CHAPTER 8
OCEANOGRAPHIC PRODUCTS AND TACTICAL
DECISION AIDS
In the past 10 to 15 years an ever-increasing
emphasis has been applied to the study of the oceans
(both surface and subsurface). This increased emphasis
on oceanography has provided on-scene commanders
with tailored oceanographic computer products that
help ensure successful evolutions at sea.
In this chapter, we will discuss various
computer-generated oceanographic products that
benefit the planning and execution of successful
underway operations. Although this chapter only deals
with TESS 3 products, benefit may also be realized with
the products found in the Navy Oceanographic Data
Distribution System (NODDS) Products Manual, the
Naval Integrated Tactical Environmental Sub-System
(NITES), the National Oceanography Data
Distribution exchange System (NODDES), and the
Joint Maritime Combat Information System (JMCIS).
The applications, limitations, assumptions, and
functional descriptions of various aids to the forecaster
will be covered. For more detailed information, refer to
the respective Tactical Environmental Support System
(TESS (3)) and Shipboard Meteorological and
Oceanographic Observing System (SMOOS)
Operator's Manuals, NAVMETOCCOM instructions,
and special publications. Now let’s begin our
discussion of the computer-generated aids.
TIDAL PREDICTION (TIDE)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Identify
applications, limitations, and assumptions of
the tidal prediction product. Interpret the
24-hour tide station prediction and the tides
geographic display.
The TIDE module uses location-specific tide data
in combination with astronomical and bathymetric
effects to yield quick reliable predictions. The tidal
height may be forecast at any location for which
observed tide data are available. These locations are
provided in the tide data base. The tabular and graphic
output of the module depict tidal height versus time at
individual locations, as well as tidal heights at a given
time for several locations.
APPLICATION
A knowledge of tides is important to safe navigation
and naval warfare applications. The tides interact with
surf conditions and storm surge. These near-shore
phenomena in turn may heavily impact coastal and
amphibious operations.
Because the TIDE module
provides a versatile method of rapidly forecasting tides,
commensurate with the computer technology used for
on-scene environmental prediction, it is a useful means
of assessing tidal effects on pertinent operations.
LIMITATIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS
The restrictions as well as the principles taken
granted in using the TIDE program areas follows:
. Spatial variations in tidal heights may
depicted for 4°, 2°, 1°, 0.5°, and 0.2° squares only.
for
be
l Tidal heights may only be forecast at locations
for which observed tide data are available (that is, tide
stations provided by the data base).
l Tidal currents are not predicted by this model.
l The impact of storm surge and surf conditions is
not addressed by this model.
. The times of tidal extremes (high/low) are
predicted to the nearest 6 minutes (min).
. Tidal stations previously saved to the "TIDAL
STATION SELECTION" input screen will be erased
when new tidal stations are saved at a later time.
l Only 15 tidal stations can be retrieved atone time
in the area size selected. If more than 15 are retrieved,
the user must choose a different area size or move the
location slightly.
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
The TIDE module can generate tidal height
forecasts at numerous locations on a worldwide basis.
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