ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in the Port of Dingle

1. Where is the Port of Dingle?

The Port of Dingle is located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It is one charming and vibrant port in its own way.

Port Scale and Throughput

The port is of relatively small to medium scale. Its throughput mainly consists of local fishing activities, which play a vital role in the local economy. A large number of fishing vessels operate from here, bringing in catches of different fish species. Besides that, it also handles some small cargo shipments connected with the needs of the local community, like supplies for local business and building material.

Routes and Business

It is linked, however, with local ports along the coastline for purposes of trade and transport exchange. Although not having long-distance shipping routes compared with major commercial ports, its primary line of business remains support to local fishing activities. To some degree, it is a tourism hub with boats sightseeing around Dingle's magnificent coastal waters.

Port Management and Operation

It works by aiming at the needs of the local fishing fleet and society, having berthing arranged accordingly to ensure ease for fishing boats to approach, get into the jetty area, and clear their catches, which needs to be backed by safe conditions for vessels as well as fishermen who will operate the port. Besides all other things, coordination should extend to the availability of requirements concerning goods and services, with a view to overall functional efficiency.

Port Facilities

It has a set of facilities that are well-suited to its size and functions. There are several berths designed to accommodate the local fishing boats. There are storage areas for fish and other goods, along with basic loading and unloading equipment to assist with moving the cargo. The port also has a quay where boats can tie up and where some small-scale trading and exchanges take place.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The channel of the port is kept clear enough for the safe passage of the local vessels. There are regular checks to make sure that there are no obstacles and that the depth of the water is good enough for the boats using the port. It has direct connections with neighboring ports for the exchange of goods and resources, facilitating the local trade network.

2. Why should we measure the ocean currents in the Port of Dingle?

Measuring ocean currents in the Port of Dingle is very important for several reasons. First of all, it is necessary for the safety of the local fishing fleet. Understanding the current patterns is vital to the fishermen, who use their boats to travel safely in and out of the port. This is because unpredictable currents may make it difficult for them to return to the port, especially when they are loaded with a lot of fish or during unfavorable weather conditions. Precise current measurements can provide them with better navigational guidance and reduce the risk of accidents at sea.

Another use, which is very useful for the efficient functioning of the port, is current data. Even though it deals in relatively smaller-scale activities, the currents can influence the operation of docking and loading/unloading processes. For example, strong currents may prevent fishermen from docking their boats correctly into the jetty to accurately position them. This allows the port to optimize those operations and make the best use of the limited amount of berthing space it has available by having accurate current measurements.

Moreover, from an environmental perspective, the understanding of ocean currents helps in monitoring the health of the local marine ecosystem. Currents can affect the distribution of nutrients, larvae, and other biological elements in the water. By measuring the currents, the port can contribute to better understanding and conservation of the surrounding marine environment. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) offers a more advanced and convenient way to measure these currents compared to traditional methods.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

ADCPs work on the principle of the Doppler effect. They send acoustic signals into the water. These signals scatter off moving particles in the water, like suspended sediments or small organisms. When these acoustic signals are reflected back to the ADCP profiler, there is a frequency shift due to the Doppler effect. The ADCP measures this frequency shift and calculates the velocity of the water particles, which in turn gives the velocity of the ocean current.

Ship-borne ADCP

Ship-borne ADCPs can be installed on local fishing boats or any other small vessels operating within the port area. While the boat cruises in the port and around its immediate waters, the ADCP current meter sends acoustic pulses in all directions, normally downward and sideways. The device will then measure the current velocity at a number of depths while the boat is in motion. This creates a detailed profile of the current conditions along the boat's path, providing a comprehensive understanding of the current patterns in the areas the boat covers.

Fixed ADCP

The fixed ADCPs can be installed in the port at pre-determined locations, on the seafloor around the berth or at the channel entrance. These ADCPs can be used to continuously monitor a single-point current for longer time series. Data acquired through long-term measurement becomes imperative to understand the characteristics of currents in key areas of the port, useful in the analysis of trends and for decision-making in regard to port operations.

4. What is required to measure Dingle port currents with high quality?

To measure the ocean currents of the Port of Dingle in a high-quality manner, equipment will have to be made from materials that are reliable. Because seawater is corrosive in nature and may cause physical damage due to the surrounding marine environment, the device should be able to overcome these conditions. A compact size, lightweight, and low power consumption are some favorable qualities. Compact and lightweight ADCP current profiler is easier to install and operate, either on a boat or in a fixed location. Low power consumption allows for continuous operation without frequent battery replacement or high energy demands. Cost-effectiveness is also a key factor to enable wide-scale deployment in the port.

The casing of ADCP flow meter is preferably made of titanium alloy. The use of this material will provide excellent corrosion resistance in seawater and ensure the integrity of the device in the long run. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, indicating that it can be strong and durable yet still retain a relatively low weight. Moreover, titanium alloy is also biocompatible, reducing adverse impacts on the marine environment.

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

Selection of appropriate equipment to measure current at Port of Dingle will be a based on specific requirements.

Ship-borne ADCP

This is suitable when a broad overview of the current conditions in different parts of the port is needed. As the boat sails around the port, the ship - borne ADCP can collect data from various locations, providing a wide - range view of the current patterns in the port waters.

Bottom-mounted (Sitting on the seabed) ADCP

This type of ADCP meter is ideal for long-term and fixed-point monitoring. It can be installed at strategic points in the port, such as at the entrance of the channel or near the berths, to continuously monitor the current conditions in those specific areas.

Buoy-mounted ADCP

Buoy-mounted ADCPs have their applications in areas where it is not practical to install a fixed device on the seabed or on a boat. They can be deployed in open water areas within the port to measure the currents at different depths.

For frequency selection, different frequencies suit different water depths. A 600 kHz ADCP is suitable for water depths up to 70 meters, a 300 kHz ADCP for up to 110 meters, and a 75 kHz ADCP for much deeper waters up to 1000 meters.

There are well - known ADCP brands like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, there is also a Chinese ADCP brand, China Sonar PandaADCP. It is made of all-titanium alloy material, which ensures its durability in the marine environment and offers an excellent 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.