Tidetech Brief

Tidetech Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

New oceanographic data in ship-routing trial for ships and superyachts to improve routing efficiency

November 02, 2011

New data that enables ships and superyachts to improve their routing efficiency is being trialled with a major cruise line company. The data, provided by oceanographic data specialist Tidetech, will allow captains and deck officers to route their vessels more efficiently, saving time, fuel and money while reducing environmental impact.

Tidetechs new oceanographic data in ship-routing trial for ships and superyachts to improve routing efficiency

Tidetechs new oceanographic data in ship-routing trial for ships and superyachts to improve routing efficiency

The scientific data can be integrated with onboard navigation systems and provides an accurate feed of global ocean currents, sea surface temperatures and wave forecasts.

Tidetech’s managing director Penny Haire said the data could potentially save shipping companies and superyacht owners thousands of dollars in fuel.

“Ocean currents and trade winds have been relied upon for hundreds of years in trade shipping,” Ms Haire said.

“Previously data was based on estimates and historical information, providing an average ocean current estimate for a given month.

“Our oceanographic scientists evaluate data from multiple sources including satellites, government agencies and observation (among many others) to establish the exact location of constantly moving currents.

“The combination of applied oceanography and meteorology can result in large bunker cost savings and in turn will help ships meet their environmental obligations.”

Tidetech’s scientific team is made up of the world foremost oceanographic experts with over 60 years combined experience at the UK’s Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (now National Oceanography Centre). The team also includes navigators and specialists in sensor networks and data management.

“The combination of scientists and data developers means we can choose the best information available and adapt it to fit into onboard systems,” Ms Haire said.

“We’re currently running a live trial aboard several cruise liners and should have definitive results by the end of the year.”

Tidetech also supplies tactical oceanographic data to sailing competitors and is a technical supplier to the 34th America’s Cup and the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race.

Tidetech will be exhibiting at the upcoming METS trade show, 15-17 November, Amsterdam.

Volvo Ocean Race using Tidetech tactical oceanographic data

October 04, 2011

For the first time in a Volvo Ocean Race, the global ocean current models and sea surface temperature (SST) from Australian oceanographic data specialist Tidetech will be provided to all teams for the 2011-12 event, giving a dynamic element to racing tactics as said by Tidetech director Penny Haire.

Sea temperature and Currents heating up for 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - Tidetech

Sea temperature and Currents heating up for 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - Tidetech

“The Volvo Ocean Race has always been influenced by currents, but the tactical focus has traditionally been on weather in the absence of accurate oceanographic information,” Ms Haire said.

“The combination of SST, current and weather inputs into tactical software will allow navigators to make more informed decisions that could result in a clear performance advantage.”

Ocean currents and trade winds have been relied upon for hundreds of years in trade shipping. Previously data was based on estimates and historical information, providing an average ocean current estimate for a given month.

Tidetech’s scientific team evaluates data from multiple sources including satellites, government agencies and observation (among many others) to establish the exact location of constantly moving currents.

Sea surface temperature is often the critical factor as ocean ‘fronts’ where water changes from cold to warm is where the highest differences of current are likely to be found.

SST can also have an effect on localised winds. Increased temperature can create what amounts to a mini pressure differential above the ocean surface that can alter the wind strength and direction.

Savvy navigators will use the data to position their boats in favourable current of potentially several knots (or avoid heavy current against them).

Volvo Ocean Race marine weather consultant Gonzalo Infante said Tidetech’s data was another tactical element designed to increase the competitiveness of the race.

“Tidetech’s data is about as near to real-time as it is possible to achieve in ocean current predictions,” Mr Infante said.

“Clever tactics will be the deciding factor and if a boat gains even a few minutes it could mean a significant difference in the overall standings.”

Tidetech has provided ocean current data in three consecutive Sydney to Hobart races, supporting the overall and line-honours winners in each race. Other recent accolades include the 2011 Fastnet supporting monohull and multihull record breakers and top three IRC overall boats.

Tidetech is also supplying the 34th America’s Cup with its San Francisco Bay tidal model.

Tidetech shows complex tidal influences for 2011 Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes

July 13, 2011

A recently-developed, high-resolution tidal model for the Solent and UK south coast has revealed the complexity of tidal streams and currents in this competitive racing area. The model details an area including Southampton Water, the entire Solent, the southern sectors of the Isle of Wight and the entrance to Chichester Harbour.

Tidetech shows complex tidal influences for 2011 Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes

Tidetech shows complex tidal influences for 2011 Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes

Tidal data of this resolution has previously been the domain of government agencies, oil companies and specialist environmental modelling agencies with access to super computers. Now able to be managed on powerful laptops, the complex calculations required to create the models have been translated into easy-to-view visual tools available to competitive sailors and maritime users.

The company at the forefront of this data modelling is Tidetech, an oceanographic data specialist comprising the world’s foremost tidal surge modelling scientists and navigation experts. Of significant note, Tidetech has been recruited to supply the 34th America’s Cup with its San Francisco Bay model.

Lead scientists Dr Roger Proctor and Dr Roger Flather have between them over 60 years of research experience with the Proudman Oceanography Centre (now the National Oceanography Centre), the world’s leading centre for tidal prediction. Dr Proctor also provided elite sailing support to the British Olympic Sailing Team at five consecutive Games between 1988 and 2008.

Tidetech director Penny Haire said races in the Solent were more often influenced tactically by tides than by wind.

“This new information is so detailed that it will show tacticians how and why one particular side of a course is favoured over another and help them to position their bow in front at the next mark,” Ms Haire said.

“The south coast model clarifies various aspects of Solent currents that many competitors have found tricky in the past… for example, the model clearly shows the area of reduced tide in the lee of the Bramble Bank along with the complexities of the Hill Head region.

“The model shows lots of areas that could well influence competitors’ tactics… it’s quite revealing, as there are areas of localised tidal acceleration that occur within very short distances.

“Over Sturbridge Shoal and at Lepe, for example, there’s a visible half-knot variation within 100m distance and that could make a considerable difference to yachts within this range.”

The detailed information is available in GRIB format but also in an online viewer that allows any subscriber to see the relevant data on a computer, iPad or smart phone and make their own custom tidal atlas which can be downloaded as a PDF and printed for taking afloat.

Tidetech has provided data to vessels in many of the world’s biggest races and regattas including the Rolex Sydney to Hobart, San Francisco Big Boat Series, Melges 32 Worlds and many more.

The south coast model is also being expanded to cover the Dorset coastline in time for the Fastnet race.

Tidetech Tidal stream data for Round the Island Race

June 21, 2011

Tactical racing oceanographic data specialist Tidetech is making its Solent and Isle of Wight tidal model available to all competitors in the JP Morgan Round the Island Race at no cost.

The Solent and Isle of Wight model is a ground-breaking hydrodynamic model using over half a million individually-calculated points to describe the tidal flow in the Solent and around the Isle of Wight in incredible detail. The model operates at 100m resolution in 15-minute time steps and is constructed using the same technology as Tidetech’s model of San Francisco which is to be used in the 2013 America’s Cup.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race - photo by TH Martinez

J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race - photo by TH Martinez

Tidetech’s models are available in GRIB format (used in conjunction with navigation software) and the company has recently developed an image player allowing users to view the data online on a PC, iPad or smartphone. Users can make a customised tidal atlas by selecting and downloading the images as a PDF for viewing offline and those such as dinghy and sportsboat sailors (who might worry about their electronics taking a swim) can print and laminate their customised tidal atlas for taking onboard.

Tidetech director and co-founder Penny Haire said the company had spent the past two-and-a-half years surveying key racing areas and developing accurate visualisation tools for navigators and competitors.

“Now we have the image player and custom tidal atlas generator in place, our data is available to anyone with an internet connection,” Ms Haire said.

“We’re hoping that competitors in the JP Morgan Round the Island Race will try the model and image player to get an idea of the accuracy of the data, but also to see how easy it is to use in the tools we have developed.”

The model will be available via general subscription from early July in both GRIB format and in the new image player/tidal atlas maker.

JP Morgan Round the Island Race - I Cap leopard

JP Morgan Round the Island Race - I Cap leopard

Tidal models are constructed using detailed bathymetric data (depths) and knowledge of local tidal constituents. Complex calculations are then used to calculate how water moves from one part of the model area to another. The team behind the data is made up of pre-eminent government research scientists specialising in coastal oceanography and tidal/storm-surge modelling.

Tidetech has developed models for many active racing locations worldwide including San Francisco Bay, Weymouth Harbour, Sydney Harbour and Bass Strait. The company is providing support to many future regattas and events including the Rolex Fastnet Race, the RORC calendar, Rolex Sydney to Hobart, San Francisco Big Boat series, and is in discussions with the Volvo Ocean Race.

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: Tactical Oceanographic Data now available for Hobart approaches

December 21, 2010

The last 10 miles of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (from Iron Pot to the finish) has often been the graveyard of ambitions for many competitors. With the finish line in sight, fickle winds and tides make it a tactician’s nightmare, potentially wrecking an otherwise well-sailed race.

New tactical oceanographic data covering a large area of southeast Tasmania spanning South Cape, Tasman Peninsular, D’Entrecasteaux Channel, Storm Bay, the Derwent Estuary and up the Derwent River, is now available for the first time to competitors.

Tidetech’s CSIRO Southeast Tasmania Model

Tidetech’s CSIRO Southeast Tasmania Model

CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research has been conducting oceanographic studies in this area for years and has recently agreed to make available data from its state-of-the-art, high-resolution model that forecasts sea-surface height, current, temperature and salinity for this area through the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Tidetech’s scientific team has been working to technically manipulate this data, converting it to GRIB files that can be downloaded to navigation software.

Traditionally, Sydney to Hobart races have been won and lost in the last 30 miles. Wind can die after sunset; an often strong outflow from the Derwent River can have a huge effect (particularly after rain) by mixing with the tidal flow to make current patterns complex and unpredictable; river flow often stays in a narrow band all the way out to the Tasman Peninsular, enhanced by the ebb tide. With this new data, skippers and tacticians will have an opportunity to make the most of arguably one of the flukiest stretches of water in ocean yacht racing.

Tidetech CSIRO Derwent Estuary Model

Tidetech CSIRO Derwent Estuary Model

Available as a subscription, Tidetech data is downloaded into onboard navigation software. With detailed graphical presentation users can select the information they want displayed including ocean current strength and direction, sea surface temperature and tidal streams. The data is presented in GRIB format which is compatible with the more popular race navigation and tactical software packages.

Tidetech CSIRO Storm Bay Model

Tidetech CSIRO Storm Bay Model

Tidetech’s products are also available for use in the 2010 Melbourne to Hobart and Launceston to Hobart races.

Tidetech’s data has been used in many other regattas and races including the Melges 32 World’s, Rolex Big Boat Series (San Francisco), Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race (the data was also used in the popular online game, Virtual Regatta, for the same race) and many others as far back as the 2008 Sydney to Hobart.

Tidetech is also in the running to provide oceanographic data to the forthcoming Volvo Ocean Race and 34th America’s Cup.

Sea Temperature and Currents Heating up for 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

December 14, 2010

Ocean currents and sea surface temperatures off Australia’s New South Wales’ coast are looking very interesting in the lead-up to the 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

In a similar fashion to last year, a large eddy of warm water is forming offshore which indicates strong southerly surface currents. With favourable wind, this potentially means massive gains for canny competitors.

Sea temperature and Currents heating up for 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - Tidetech

Sea temperature and Currents heating up for 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - Tidetech

The forecasts have been made by Australian -based Company Tidetech – the world’s leading provider of tactical oceanographic data. Its comprehensive resource of detailed and accurate oceanographic data is compiled by internationally-recognised scientists and is produced in formats compatible with a range of tactical/navigation software packages, making it ready-to-use by sailors and other maritime users.

Tidetech director Penny Haire said over the past few days the currents to the northeast of Sydney had changed quite rapidly as a huge and powerful warm eddy was pushing its way south.

“We expect this eddy to continue moving south, which will have an immediate impact on tactics after the boats depart Sydney Heads,” Ms Haire said.

“Skippers will have to decide whether to be bold and go offshore to get maximum benefit, or be conservative and stick close to their competition.

“It’s Tidetech’s job to provide navigators with the best possible information so they can make confident decisions.”

The 2009 Sydney to Hobart IRC overall winner, Two True, used Tidetech’s data to its advantage. Heading further east than any other vessel, the team made the most of strong southerly currents and won the race.

Tidetech’s data has been used in many other regattas and races including the Melges 32 World’s, Rolex Big Boat Series (San Francisco), Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race (the data was also used in the popular online game, Virtual Regatta, for the same race) and many others as far back as the 2008 Sydney to Hobart.

Tidetech is also in the running to provide oceanographic data to the forthcoming Volvo Ocean Race and 34th America’s Cup.

Available as a subscription, Tidetech data is downloaded into onboard navigation software. With detailed graphical presentation, users can select the information they want displayed including ocean current strength and direction, sea surface temperature and tidal streams. The data is presented in GRIB format which is compatible with the more popular race navigation and tactical software packages.

Within the next year, all Tidetech products will be developed for use on mobile devices such as the iPad and iPhone and will also be integrated with a growing number of navigation systems.

Tidetech’s products are also available for use in the 2010 Melbourne to Hobart and Launceston to Hobart races.