ADCP Measured Currents for Bluff Harbour Vessel Simulator

ADCP measurements were made in Bluff Harbour, NZ, to provide Bluff pilots with high resolution horizontal tidal current patterns. A sample is given below. These patterns had up to a 25m horizontal resolution and are being used to assist them in manoevering large vessels. The current patterns are also being used as input to a vessel simulator, to allow the pilots to practice in the virtual world.

The ADCP can be seen mounted on a pole on the starboard side of the Oreti. The Bluff measurements covered the Port's 1200m by 800m vessel swinging basin. The swinging basin contains a 4 knot flood jet which is only 300m wide, as well as a 300m diameter, 1 knot, counter eddy. Additional measurements were made through Bluff's 100m wide entrance to the harbour where the peak measured current was over 6 knots!

Research on Bluff currents focuses on the development and vorticity within the jet and eddy. more...

Java animation...