ADCL Applied in Ocean Current Measurement at Guaymas Port

1. Where is the Port of Guaymas located?

Guaymas port, sited at the Sea of Cortez in the state of Sonora, Mexico, boasts one of the most well-traveled and important ports of that area. It satisfies all kinds of marine commerce and local economic activities, the source of that area's income.

Port scale, throughput It is a pretty big port and has a diversified range of cargo-from bulk commodities of grains, ores, and chemicals to high-volume containerized cargo. Thus, it plays the role of a lifeline for imports and exports. The strategic location puts it in an important position of transportation nodes for industries both within the Sonora region and from outside the region.

Routes and Business The Guaymas port is connected with various Mexican ports, having international shipping routes joining it with the United States and other countries of the Americas. Some of the trade involved is imports of machinery, consumer goods, and building materials. Exports, for their part, would principally be agricultural products emanating from the very rich Sonoran plains and minerals from the local mines. These will have been value-added already.

Management and Operation of the Port The port will be managed on the basis of efficiency and safety. Management will observe cargo handling work based on fast loading and safe unloading. Safety and security of the port, its workforce, and vessels would be ensured with strict regulation. Such a port will also coordinate with the local industries and transport providers to facilitate the flow of goods smoothly.

Port Facilities It has all modern facilities. The port has extensive quay walls, with a number of berths accommodating different-sized vessels, from small fishing vessels to large container vessels and bulk carriers. Modern equipment for handling containers in this port includes cranes and forklifts, while bulk cargo is stacked in silos or warehoused. The vessels are also facilitated with such services as fueling, ship repair yards, freshwater, and electricity.

Channel and Navigation The channel to the port is dredged for safe vessel passage. Besides that, several navigational aids such as buoys, lights, and radar systems are installed in order to keep track of vessels for entry and exit from the port. With this system, vessels would be able to navigate safely and more directly in even worst weather and tidal conditions.

2. Why do we need to measure the currents of the ocean at Guaymas Port?

Optimising Vessel Navigation It is important to conduct measurements of currents at the Guaymas port to improve navigation. Currents in the Sea of Cortes could be quite influential regarding a ship's speed, course, and fuel consumption. With proper data of the currents, captains would be able to plan routes whereby they make the most use of favorable currents that could cut travel time and result in saving fuel. For example, when entering or leaving the port, the knowledge of the current direction and strength allows for precise maneuvers, reducing the possibility of collisions or running aground.

Infrastructure Protection The quay walls, berths, and other submerged structures within a port are always subjected to the ocean currents. Heavy and unpredicted currents may further bring about erosion, scours, and structural failure in the long run. Continuous current measurements enable the port authorities to identify the sensitive spots and take necessary protective measures such as reinforcing them or altering dredging periods, hence protecting the facilities in a port and their lifetimes.

Marine Environmental Management Ocean currents are an important aspect that need to be realized for the effective management of the marine environment in the port area. Currents play a major role in dispersion of pollutants, sediments, and heat. Monitoring of currents enables measures to be taken to control the spread of contaminants, sedimentation, and the protection of the aquatic ecosystem. This is crucial for the maintenance of a healthy marine environment and observance of environmental legislation.

Moreover, ADCP represents a more modern and practical means of ocean current measurement compared to traditional ones. It will be able to provide detailed, real-time information on the speed and direction of currents at different depths within the port for better decision-making with regard to port operations and environmental protection.

3. The principle of the Doppler

The ADCPs basically work on the principle of the Doppler effect. They send acoustic signals into the water. The acoustic waves interact with particles carried by the ocean currents, such as suspended sediments, plankton, and other small entities in the water column.

The frequency of the emitted and reflected waves changes with the Doppler effect as such waves bounce back after striking these moving particles. An ADCP measures this shifting frequency. With the aid of some sophisticated algorithms, this frequency shift is further utilized to calculate the rate at which the particles move, which in turn calculates their velocity. This sort of velocity information is transformed into the speed and direction of the ocean currents.

In the context of Guaymas port, two approaches are considered regarding ADCP deployment:

Ship-borne ADCP

The instrument is installed in a ship that could vary from fishing boats to general cargo, or even a ship exclusively equipped for research trips. Connected to the vessel, moving in circular movements above the target area and its contiguous waters, the ADCP would constantly produce and receive acoustic signals. This, when combined with the ship's own motion data and the current measurements from the ADCP, allows it to deduce quite a good picture of the ocean currents' pattern over the entire port area and surroundings, generally speaking.

Fixed ADCP The fixed ADCPs are installed in assigned locations inside the port, perhaps even at locations on the seabed facing the entrance or further on along the quay walls at strategically placed spots inside the navigation channel. These ADCPs remain fixed in place and are always recording the current conditions at each fixed point. Long-term records from fixed ADCPs have very important uses when considering normal current circulation and the detection of strange variations or trends. For planning and safety, there are important implications of this type of information in a port.

4. What's needed to deliver high-quality measurement of the currents in Guaymas Port?

• Reliable and Durable Equipment Materials First, the materials for equipment that could take high-quality measurements of the ocean currents in Guaymas port must be resistant to the hostile marine environment. Seawater is corrosive, and pressure can vary hugely with the depth it will be operating at. Non-corrosive materials able to stand long-lasting processes without losing structural features are a must for proper, continuing measurements.
• Compact Size and Light Weight These include the size and weight of the equipment. Keeping in mind that a port is generally a busy and usually area-constrained facility, a compact-size ADCP would be more practical to install on either a ship or fixed location. The lightweight design is also beneficial, especially for ship-borne ADCPs, because it minimizes the impact on stability and handling of the vessel during operation.
• Low Power Consumption In particular, low power consumption is indispensable for fixed ADCPs, especially those that need to stay in operation at all times. Minimizing power consumption not only saves operating costs but also simplifies the requirements for power supplies and enhances reliability over time.
• Titanium Alloy Casing The casing of the ADCP is highly recommended to be made from a titanium alloy. This will be highly resistant to corrosion, especially in the marine environment. Besides, it has a high strength-to-weight ratio, hence allowing for durability with relatively lightweight design. In this way, the ADCP will be able to resist pressures and impacts in the port waters without loss of performance and accuracy.

5. How to Choose the right equipment for current measurement?

Depending on the Usage Scenario

• Ship-borne ADCP: When the intention is to carry out extensive surveys of current patterns over a wide area both within the port and its adjacent waters, a ship-borne ADCP is preferred. It can be used during regular port inspections, during the planning of new infrastructure projects, or when assessing the impact of currents on vessel traffic.
• Bottom-mounted (sit-on-bottom) ADCP: In the case of long-term and stable current condition monitoring at certain key locations in the port, such as the entrance, near important berths, or near some underwater structure, a bottom-mounted ADCP should be installed. This is because real and continuous data may be necessary to understand regular flows and sudden changes that might relate to safety or operational aspects of the port.
• Buoy-mounted ADCP: In case, for a measurement point with more flexibility, mobility, or one that can get currents anywhere else to fulfill a specific need and area of operation due to some reason inaccessible may opt for a buoy-mounted ADCP.

Frequency Selection

• A frequency of 600kHz fits normally well to the ADCP if the water is not deeper than 70m.
• For depths up to 110m, a 300kHz ADCP is more appropriate.
• For deeper waters up to 1000m, a 75kHz ADCP can provide accurate measurements.

There are several well - known ADCP brands in the market, such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, a Chinese brand, China Sonar ​PandaADCP, is worth highlighting. It is made entirely of titanium alloy material, ensuring its durability and excellent performance in the marine environment. Moreover, it offers an outstanding cost - performance ratio. You can find more information on its website: (​https://china-sonar.com/).

Here is a table with some well known ADCP instrument brands and models.