Page 20: of Marine Technology Magazine (October 2013)

News A launching of a very special kind awaited IWES scientists near the re- search wind farm alpha ventus, 45 km off Borkum: a LiDAR wind measuring buoy for measuring wind speeds was put to anchor in the direct vicinity of FINO1 meteorological mast. When compared with measuring masts, the buoy can be employed at any location with no extra installation costs and re- quires a less time-consuming authori-zation procedure. This is all made possible by a cor- rection algorithm, developed at the Fraunhofer IWES, which removes the proper motion of the ß oating platform from the values measured. Using LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) appliances on land and on Þ xed platforms for measuring wind speeds at heights of 40-200m are proven. Proper motion, which falsiÞ es measurement values taken from mov- ing surfaces, has hitherto hindered the reliable employment of LiDAR appli- cations offshore. Within the framework of the project ÒOffshore Measuring BuoyÓ Ð funded by the German Fed- eral Ministry for the EnvironmentÐ Fraunhofer scientists are excited about the Þ rst North Sea deployment of the gloating LiDAR system. A Windcube LiDAR device made by the company Leosphere has been integrated into the buoy. The buoy will remain in the North Sea until October to prove its offshore suitability and to allow a validation of measurement accuracy using compari- sons with the measurement data from the stationary mast. www.fraunhofer.de Video Contest for Scientists to Share Ocean Research Ocean scientists interested in shar- ing their latest research discoveries through video are encouraged to sub-mit videos highlighting your research to the nationwide Ocean 180 Video Challenge, with the possibility of winning a cash prize. The challenge is funded by the National Science Foundation. The objective for each scientist is to develop a three-min- ute video abstract of a recent peer- reviewed ocean-science publication for submission to the 2014 Video Challenge by Dec. 1, 2013. Ocean scientists, including undergraduate and graduate students, afÞ liated with United States-based institutions are eligible to participate. The top three video abstracts will receive cash priz- es of $3,000 for Þ rst place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place.Email: mwatson@ Þ t.eduhttp://ocean180.org/ Final Rule for Nontank Vessel Response Plans The U.S. Coast Guard announced publication of the Þ nal rule to in- crease pollution response prepared-ness for nontank vessels carrying oil in U.S. waters. The Þ nal rule estab- lishes the content of oil discharge re- sponse plans so nontank vessel own- ers and operators understand how to comply with the preparation and sub-mission requirements of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Acts of 2004 and 2006. The CGM- TAs amend the Federal Water Pollu- tion Control Act, requiring owners and operators of nontank vessels to prepare and submit oil spill response plans.Floating LiDAR System The Fraunhofer IWES? LiDAR wind-measuring buoy was installed near the FINO1 meteorological mast. The buoy measures wind speeds at heights of 40-200 m.20 MTROctober 2013MTR #8 (18-33).indd 20MTR #8 (18-33).indd 2010/16/2013 9:22:34 AM10/16/2013 9:22:34 AM