RR415 - Weather safety in the North West approaches - An implementation test using satellite data in assessing wave energy dynamics

This report provides a summary of the activities and findings of a project, co-sponsored by the HSE Offshore Division (OSD) and BNSC under the GIFTSS scheme, aimed at supporting HSE OSD in its responsibility for the safe operation of oil and gas installations operating in UK waters. Specifically this project was initiated to consider the added contribution that EO data could make to improve on existing systems available to monitor and assess wave conditions in the NW approaches to the UK.

In this report we summarise existing knowledge on the wave climate of the NW approaches, assess the capabilities of "conventional" non-EO data sources, review the key characteristics and capabilities of satellite derived wave information, present and evaluate demonstration data sets generated during the study, assess the potential benefits that such "EO-enhanced" services offer the HSE, and finally provide recommendations for implementation of a NW Approaches Wave Monitoring and Statistical Analysis Service.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

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Updated 2021-04-20