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Ocean
Data Technologies, Inc.
31 School Street
Hyannis, MA 02601 USA
Phone: 508-827-4169
Cell: 508-221-8620
Fax: 508-957-2191
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 | Deepwater Ocean Current and Wave Measurements
offshore of southern Australia
April 2004 to October 2004
 Ocean Data Technologies was requested to collect ocean current and surface wave measurements at a
location offshore of southern Australia in anticipation of deep water drilling activities. Water depth
at the site was 1400 meters. While providing their standard design to measure ocean currents in
deepwater, Ocean Data also developed an innovative approach to directly measuring surface waves
in deep water locations. Typical wave measurements in deep water are performed by a wave-rider
buoy, or other accelerometer-based device. However, these techniques require a surface presence,
and data integrity could not be guaranteed given vessel traffic and violent seas. Coastal wave measurements,
much easier to obtain, would be contaminated by localized shoaling. Ocean Data teamed
with RD Instruments, manufacturer of the ADCP unit, along with researchers at Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution, for this project. The system provided six (6) months continuous measurement
of offshore wave conditions, a high-quality and unprecedented data set.
The mooring system was designed and
shipped to the local staging area near Melbourne
Australia. Ocean Data personnel
were responsible for all logistics, staging
area arrangements, and liaisons with local
service providers. Local fishing vessels
were used for field operations. Ocean Data
personnel performed all project management,
field operations, data processing,
analysis, and report preparation. The
measurement program was completed in
October 2004 with 100% data recovery,
delivering to Santos, Ltd the first known
direct measurements of ocean current and
wave conditions in this high-energy region. |