Fugro’s coastal oceanographic team has been awarded a contract extension by England’s Regional Coastal Monitoring Programs (RCMP) for a further five years to manage the Southwest, Northwest and Northeast regional programs.
The network monitors 5,672 kilometers of English coastline.
Operated by six lead authorities, the RCMP continuously observes and records coastal processes, providing data in support of Shoreline Management Plans, coastal defense strategies and operational management of coastal protection and flood defense.
Fugro is already familiar with the programs having installed and maintained oceanographic and meteorological equipment for various parts since 2003.
Challenging installations
The installation of the RCMP shore stations and associated metocean equipment, have at times presented some challenges. In 2011, the installation of a Rosemount WaveRadar Rex on the Second Severn Bridge, located mid-span, required 2.7 km of data cable.
Although a challenge the resulting successful installation ensures that tidal elevation and wave data of the Severn Estuary are transferred to a shore-based computer in real-time via the cable, for onward display on the CCO website.
Additional sediment surveys
Additional requirements recently saw Fugro also undertake a study into sediment transport in Poole Bay, involving the collection of data using a 5 beam ADCP and a sediment tracer.
1,000 kg of fluorescent tracer sand were released approximately 400 m offshore and subsequently tracked.
Outputs from both surveys provided an understanding of the natural sediment movement in Poole Bay and will help determine the feasibility of nearshore replenishment schemes.