Application of ADCP to the Measurement of Ocean Currents in Eyemouth Port

1. Where is Eyemouth Port?

Eyemouth Port is situated on the southeast coast of Scotland. Its location along the coast gives it an advantage of being connected to the North Sea, which is an important sea route for trade and transportation in the region. It is a key port for the local fishing industry, besides small-scale commercial purposes. The port is connected to Scotland's inland areas by local roads and facilitates the movement of goods and supplies to and from the port. Although it may not be as large as some of the larger international ports, it is strategically located and forms an integral part of the local maritime network.

Port Scale and Throughput

Eyemouth Port is a small-to-medium-sized port. It has several berths that accommodate fishing boats, small cargo vessels, and some pleasure boats. The main focus of the port is on the fishing industry, with most fishing boats using the port to offload their catch. The annual cargo volume is mostly seafood, such as fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, which is transported to nearby markets and from time to time exported to the rest of UK and Europe. Besides fishing-business, the harbor also gets small volumes of general cargo, which includes construction supplies and goods for the locals.

Shipping Routes and Business

The shipping routes of the ports are mostly local and regional. The fishing ships have regular schedules of visiting fishing spots in the North Sea. For cargo handling small-scale ships, they run between Eyemouth and nearby ports in Scotland and England. For commercial activities, the port is mostly interested in the fishing industry. There are fish processing factories within the port, where caught seafood is sorted, cleaned, and readied for sale. There are some storage and distribution services for products that are received at the port. Tourists drawn by the picturesque views along the coast, as well as tourist activities in relation to fishing, are also received at the port.

Port Management and Operation

Run by local port authorities, the port is geared towards safety, efficient processing of fishing operations, and protecting the environment. Maintenance of facilities within the port, including berths, jetties, and storage warehouses, is responsibility of the management. The management is also responsible for imposing safety on fishing boats and other ships visiting the port. Environmental law requirements, especially the handling of fishing wastes, are also seen to by the port authorities. They coordinate with local fishers, fish processors, and other interested parties to facilitate port operations.

Port Facilities

Eyemouth Port has simple but sufficient facilities. Berths and jetties where boats can be moored are provided. Fish-handling facilities, including sorting tables and live seafood storage tanks, are provided. A small warehouse facility is also provided at the port to house fishing equipment and some general cargo. There are refueling pumps to fuel the fishing boats as well as other ships. For the tourists, there are a few rudimentary facilities in the shape of a small café and an observation deck. There is a small repair yard in the port where the fishing boats can be repaired and serviced.

Waterways and Direct Navigation

Waterways around Eyemouth Port are peaceful and known to the local fishermen. The port has a simple channel demarcated for safe navigation. There are no complex navigational facilities like colossal-scale lighthouses, but there are small buoy helps to demarcate the safe channel for boats. It has direct access to the North Sea, which allows fishing boats and small cargo vessels to travel easily to their destination. The roads connecting the port and the inland areas are an important part of the transport system for the people and commodities associated with the port.

2. Why Measure Ocean Currents in Eyemouth Port?

Navigation Safety

Accurate information regarding ocean currents in Eyemouth Port is essential for navigation safety. The current regimes in the North Sea, which are controlled by tides, wind, and the general sea circulation, can potentially affect the transportation of fishing vessels and other vessels. When leaving or entering the port or while fishing in the North Sea, the sea currents change their direction and velocity. With an eye on ocean currents, boat operators can take better decisions, alter routes, and avoid taking unsafe routes, especially in cases of bad weather.

Optimization of Port Operations

The information on ocean currents can even be utilized in optimizing port activities. For example, when ships with catches return to the harbor, they can decide when to dock and how to dock with respect to the direction and power of the current. This can assist in time and labor savings, and avoiding the risk of damage to boats. Currents can also affect fishing net and tackle operation while fishing. Awareness of these elements can enhance efficiency in fishing operations.

Environmental Protection

Measurements of ocean currents play a significant role in environmental protection in the port area. The North Sea possesses a fragile marine environment. Ocean currents are also responsible for the dispersal of pollutants, such as oil spills from ships or fishing discards. In the event of any pollution incident, knowledge of the current patterns can be applied to predict where the pollutants will spread. This allows environmental managers to respond quickly to clean up and preserve the marine environment.

The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) could be an effective way of measuring ocean currents at Eyemouth Port, providing precise data for better navigation safety, better port efficiency, and environmental protection.

3. How Does ADCP Work According to the Doppler Principle?

Measurement Principle

ADCP flow meter operates based on the Doppler effect. When an ADCP fires an acoustic pulse into the water column, the sound waves hit small objects suspended in the water, like sediment or microscopic creatures. Because these objects move with the current of water, the frequency of the sound waves reflected back to the ADCP is different from the initial frequency. The frequency change is recorded by ADCP, which is the Doppler shift. Thanks to a particular formula, the instrument can determine the velocity of the water current at different depths within the water column.

Special Methods for Ocean Current Measurement in the Port

• Ship-based ADCP: It is possible to install a ship-based ADCP in a research vessel or a fishing vessel. If the vessel cruises through the waters off Eyemouth Port, the ADCP current profiler may record the current velocity at multiple depths along the vessel's path. This will be helpful to obtain a broad overview of the currents in and around the port of the North Sea.
• Fixed ADCP: Fixed ADCPs can be placed on the seabed near the port or on permanent structures like jetties. Fixed ADCPs can measure the current conditions at a specific location for an extended duration of time. They can provide information about how the currents change with time, which is useful for long-term planning and familiarity with the local sea environment.

4. What Is Required for High-Quality Ocean Current Measurement at Eyemouth Port?

Equipment Reliability

For the ADCP current meter equipment to be effective in measuring ocean current quality at Eyemouth Port, it must be stable. Weather is unpredictable along the North Sea with extreme weather conditions such as windy days and large seas. ADCP must remain steadfast without collapsing easily when working under these harsh weather conditions. Stabilizing equipment results in consistent, correct data collection required to make sound decisions.

The ADCP should be light and small, especially for use on fishing boats where space is limited. Low power consumption is also important, as most fishing boats and small ships lack a big power source. This allows for long - term operation of the ADCP, either from batteries or a small boat generator.

Cost-effectiveness

Since Eyemouth Port is a small port, the cost of the ADCP meter has to be affordable. An affordable ADCP will allow the local fishermen or port authorities to buy it. A few units may be purchased if required to keep watch on various locations within and around the port to provide an enhanced picture of the ocean currents.

Material Selection

The ADCP profiler casing should be made of corrosion-resistant materials, like stainless steel or a special alloy. The North Sea is salty and can corrode equipment easily. The employment of corrosion - resistant materials ensures that the ADCP will last for a long time in the marine environment.

5. How to Choose the Right Equipment for Ocean Current Measurement?

Choice Based on Usage

• Ship-borne ADCP: It is suitable for achieving a broad overview of the prevailing condition in the port and nearby sea regions. In case a research vessel or a fishing boat has to conduct a quick overview of the prevailing condition while traveling, a ship-borne ADCP is advised.
• Sit-on-bottom ADCP: It is appropriate for long - term monitoring of a specific location in the port, e.g., at the entrance or in a favorite fishing location.
• Buoy-mounted ADCP: It can be used to get data at the water surface, especially where it's difficult to install an ADCP on the bottom.

Selection Based on Frequency

• For the relatively shallow water covering Eyemouth Port (typically less than 50m), a 600kHz or higher ADCP frequency can provide higher accuracy. The high-frequency ADCPs are more ideal for use in shallow water because they are able to provide greater information about the currents near the surface.
• There are numerous ADCP brands available in the market. When choosing an ADCP for Eyemouth Port, one has to consider the specific needs of the port, such as the size of the vessels, the nature of activities, and the budget. Some well-known brands have quality products, but local suppliers can also provide cheaper alternatives that are most suitable for the small-scale activities in Eyemouth Port.

There are several well-known ADCP brands on the market, such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. But if you are seeking a cost-efficient and high-quality product, the Chinese product China Sonar PandaADCP is strongly suggested. It is constructed of all-titanium alloy material, guaranteeing superior durability in the ocean environment, and provides an exceptionally high cost-performance ratio. You can access their website at https://china-sonar.com for details.

Here is a table with some well known Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) instrument brands and models.