Page 50: of Marine Technology Magazine (September 2015)

Products & Technologies

OTT Hydrometry & theOTT Hydrometry & the

New Monitoring Network New Monitoring Network for Scottish Ports for Scottish Ports istorically, ferry masters operating off the west coast staff, that this provides.” of Scotland would have to sail to a port and on ar- The safety considerations involved with the berthing of fer-

Hrival visually assess the weather and tide conditions ries relates not just to passengers and crew but also to the pier before deciding whether safe berthing alongside the pier or hands that assist with mooring operations in a wide variety quayside would be possible. This wastes time and fuel, and of often extreme weather conditions. “Mooring operations can causes immense frustration among passengers, who may are inherently high risk activities; handling ropes can become see ferries come close to a port, but thereafter depart without extremely heavy when wet and subject to enormous forces berthing when conditions are determined by the ferry Master when under strain,” David says. “So, it is important for us to to be unsafe. be able to assess the impact of wind, temperature and waves to

With multiple sites in island locations, remote access to ac- protect harbor operations staff. Severe weather berthing con- curate local data providing live information on tide level and ditions can also potentially cause damage to ferries and the key climatic conditions could facilitate substantial improve- structures within the ports, so again, detailed data on localized ments to the service by aiding the Masters to make a more conditions can help prevent accidents and support insurance informed decision at an earlier stage in the voyage – in some claims when necessary.” instances even before departing the previous port or harbor. Emphasizing the growing need for data, McHardie said: “In

The berthing of ferries is a highly skilled job, particularly dur- recent years, severe weather events appear to have become ing bad weather, and the decision on whether a speci