Impact of NASA Satellite Data and Models on U.S. Coast Guard's Decision Support Tool for Search and Rescue in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean

The project goal is to provide improved real-time ocean surface current and wind observations as well as ocean circulation model forecasts with error estimates in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The proposed work will enhance the input into coastal management Decision Support Tools (DSTs) used by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for search and rescue (SAR). USCG has recently developed the Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAROPS), which is the next generation DST for SAR planning. SAROPS is now operational at all 50 USCG Operation Centers. SAROPS has a central Environmental Data Server (EDS) to access a variety of sources of ocean surface current and surface wind products. The EDS is collecting and archiving the data products and then delivers parsed data sets to the SAROPS¿s users where Monte Carlo trajectory analysis is generated for the SAR cases. This project will fully integrate NASA remote sensing measurements and assimilation model forecasting products into the USCG¿s DSTs for real-time operations by the end of our proposed three-year project. The general strategy for this project is to benchmark USCG SAROPS in year 1 during a proposed drifter field experiment in Prince William Sound, Alaska. We will develop the individual system components and demonstrate the system integration of various components in year 2, and to conduct another field test off the California coast in year 3 with an aim to quantify the impact of NASA Earth science results on the USCG DST SAROPS. The management approach for this project is based on a well-established arrangement between federal agencies, academic institutions and private organizations. The broader significance and utility of this project will be realized by delivering a benchmark report and a transition plan linking NASA sponsored research to USCG SAROPS operations.