08/11/2007

Safe sea transport and calm passenger travel are promised by an innovative new system which combines atmospheric and wave data for reliable and detailed forecasts in coastal areas. This is the ΕSPΕΝ (Integrated Operational System for Monitoring and Forecasting Waves with Application to Greek Shipping) system, which is being developed within the framework of a research programme coordinated by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) and funded by the Secretariat-General of Research and Technology ('Competitiveness' Operational Programme).

ESPEN provides advance warning of dangerous waves and weather phenomena in coastal areas. It provides the methodology, scientific resources and the technological tools to evaluate the danger to ships in given marine conditions, to assess their ability to stand up to the weather conditions and to provide a rationale for decisions relating to a prohibition on vessels leaving port.

The forecasts are high-level spatial- and time-based analyses. The system is based on a network of wave-measuring devices which operate at different locations in Greek seas and are able to send the HCMR database, in real time, wave data and forecasts for wind and sea conditions both for coastal areas and the open sea.

HCMR sends on this information via a telecommunications centre to the agencies responsible for issuing a ban on vessels leaving port, namely the Ministry of Mercantile Marine Policy, the National Meteorological Service and the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service. Additionally, it publishes the forecasts on an internet portal in a simple, informal form, in order to inform public services (local government bodies, secretariat-general for civil protection, harbour authorities, etc.), vessels that are underway, shipping companies, yachtsmen and owners of recreational boats, fishermen's associations, marine sport teams, research and university institutes, manufacturing companies, etc.

The system is expected to improve the operational capabilities of Greek shipping, since it provides timely and reliable information on the Greek seas, which have a wave dynamic with special characteristics and peculiarities.

It should be noted that, in addition to HCMR, the project also has the following partners: Marak Electronics ΑΕΒΕ, Anko ΑΕ, the Greek Register of Shipping, the National Technical University of Athens (School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering), the Institute of Acceleration Systems & Applications, Typos Hellas ΕPΕ, Βlue Star Ferries S.A., the National Meteorological Service and the Ministry of Mercantile Marine Policy.

Source: HCMR