations, together with participating federal agencies constitute the national coastal component of U.S. IOOS; a network that provides coastal ocean data and data products to stakeholders in commerce, government, education, tourism, research and law enforcement. IOOS supports a national HF radar surface current network that provides data to assist diverse stakeholders including the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue and oil spill tracking, fishery scientists for larval dispersion studies and fishermen for targeted fishing efforts among others.
These groups recently demonstrated the feasibility of vessel detection and tracking from the remote Mona Island environment in a multi-agency experiment involving U.S. Coast Guard and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. IOOS affiliates benefit from this partnership by service to their stakeholders while providing to CSR the access to computational facilities, field bases, and administrative and personnel support. Such strategic partnerships based on mutual need and complementary capabilities strengthen and extend individual capabilities. CSR is pleased to contribute to and be part of the national IOOS effort.
