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Surface currents for search and rescue in the SE Bay of Biscay

AZTI

SASEMAR, the Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Agency, relies on accurate surface current forecasts for effective emergency response at sea. This newly developed service, integrated into SASEMAR's Environmental Data Server, provides essential information, enabling operators to assess various drift scenarios in the Bay of Biscay and plan search strategies more effectively. This newly developed operational forecasting system predicts hourly ocean conditions such as temperature, salinity, and currents (as well as drift of objects). The model used, based on Copernicus Marine data, covers a 4-day period with detailed resolution in the SE Bay of Biscay, incorporating river runoff observations for enhanced accuracy. Developed and operated by AZTI and NOW Systems, this service supports SASEMAR's activities and is valuable for users in the marine and coastal areas of the Basque Country. AZTI oversees the operational forecasting system, while NOW Systems focuses on assessing product quality operationally.

This Use Case was funded by the Copernicus Marine Service User Engagement Programme 2022-2028.