bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Range-Gated Laser System for Ocean Floor Imaging
Authors: Dixon Timothy H. , Pivirotto Thomas J. , Chapman Robert F. , Tyce Robert C.
Published: June 2009

We describe tank studies which show that a copper chloride laser is a good illumination source for a deep ocean imaging system. The laser is naturally pulsed (∼20 ns pulse width) at repetition rates of 10 to 20 kHz, and operates with high (1%) efficiency in the blue-green window
for optimum transmission in water. A range-gated, scanning imaging system based on this laser can operate with input power of a few hundred watts, obtaining 100m wide digital image coverage of the sea floor from altitudes of 50 m. Measurements of range (bathymetry) and particulate matter distribution
within the water column are also possible.
The Texas Artificial Reef Program
Authors: Kaiser Mark J.
Published: June 2009

The National Fishing Enhancement Act (NFEA) of 1984 was designed to promote and facilitate efforts to establish artificial reefs for the purpose of enhancing fishery resources and commercial and recreational opportunities. In 1991, the Texas Artificial Reef Program was established based
on the guidelines of the NFEA to provide a means for the oil and gas industry to donate their obsolete structures as artificial reefs. Currently, over 35 permitted reef sites from over 70 decommissioned platforms have been created offshore Texas. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the
regulatory background of the Texas Artificial Reef Program, to discuss the nature of the cost savings associated with reef donation, and to derive first-order approximate relations that predict the donation amount. Statistical data describing the frequency of rig donations as a function of
water depth and planning area are provided, and regression models of the donation are developed based on the structure size, water depth, removal method, and proximity of the platform to the permitted reef site.
Empirical Models of Extreme Weather Events on Shut-In Production in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Kaiser Mark J.
Published: June 2009

Over the past two years, the vulnerability of offshore production in the Gulf of Mexico has been brought to light by extensive damage to oil and gas facilities and pipelines resulting from Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita. In an average year, three tropical storms enter the Gulf with
hurricane strength. When a hurricane threatens, oil and gas production and transportation pipelines in the expected path of the storm shut down, crews are evacuated, and refineries and processing plants along the Gulf Coast close. The purpose of this paper is quantify the impact extreme weather
has on shut-in production in the Gulf of Mexico using production data and weather events from 1950-2003. A description of the model constructions and results is presented. This paper also reviews the manner in which operators respond to emergency evacuation and develops regression models of
shut-in production based on the physical characteristics and timing of weather events.
A Novel Acoustic Dissolved Oxygen Transmitter for Fish Telemetry
Authors: Svendsen Jon C. , Aarestrup Kim , Steffensen John F. , Herskin Jannik
Published: June 2009

The multiple responses of fishes to changes in dissolved oxygen saturations have been studied widely in the laboratory. In contrast, only a few studies have included field observations. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a novel acoustic dissolved
oxygen transmitter for field biotelemetry. The results demonstrated that the output of the transmitter was unaffected by three different temperatures (10 to 30°C) and described the dissolved oxygen saturation with high accuracy (r2 > 0.99) over the entire range of
0 to 191% saturation. The response time (≥ 90% of end value) of the transmitter was 12 s both in terms of decreasing (100 to 0%) and increasing (0 to 100%) oxygen saturations. When externally attached to fishes, the present findings support the use of the transmitter for reliable dissolved
oxygen measurements on individuals living in environments that may change both temporally and spatially with regard to ambient temperature and dissolved oxygen saturation.
An Experimental Evaluation of the Economic Feasibility of Automated Quayside Cranes
Authors: Kiani Mansoor , Bonsall Stephen , Wang Jin , Wall Alan
Published: June 2009

The majority of the studies on Quayside Cranes (QSCs) focus on optimising the automatic capabilities of the cranes and very few have studied their economic implications. This paper examines the economic feasibility of reducing QSCs' cycle-times resulting from automated features installed
on existing post-Panamax cranes. It demonstrates that a considerable increase in productivity of QSCs is related directly or indirectly to an expected reduction of crane cycle-times. The study sets up the need for the proposed improvements through automation and explains the concepts of the
systems involved. The concept offered by the proposed improvements distinguishes between the traditional system of loading and discharging of the containers and the automated methods. The evaluations and analyses in this study demonstrate that optimisation of the quayside operation enables
the terminal operators to reduce turnaround time and port stays of containerships. The study illustrates that the expected economic benefits achieved from the improvement of the QSCs' performance, with regard to adoption of automated devices in this experiment, far exceeds the cost of adopting
the various automatic devices.
Changing Perspectives in Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Using Animal-Borne Imaging
Authors: Parrish Frank A. , Littnan Charles L.
Published: June 2009

The use of animal-borne imaging devices on the endangered Hawaiian monk seal has greatly helped understand where and how they forage. Those devices provide high-resolution data on the behavior, foraging habitat, and prey of seals, and the ecological community where they live. They have
indicated that some monk seals regularly forage in mesophotic (100-300 m) and subphotic (>300 m) habitats rather than just in shallow reef habitats. The collected imagery is also helping to guide the development of further research, conservation, and management plans. Use of animal-borne
imaging has resulted in substantial progress in understanding the foraging landscape of monk seals. Any refinements in this technology will certainly inform further population recovery efforts.
When Whales Collide: Crittercam Offers Insight into the Competitive Behavior of Humpback Whales on Their Hawaiian Wintering Grounds
Authors: Herman Elia Y. K. , Herman Louis M. , Pack Adam A. , Marshall Greg , Shepard Michael C. , Bakhtiari Mehdi
Published: June 2009

Despite years of study, the humpback whale mating system remains an enigma. Sustained observations of subsurface behavior may help reveal important components of the mating system. In 2005 and 2006, we deployed Crittercam, an animal-borne imaging and data-logging tool, on humpback whales
in their winter grounds. We focused our efforts on competitive groups, believed to be the epicenter of mate selection. Over 27 days of fieldwork in Maui waters we deployed 10 front- or rear-facing Crittercams on escorts (males) in competitive groups. This work revealed: (1) Five whales swimming
to depths of over 150 m, with one animal diving down 298 m; (2) Instances of competitive behavior (inflated pleats, chasing) occurring along the seafloor; (3) The displacement of a primary escort (the whale closest to the female) by a challenger; (4) A detailed time budget of one principal
escort maintaining his position over a 73-min observation window; (5) Threats and body strikes between secondary escorts; (6) Apparent affiliative behavior by females, including possible pectoral fin stroking of a principal escort and drafting in a principal escort's pressure wave; and (7)
A secondary escort resting on the bottom while sculling its pectoral fins through the substrate, throwing up clouds of sand. In summary, Crittercam allowed us to observe diving behavior and sustained micro-interactions between animals in competitive groups occurring far below the surface.
Such observations can have significant bearing on interpretation of the mating system by assisting in uncovering behaviors that may be involved in mate guarding, dominance hierarchies, and female choice.
Insights into the Underwater Diving, Feeding, and Calling Behavior of Blue Whales from a Suction-Cup-Attached Video-Imaging Tag (Crittercam)
Authors: Calambokidis John , Schorr Greg S. , Steiger Gretchen H. , Francis John , Bakhtiari Mehdi , Marshall Greg , Oleson Erin M. , Gendron Diane , Robertson Kelly
Published: June 2009

We examined the underwater behavior of blue whales using a suction-cup-attached video-imaging instrument (Crittercam). We made 13 successful deployments (defined as tag duration of >15 min and successful recovery of the tag and data) totaling 19 hours of Crittercams on blue whales
off California and in the Sea of Cortez from spring through fall (26 February to 30 September) between 1999 and 2003. Whale diving depth and behavior varied widely by region and period, although deployments on different individuals in the same area and period often showed very similar feeding
behavior. One deployment extending into night showed a diurnal shift in diving behavior with progressively shallower feeding dives as it became dark, with shift to shallow, apparently non-feeding dives during the night. Data and video from tags demonstrated that the characteristic series of
vertical movements blue whales make at depth are lunges into dense aggregations of krill. These krill were visible streaming by the camera immediately before these lunges and more clearly when the whales' forward motion stopped as a result of the lunge. The progression of events leading up
to and during the lunge could be documented from the head movement of whales and occasional views of the expanding throat pleats or lower jaw, and by changes in flow noise past the tag, indicating a rapid deceleration. One set of deployments in the Southern California Bight revealed consistent
feeding at depths of 250-300 m, deeper than has been previously reported for blue whales. A loud blue whale vocalization was heard on only one deployment on a male blue whale in an interacting trio of animals.
Meeting the Manatee Challenge: The Feasibility of Using Crittercam on Wild Manatees
Authors: Adimey Nicole M. , Abernathy Kyler , Gaspard, III Joseph C. , Marshall Greg
Published: June 2009

The West Indian manatee, Trichechus manatus, is currently listed as an endangered species throughout its range. Threats to the subspecies in Florida include watercraft collisions, the potential loss of warm water refuges, exposure to harmful algal blooms, entanglement in fishery
gear, habitat degradation, freshwater diversions and withdrawals, and the crushing or isolation caused by water control structures. A study was initiated in 2001 to investigate several of these threats and develop methods to aid in endangered species recovery needs by exploring the feasibility
of using Crittercam, an animal-borne imaging and data-collection device, on Florida manatees. While the actual Crittercam technology was appropriate for the goals of this study, the unique morphology of the species and its variable habitat made finding a method of attachment extremely challenging.
An appropriate and reliable method of attachment to the manatee is necessary for the successful application of animal-borne imaging data collection. Methods previously used successfully on other species were explored, including various combinations of suction cups and adhesives, a nylon harness
and a peduncle belt with a trailing tether. Over a span of several years, captive trials and field testing determined that the peduncle belt with connecting tether was the most appropriate method of attachment. Several iterations of this design were made in order to provide the necessary functionality
for ensuring productive research with the Crittercam on wild manatees.
Including Whale Call Detection in Standard Ocean Measurements: Application of Acoustic Seagliders
Authors: Moore Sue E. , Howe Bruce M. , Stafford Kathleen M. , Boyd Michael L.
Published: June 2009

Over the past decade, fixed recorders have come into increasing use for long-term sampling of whale calls in remote ocean regions. Concurrently, the development of several types of autonomous underwater vehicles has demonstrated measurement capabilities that promise to revolutionize
ocean science. These two lines of technical development were merged with the addition of broadband (5 Hz to 30 kHz) omni-directional hydrophones to seagliders. In August 2006, the capability of three Acoustic Seagliders (ASGs) to detect whale calls was tested in an experiment offshore Monterey,
California. In total, 401 dives were completed and over 107 hours of acoustic data recorded. Blue whale calls were detected on all but two of the 76 dives where acoustic data were analyzed in detail, while humpback and sperm whale calls were detected on roughly 20% of those dives. Various
whistles, clicks and burst calls, similar to those produced by dolphins and small whales, were also detected, suggesting that the capability of ASGs can be expanded to sample a broad range of marine mammal species. The potential to include whale call detection in the suite of standard oceanographic
measures is unprecedented and provides a foundation for mobile sampling strategies at scales that better match the vertical and horizontal movements of the whales themselves. This capability opens new doors for investigation of cetacean habitats and their role in marine ecosystems, as envisioned
in future ocean observing systems.
The Sea from Space—Applying Remote Sensing to Societal Needs
Authors: McCarthy Elena , Lichtman Flora
Published: June 2009

The use of satellite-based remote sensing systems for observing marine environments is presented. Satellite observations of the marine environment, including weather, support efforts in economic development, national defense, resource management, and policy making, and contribute to
the comfort, health, and safety of the public. Several emerging uses of remote sensing, with applications beyond the scope of conventional marine environmental monitoring, are presented, including: maritime surveillance, international treaty enforcement, oil prospecting, and siting of offshore
wind farms. As a tool, satellite remote sensing has great potential to contribute to the development of sound marine policy and informed decision making.
The Sensor Revolution: Benefits and Challenges for the Marine Technical Workforce
Authors: Hotaling Liesl , Sullivan Deidre , Zande Jill
Published: June 2009

Sensors are revolutionizing the way that we study, explore, and utilize our oceans. The continued development, operation, and expansion of sensors and sensor networks will require a workforce well prepared in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills. Solid preparations
in STEM skills are critical to the marine workforce and to other sectors of the economy. National reports and international test scores indicate that these skills are currently lagging in U.S. students, which presents a challenge to the technical workplace. Using sensors and the data produced
as an engaging mechanism to teach STEM skills is one way to meet this challenge. Students armed with STEM skills and the motivation to apply those skills in careers that involve sensor development, operations, and data analysis will provide lasting benefits to society and the global economy.
Economic and Social Benefits from Wave Energy Conversion Marine Technology
Authors: Bedard Roger
Published: June 2009

This paper summarizes the energy resource, the energy conversion technology, and the economic and social benefits of using wave energy technology. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimates that the U.S. wave resource potential that could credibly be harnessed is about 6.5%
of the 2004 U.S. national electricity energy demand (the total 2004 demand was about 4,000 TWh). Wave energy conversion (WEC) is an emerging technology; ten WEC devices have been tested to date in natural waters worldwide over the past 10 years. The economic opportunities are significant.
A relatively minor investment by government in the public good today could stimulate a worldwide industry generating billions of dollars of economic output and employing thousands of people, while using an abundant and clean natural resource to meet our energy needs. Wave energy is potentially
more easily assimilated into the grid (compared to wind and solar) because it may be more accurately predictable two to three days ahead and sold as firm power. Given proper care in siting, deployment, operations, maintenance and decommissioning, wave power promises to be one of the most environmentally
benign electrical generation technologies. The primary barrier to the development and use of these technologies in the U.S. is the cumbersome regulatory process. We recommend and encourage the development of an effective regulatory system that fosters the application of this environmentally
friendly electricity generation technology for our society.
Marine Biotechnology: Realizing the Potential
Authors: Pomponi Shirley A. , Baden Daniel G. , Zohar Yonathan
Published: June 2009

Marine biotechnology is an applied science, the goal of which is to develop goods and services from marine organisms and processes. The new wave of marine biotechnology research began in the early 1980s and includes some significant success stories. A new drug to manage pain is commercially
available, and a new cancer drug has been recommended for approval, the first from a fish-eating snail and the second from a mangrove tunicate. Enzymes from hydrothermal vent microbes are routinely used in PCR reactions, and marine-derived molecular probes are helping understand the molecular
basis of disease processes. Advances in aquaculture biotechnology have resulted in more efficient production of finfish and shellfish for human consumption, and polyunsaturated fatty acids from marine microalgae are used as nutritional supplements for adults and infants. Rapid diagnostic tools
have been developed to monitor toxins in the environment and in seafood, and genetic fingerprinting techniques are helping to control illegal trade of threatened marine species. In the future, multidisciplinary programs in oceans and human health should focus not only on microbial pathogens
and harmful algal bloom toxins but also on discovery of new chemicals to prevent or treat human diseases. And the development of biological and biochemical sensors to detect pathogens, contaminants, and toxins and to monitor human and environmental health indicators in the marine environment
should be a very high priority in the establishment of U.S. coastal ocean observing systems.
“BLIMP-CAM”: Aerial Video Observations of Marine Animals
Authors: Hodgson Amanda
Published: June 2009

Conducting behavioral observations of obligate marine animals such as cetaceans and sirenians is challenging. These animals usually spend prolonged periods beneath the surface of the water out of view of a boat-based or land-based observer. Observations from high vantage points can
overcome some of these difficulties by allowing the observer to look down through the water and view subsurface behaviors. I developed a “blimp-cam”: a video camera mounted on a small ovoid-shape, helium-filled aerostat (blimp). This new style of blimp had a number of advantages
over previous systems that have used the traditional zeppelin style, including being smaller, cheaper and easier to operate. The “blimp-cam” was flown at a height of 50 m, providing an overhead view of dugongs at water depths of up to 4 m and distances up to 200 m. I used the “blimp-cam”
to obtain information on dugong behavior. I assess the advantages of this new style of aerial video observation system, its limitations and potential applications in the marine environment.
Ocean Nowcast/Forecast Systems for Improvement of Naval Undersea Capabilities
Authors: Chu Peter C. , Amezaga, Jr G. R. , Gottshall Eric L. , Cwalina David S.
Published: June 2009

The U.S. Navy is a major investor in ocean model development. The pay-off of such an investment is the value-added ocean nowcast/forecast systems on naval operations and warfare effectiveness. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the value added of the Navy's nowcast/forecast
system to naval antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW). The nowcast/forecast versus observational fields were used by the Weapon Acoustic Preset Program (WAPP) to determine the suggested presets for Mk 48 variant torpedo. The metric used to compare the two sets of outputs
is the relative difference in acoustic coverage area generated by WAPP. Output presets are created for five different scenarios, two ASUW scenarios and three ASW scenarios in the South China Sea. The same metrics used in the nowcast/forecast case were used to generate and compare the acoustic
coverage. Analysis of the output reveals that the ocean forecast system outperformed the nowcast system in most scenarios.
Comparison of SWATH and Monohull Vessel Motion for Regional Class Research Vessels
Authors: Collins Curtis A. , Clynch James R. , Rago Thomas A. , Margolina Tetyana
Published: June 2009

The attitude characteristics of two small research vessels, a 539 displacement ton monohull (R/V Point Sur) and a 419 displacement ton SWATH (R/V Western Flyer) are compared. The comparison is based upon 134 (147) motion measurements carried out on the Point Sur (Western
Flyer) in 2003-2005. Measurements were made using a tilt meter and a vertical gyro. When hove-to, rms pitch and roll (vertical acceleration) increased with increasing sea height on the monohull at three (six) times the rate of the SWATH. When cruising, the fins on the subsurface hulls
of the SWATH effectively damped the pitch (roll) caused by head and bow seas, reducing the amplitude by a factor of 2 (10) compared to those observed while hove-to; accelerations were reduced by a greater amount as the frequency of pitch and roll was reduced. In contrast, cruising motion (pitch,
roll, acceleration) on the monohull increased when seas were on or forward of the beam. The only point where the cruising monohull appeared to out-perform the SWATH was for pitch in quartering/stern seas > 10 ft.
An Advanced Solid-state Animal-Borne Video and Environmental Data-Logging Device (“Crittercam”) for Marine Research
Authors: Marshall Greg , Bakhtiari Mehdi , Shepard Mike , Tweedy III James , Rasch David , Abernathy Kyler , Joliff Bob , Carrier Jeffrey C. , Heithaus Michael R.
Published: June 2009

Crittercam is an animal-borne imaging and environmental data-logging instrument used to study large vertebrates in aquatic habitats. This paper describes an advanced Crittercam system that records video, audio and environmental data to solid-state digital media. This fifth generation
(“GenV”) system is smaller, much more rugged and user-friendly, and incorporates significantly greater data-logging capacity than previous animal-borne video imaging devices. The GenV Crittercam also includes three-dimensional dive path logging capabilities by capturing magnetometry,
accelerometry, water velocity and depth. A graphic user interface enables simplified programming of GenV Crittercam units for diverse data and video gathering needs. These improvements offer opportunities to employ Crittercam in studies of smaller species and in more rugged environments, greatly
expanding utility of this direct observation tool in ethological research.
On Coastal Ocean Systems, Coupled Model Architectures, Products and Services: Morphing from Observations to Operations and Applications
Authors: Pietrafesa L.J. , Buckley E. B. , Peng M. , Bao S. , Liu H. , Peng S. , Xie L. , Dickey D.A.
Published: June 2009

The national build-up of “coastal ocean observing systems” (COOSs) to establish the coastal observing component of the national component of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) network must be well organized and must acknowledge, understand and address the needs
of the principal clients, the federal, and in some cases state as well, agencies that provide financial support if it is to have substantive value. The funds being spent in support of COOS should be invested in pursuit of the establishment of the National Backbone (NB) that is needed: to greatly
improve atmospheric, oceanic and coastal “weather” forecasting, broadly defined; for ecosystem management; and to document climate variability and change in coastal zones. However, this process has not occurred in a well conceived, orderly, well integrated manner due to historical
and cultural bases and because of local priorities. A sub-regional effort that is designed to meet federal agency needs and mission responsibilities with an emphasis on meeting societal needs is presented by way of example to show that university and industry partners with federal agencies
have an important role to play in the future of building out ocean and coastal observing and prediction systems and networks.
Water Level Observations for Storm Surge
Authors: Luther Mark E. , Merz Clifford R. , Scudder Jeff , Baig Stephen R. , Pralgo Jennifer LT , Thompson Douglas , Gill Stephen , Hovis Gerald
Published: June 2009

Issues affecting the utility and accuracy of water level measurements for storm surge are addressed. Vertical datum control (including land elevation measurements), water level sensor survivability, and sensor placement are critical to obtaining useful information on storm surge. Hurricane
Dennis in 2005 provides an example of how water level measurements are used to evaluate and improve storm surge prediction models. A water level gauge operated by the University of South Florida Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMPS) was the only site to capture time history
of the maximum surge that occurred in Apalachee Bay, Florida, leading to improvements in the storm surge prediction model. A more dense network of water level gauges, as a component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, will enable a more efficient response to and mitigation of future
storm surge events.
Improving FEMA's Coastal Risk Assessment through the National Flood Insurance Program: An Historical Overview
Authors: Crowell Mark , Hirsch Emily , Hayes Tom L.
Published: June 2009

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its Mitigation Division. The NFIP is an insurance, mapping, and land use management program that provides the availability of federally backed flood insurance to home
and business owners located in communities that participate in the NFIP. FEMA is currently in the middle of a five-year, billion dollar effort to modernize the Nation's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). FIRMs are an integral part of the NFIP as they provide information used for setting insurance
rates and for land use management purposes. As part of the “Map Modernization” effort, FEMA is revamping the Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, including guidelines specific to coastal hazards. This major revision to the coastal Guidelines follows
nearly 40 years (beginning with the inception of the NFIP in 1968) of improving the assessment and mapping of coastal hazards as new technologies evolve, coastal processes become better understood, and methods for assessing and mapping the risk become more reliable.
History of Coastal Inundation Models
Authors: Massey William G. , Gangai Jeffrey W. , Drei-Horgan Elena , Slover Kevin J.
Published: June 2009

Hurricanes, Nor'easters, winter storms and tsunamis cause damaging and destructive inundation of coastal areas. With the rapid growth and development of coastal regions, greater damage to property and loss of life will continue to occur. The development and implementation of numerical
models allows these natural events to be replicated so that their potential effect can be known and lives and property protected. A wide variety of models have been developed over the past forty years to forecast coastal inundation. The models described herein were chosen based on their use
in emergency management and hazard mitigation. Although a brief overview of the numerical characteristics of each model will be provided, the paper aims to highlight their function and application as forecasting, planning, warning and monitoring tools while detailing the chronological development
of coastal inundation models.
High Resolution Modeling of Coastal Inundation: User Requirements and Current Practice, a Navy Perspective
Authors: Blain Cheryl Ann , Preller Ruth H.
Published: June 2009

The impact of coastal flooding and inundation on Navy operational missions and the existing Navy requirements for resolution and accuracy relevant to coastal inundation are presented. High resolution (less than 500 m) coastal models exercised operationally at the Naval Oceanographic
Office are reviewed, summarizing the advantages, disadvantages and typical spatial resolutions of each. The present state of Navy coastal inundation modeling from a research and development perspective is presented along with highlights of planned advances in the near-future. Lastly, the gaps
between users, products, data and research and development are illuminated. Fine-scale bathymetry and topography as well as in situ currents for validation are required for accurate, high resolution inundation modeling. Gaps between the needs of Navy users and the type and form of operationally
available inundation products are identified and discussed. The need for usability, relocateability, and expediency in the operational setting contribute in large part to the delay in transitioning model capabilities from research and development to operations.
The NIST-NOAA Resilient Communities Cooperative Initiative and Its Contribution to Coastal Community Resilience
Authors: Gaynor John , Simiu Emil
Published: June 2009

Inspired by the development of a collaborative plan on understanding wildland fires, their interaction with weather and the built environment, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), both within the U.S.
Department of Commerce, completed a more comprehensive collaborative plan entitled “Disaster Resilient Communities: A NIST/NOAA Partnership” during the winter of 2006. This plan addresses, in addition to wildland fires, the effects on the built environment of winds (hurricanes,
tornadoes, and straight-line thunderstorm-generated winds), storm surge, tsunamis, and earthquakes. Since most of the structural risks appear in coastal areas of the U.S., the plan provides some emphasis on coastal communities. The plan also has two cross-cutting themes: 1) Multi-hazard failure
analysis and mitigation and 2) community scale damage forecasting, including loss estimation methodology. This paper provides an overview of the NIST-NOAA plan with a focus on the components of the plan that address issues related to the resiliency of coastal communities.
Architecture of a Community Infrastructure for Predicting and Analyzing Coastal Inundation
Authors: Bogden Philip , Gale Tom , Allen Gabrielle , MacLaren Jon , Almes Guy , Creager Gerald , Bintz Joanne , Wright Donelson L. , Graber Hans , Williams Neil , Graves Sara , Conover Helen , Galluppi Ken , Luettich Rick , Perrie William , Toulany Bechara , Sheng Peter Y. , Davis Justin R. , Wang Harry , Forrest David
Published: June 2009

The Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) has advanced the SURA Coastal Ocean Observing and Prediction (SCOOP) program as a multi-institution collaboration to design and prototype a modular, distributed system for real-time prediction and visualization of the coastal
impacts from extreme atmospheric events, including hurricane inundation and waves. The SCOOP program vision is a community “cyberinfrastructure” that enables advances in the science of environmental prediction and coastal hazard planning. The system architecture is a coordinated
and distributed network of interoperable, modularized components that include numerical models, information catalogs, distributed archives, computing resources, and network infrastructure. The components are linked over the Internet by standardized web-service interfaces in a service-oriented
architecture (SOA). The design philosophy allows geographically disparate partnering institutions to provide complementary data-provider and integration services. The overall system enables coordinated sharing of resources, tools, and ideas among a virtual community of coastal and computer
scientists. The distributed design builds on the notion that standards enable innovation, and seeks to leverage successes of the World Wide Web by creating an environment that nurtures interaction between the research community, the private sector, and government agencies working together
on behalf of the nation.
Avian Issues for Offshore Wind Development
Authors: Allison Taber D. , Jedrey Ellen , Perkins Simon
Published: June 2009

Wind energy is the fastest growing source of electricity in the U. S., and the energy potential in the offshore environment is enormous. Environmental concerns have focused on effects on birds, and in this paper we briefly review these effects in the context of methods for assessing
preconstruction risk and postconstruction impact. Federal statutes and legislation, including the National Environmental Policy Act, Federal Energy Act of 2005, the Endangered Species Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty will require that prospective developers conduct some form of avian risk
assessment prior to construction. Such preconstruction studies should utilize a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) design.Offshore wind farms pose three primary threats to birds: barrier effects due to flight avoidance, habitat loss (due to displacement), and fatalities resulting from
collisions with turbine blades. All have been demonstrated at land-based and coastal wind farms, and flight avoidance and shifts in habitat use have been demonstrated in the offshore environment for a limited number of species in Europe. The additive effect of these impacts to bird populations
may be trivial under current levels of development, but could become ecologically significant as offshore installations increase as projected.Interpreting the ecological significance of these effects requires additional research, especially on understanding the importance of winter foraging
habitat and population delineation, particularly for waterfowl. Such research and preconstruction studies will be expensive, and we suggest public funding of these efforts and private-public partnerships as is currently underway in some states.
Engineering and Regulatory Challenges Facing the Development of Commercially Viable Offshore Wind Projects
Authors: Rodgers Mark , Olmsted Craig
Published: June 2009

Cape Wind is a proposal to locate America's first offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts to generate renewable energy. First proposed in 2001, Cape Wind has faced numerous engineering and regulatory challenges. Great care was taken in the site selection process to ensure
a technically and economically viable project that would generate wind energy on a utility scale. The regulatory environment and permitting process for Cape Wind has always been extensive and comprehensive, comprised of federal, state and local agencies. As a result of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005, the lead federal permitting agency changed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to the Minerals Management Service (MMS), which resulted in a significant delay in the permitting schedule. Throughout the Environmental Impact Statement process with the ACOE and the MMS, numerous
engineering and scientific studies have been performed on a wide host of environmental and economic issues. MMS issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in January, 2008. MMS officials have stated they expect to issue the Final Environmental Impact Statement in fall, 2008 and to issue
a Record of Decision on Cape Wind thirty days later.
Data Sampling Options for Animal-Borne Video Cameras: Considerations Based on Deployments with Antarctic Fur Seals
Authors: Hooker Sascha K. , Heaslip Susan G. , Matthiopoulos Jason , Cox Oliver , Boyd Ian L.
Published: June 2009

Although the use of animal-borne video cameras has brought great insight into the lives of animals, there are still several limitations in using them to record observational data. The ethical demand for reduced camera size limits battery capacity, which thus restricts recording duration.
In addition to design considerations, there are several sampling options available for extending sampling duration following tag deployment. These options include the use of duty cycling (for sampling at preset times), a depth trigger and varying the sampling interval between images. We investigate
the consequences of these options based on foraging data collected from Antarctic fur seals using the Venus camera system (Wild Insight Ltd). We show the effect of differing sampling protocols on the resulting data. By sub-sampling our dataset, we show how changes in sampling protocol affect
the number of prey images collected and the measurement of simple foraging variables such as the time spent feeding. In addition, we ran simulations based on altering the foraging parameters: prey-encounter rate (waiting time) and handling time (feeding event duration), to more broadly investigate
how changes in sampling frequency would impact data collection for species with varying foraging characteristics. We show that, irrespective of sampling frequency, the proportion of prey images recorded remains constant, suggesting that coverage of a foraging trip could be extended for investigation
of time-invariant processes by using an increased sampling interval. Measurement of rates or durations of behavioral events (such as prey-encounter rate or handling time), however, requires higher sampling rates to increase the precision of parameter values.
Optimizing the Layout of Offshore Wind Energy Systems
Authors: Elkinton Christopher N. , Manwell James F. , McGowan Jon G.
Published: June 2009

Offshore wind energy technology is a reality in Europe and is poised to make a significant contribution to the U.S. energy supply in the near future as well. The layout of an offshore wind farm is a complex problem involving many trade-offs. For example, energy production increases
with turbine spacing, as do electrical costs and losses. Energy production also increases with distance from shore, but so do O&M (operations and maintenance), foundation, transmission, and installation costs. Determining which of these factors dominates requires a thorough understanding
of the physics behind these trade-offs, can lead to the optimal layout, and helps lower the cost of energy from these farms. This paper presents the results of a study carried out to investigate these trade-offs and to develop a method for optimizing the wind farm layout during the micrositing
phase of an offshore wind energy system design. It presents a method for analyzing the cost of energy from offshore wind farms as well as a summary of the development of an offshore wind farm layout optimization tool. In addition to an initial validation of the optimization tool, an example
of the use of this tool for the design of an offshore wind farm in Hull, Massachusetts, is also given.
High Frequency Radar Observing Systems in SEACOOS: 2002-2007 Lessons Learned
Authors: Shay Lynn K. , Seim Harvey E. , Savidge Dana , Styles Richard , Weisberg Robert H.
Published: June 2009

From 2002-2007, the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing System (SEACOOS) deployed high frequency (HF) radars to overlook several venues stretching from the West Florida Shelf to the North Carolina Shelf. Based on extensive deliberations within SEACOOS, we decided to assess the two differing
types of coastal ocean current radars within the southeast that were on the commercial market. The long-range SeaSondes (SS) were deployed to sense surface currents at hourly intervals and a 6 km resolution along the West Florida Shelf and the North Carolina Shelf. The medium and long-range
Wellen Radars (WERA) were deployed along the Florida Straits and along the South Atlantic Bight with spatial resolutions of 1.2 to 3 km sampling at time scales of minutes. A common theme in these deployments was to sense the Loop Current, Florida Current and the Gulf Stream, which transport
heat poleward as part of the gyre circulation.Several lessons were learned as part of these deployments, such as the need to protect against lightening strikes and the challenge of providing robust communication links between the remote sites and a central hub to make the data available
in near real-time. Since states in the southeast and surrounding the Gulf of Mexico are prone to the passage of hurricanes, surface current and wave measurements during hurricanes are invaluable for improving storm surge and inundation models that are now being coupled to surface waves. In
addition, significant wave heights (and directional surface wave spectra) are critical in the model assessment. Data quality and accuracy of the surface current and wave fields remain a central issue to search and rescue and safe maritime operations and to understanding the limitations of
these radar systems. As more phased array systems (i.e., WERAs) are deployed for surface current and wave measurements, more attention needs to be placed on the interoperability between the two types of systems to insure the highest quality data possible is available to meet applied and operational
goals. To insure the highest quality data possible, a full-time technician and a half-time IT specialist are needed for each installation as well as access to spares to keep these systems running consistently and to make quality observations available in near real-time.
The Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System: Generic Lessons Learned in the First Seven Years of Operation (2001-2008)
Authors: Pettigrew Neal R. , Xue Huijie , Irish James D. , Perrie Will , Roesler Collin S. , Thomas Andrew C. , Townsend David W.
Published: June 2009

The Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) was established in the summer of 2001 as a prototype real-time observing system that now includes eleven solar powered buoys with physical and optical sensors, four shore-based long-range HF radar systems for surface current measurement,
operational circulation and wave models, satellite observations, inshore nutrient monitoring, and hourly web delivery of data. The observing system in the Gulf of Maine (GoM) is one of the most comprehensive and operational of the Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS) systems that have
been established in the United States to date. It has also been a very successful system, with data returns routinely in the 85-95% range.The Gulf of Maine is a harsh operational environment. Winter storms pose severe challenges, including high waves and the build-up of sea ice on buoy
sensors, superstructure, and solar panels, and in summer its productive waters present severe biofouling problems that can affect the optical sensors. The periods of most difficult field operations often coincide with periods of greatest data value in terms of marine safety, search and rescue,
and monitoring biological productivity.The challenges of the Gulf of Maine physical environment were paired with the unexpected challenges of the funding environment that have been the hallmark of the turn of this century. Funding for the system has been chronically short and subject to
the unpredictable fluctuations of the congressional appropriations process. The inadequacy and variability of funding has substantially hampered the operations of many of the Integrated Ocean Observing Systems, including GoMOOS, and has hindered technological advancements and maintenance measures.
As a result, the design of the GoMOOS infrastructure is little improved from that developed almost a decade ago, and it has deteriorated with age, usage, and suboptimal replacement schedules. In the absence of an adequate and reliable funding stream, the system is fast approaching the end
of its expected operational lifetime. Unless this trend is reversed, the system will no longer well serve the many citizens, organizations, and agencies that have come to rely on the data it provides.In this article, we present lessons learned by the scientific and technical groups that
have been responsible for the data acquisition of GoMOOS. We believe that these lessons are generic, rather than peculiar to the GoMOOS system, and that they have value for others who are embarking on similar endeavors. However, it is important to make clear that these lessons are from the
perspective of the scientists, and that the views of others involved in complementary aspects of GoMOOS, including public outreach, fundraising, and providing data and products to the more general user community, are not represented here.
SEACOOS Program Management
Authors: Seim Harvey E. , Nelson James , Fletcher Madilyn , Mooers C.N.K. , Spence Lundie , Weisberg Robert H. , Werner Francisco , Smith Sarah M. , Lea Russ
Published: June 2009

The management of the SEACOOS program and its evolution over a five-year period are reviewed. The topics included pertain to the mechanisms used to create a consortium, define its mission, develop and manage its annual budget and tasking cycle; and the history of its focus over a five-year
period. The management of SEACOOS was complex and required significant efforts to develop new approaches and collaborative mechanisms. Changes in management were made as weaknesses were identified and to enable a more unified approach to the evaluation, operations, data management and outreach
efforts. A number of programmatic lessons learned are summarized that may be of value for future development of regional coastal ocean observing systems.
Waves Initiative within SEACOOS
Authors: Voulgaris George , Haus Brian K. , Work Paul , Shay Lynn K. , Seim Harvey E. , Weisberg Robert H. , Nelson James R.
Published: June 2009

Amongst other ocean state parameters, the development of a wave measurement program was supported as part of the Southeast U.S. Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System (SEACOOS). The program focused on supporting nearshore wave measurements using both cabled and autonomous systems but
also examined the feasibility of using HF Radar systems for remote estimation of wave parameters. The nearshore stations have provided a significant database on directional wave climate for a number of nearshore locations in the region that provide valuable information to coastal engineers
and managers for sustainable development along the coast of the southeastern United States. The ability of Wellen high-frequency radar (WERA HF) to provide wave information was evaluated through a field experiment in SE Florida. The results were encouraging and placed some initial bounds on
the confidence to be associated with empirically derived wave height information. Coordination efforts for the development of a comprehensive waves program for the Southeast U.S. were initiated and contributed to the development of the National Wave Observations plan. They also led to the
development of a new Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System (RCOOS) that includes developing systems in support of local weather forecast offices in their surfzone and rip-current forecasts.