Operational oceanography in ports and coastal areas, applications for the management of pollution events

We present the key findings derived from two European projects, SICOMARplus and GEREMIA, which focused on ocean modeling applications to support maritime safety and to safeguard the marine environment in two regions situated in the northern part of Sardinia, Italy. These projects have supported the implementation of two operational numerical prediction systems for pollution risk management at sea, in the Bonifacio Strait and the port of Olbia. The primary beneficiaries of these tools and associated products included fishermen, yachtsmen, seafarers, and individuals working at sea, as well as emergency management entities such as the Coast Guard, port authorities, and the Italian Navy.

Both prediction systems are based on advanced coastal ocean numerical models with high spatial resolution and European cutting-edge meteorological and marine data (i.e., ECMWF and Copernicus Marine Service) to establish environmental conditions at open boundaries.

Considering the SICOMARplus project, the operational products comprise a 3-day forecast of marine parameters, like sea surface temperature, wave direction and height, current speed and direction. Additionally, the system provides Oil Stranding Time and Risk Rank Maps for the Bonifacio Strait and the entire north-western coast of Sardinia.

Regarding the GEREMIA project, the operational products include a 3-day prediction of the speed and direction of surface currents, as well as Water Age within the port of Olbia and the surrounding gulfs system. These insights into water renewal times within the port, under real-time and forecast of the meteorological and marine conditions, serve as a proxy for hazard assessment in the event of a maritime accident. This is particularly crucial when significant volumes of hydrocarbons may disperse in port waters, with implications for the tourism and economic sectors, such as bathing and aquaculture.

Both systems are equipped with web-based interactive graphical user interfaces specifically designed to access operational products, allows users to zoom in on specific areas and to setup and execute numerical simulations in on-demand mode. Users are required to provide their credentials for access to the reserved area, where, after inputting basic parameters, they can perform simulations to predict the surface transport of oil or floating pollutants in north-western Sardinia.

These prediction systems and related products, specifically designed to support stakeholders, prove invaluable in planning and managing at-sea activities, enhancing safety, and reducing potential hazards arising from unexpected accidents.