The focus of interest is the determination and description of the sea state, currents, and wind. Optical CCD cameras are employed to observe the wave field in hydraulic wave tanks used for physical-model testing of maritime engineering works. By analysis of the acquired image sequences, the multidirectionality of the sea state can be obtained. An example of a two-dimensional directional spectrum is given. Sequences of radar images of the sea surface are used to determine hydrographic parameters.
Examples are the calculation of the surface current field and the bathymetry.