Wave measurement in severe ocean currents

Abstract

The measurement of ocean waves has been of particular interest, as wave data and understanding of wave phenomena are essential to ocean engineering, coastal engineering and to many marine operations. The National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, India has undertaken a wave measurement programme using Datawell waverider buoys at four locations in the northern part of the West Coast of India and at one location in the mouth of the River Godavari in the east coast where high current speeds varying from 2 to 5 knots are observed. As a consequence of prevailing high currents, significant drag forces have been experiencEd. by the buoys and their mooring system causing occasional submergence. Some of the mooring systems and the components adopted in an attempt to reduce the drag forces are highlighted. A successful technique adopted for replacing waverider buoys using the original mooring system for attaching buoys in the high flow areas of the Gulf of Cambay has been discussed.