Technical relationship between MetOcean Solutions (and MetService) and Maritime NZ strengthening incident responses capabilities
Figure 1: Manahau Barge grounded on Carters Beach, Westport
Source: https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/09/06/grounded-manahau-barge-near-westport-successfully-refloated/
Figure 2: Example of forecast and observations made available to MNZ during the recent Manahau Barge grounding on Carters Beach, Westport.
Maritime transport is the backbone of international trade and the global economy, with >80% of the volume of international trade in goods being carried by sea, representing a critical part of New Zealand’s transport infrastructure that is overseen by Maritime New Zealand.
MetOcean Solutions expert physical oceanographers and MetService marine forecasters are working closely with incident responders at Maritime New Zealand to provide improved emergency response services that have benefited recent maritime incidents, including the recent grounding of the Manahau Barge on Carters Beach, Westport.
To support the refloat operations, MetOcean Solutions provided Maritime New Zealand with access to an operational high-resolution wave forecast model (100 m) of the environment with tailored workability tables, along with real time observations from a wave buoy. These forecasts were delivered via email 4-times daily as well as being available through the MetService Insights Platform (formerly MetOceanView).
Beyond these services, physical oceanographers at MetOcean Solutions ran nearshore surf zone models using SurfZoneView, a capability developed in partnership with New Zealand Defence Technology Agency (now Defence Science and Technology) and used to understand current and water level characteristics within the surf zone.
In addition to the above services, MetOcean Solutions supplies an integrated modelling solution to Maritime NZ that provides forecast ocean current characteristics around NZ at resolutions from 10s of metres in complex environments to several kilometres further offshore as well as atmospheric data. These data are the primary data source used by the Maritime NZ Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) to respond to Search and Rescue and spill responses around New Zealand. Feedback from John Ashby, Senior Search and Rescue Officer NZ in the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) indicates that the new and improved integrated modelling solution is providing greater accuracy and more faithful representation of hydrodynamic current fields in these more complex environments.
Figure 3: Example of SurfZoneView model output made available to MNZ during the recent Manahau Barge grounding on Carters Beach, Westport.
“The current data represents tides and residual current that Metocean Solutions are calculating at varying spatial scales and consolidating into one domain”. He notes that of particular interest is “the refinement of currents and eddies close to shore and in enclosed harbours such as Wellington where the product appears to capture some of the known back eddies. The new product is expected to increase the accuracy of drift modelling and assist with locating missing persons and vessels in the NZ coastal marine environment.” John Ashby, Senior Search and Rescue Officer NZ (RCCNZ).
Research and Innovation Hub GM Dr Brett Beamsley says, “As we do more Project Consultancy work and develop more forecast and tidal models, we will add these to the data supply to MNZ for testing – improving this service over time”. MetOcean Solutions is also committed to working collaboratively with Maritime NZ to ensure New Zealand’s critical maritime transport industries are supported by scientifically robust and accurate information and data as well as leveraging ocean experts and scientists within the team.
Figure 4: Example of integrated forecast model data used by Maritime NZ in responses to Search and Rescue and Spill responses