Ocean current secrets revealed

Live information about the speed and direction of Scotland’s ocean currents has been made available for the first time.

Using high frequency radar technologies Marine Scotland’s Brahan project is providing ocean current information from a wide section of Scotland’s large marine area - up to 200km offshore.

The results which are not currently available from existing methods will help not only scientific research, but also with:

• search and rescue
• pollution control,
• offshore oil and gas sector
• renewable energy sector
• other users of the sea such as the fishing industry, yachting and shipping.

Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“The Brahan Project is an exciting demonstration of how cutting edge technology can help us monitor our seas both to understand them in a better way and to help us sustainably and safely use their abundant resources.”

Dr David Woolf, Principal Researcher at Heriot-Watt University said:

“The Brahan Project already drives new research. Heriot-Watt University is especially excited to apply the new technology in the prediction of natural and pollutant transport, initially in the Shetland/Orkney region.”

This new example of ‘Operational Oceanography’ is used in the USA but this is the first UK installation. The results from the Brahan Project will be revealed today in Aberdeen at a meeting of marine scientists and users at Marine Scotland Science.

The Long Range SeaSonde HF Radar System has been manufactured by CODAR Ocean Sensors of California and installed at two stations - one at North Ronaldsay lighthouse in Orkney and the other at Sumburgh Head lighthouse in Shetland.