May 9, 2018
Hello Coast Survey,
Please join us on Wednesday, May 23, 1-3 p.m., for our next all-hands meeting. From precision navigation and hurricane preparedness to the NOAA Custom Chart tool, we have a lot to share with you since we last met in January. More details and a calendar invitation will follow.
Moving forward, it is my aim to hold these meetings quarterly. I hope you all can make it in person at the NOAA Science Center or register for the webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2916107537605287171
Rear Admiral Shepard M. Smith
Director, Office of Coast Survey
NOAA collects shoreline data for nautical charts using remote sensing
On Wednesday May 2, Rear Adm. Shep Smith and Capt. Liz Kretovic joined NOAA pilots Lt. JC Clark and Lt. Adam Ruckman, and Jamie Kum as they took to the air in NOAA Twin Otter N57RF to acquire shoreline imagery for application into NOAA nautical charts on the bay side of the eastern shore of Maryland. The NOAA National Geodetic Survey’s (NGS) Remote Sensing Division plans and acquires aerial photography and compiles shoreline data using Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) technology. Lidar is an active remote sensing system that uses the round trip travel time of a laser pulse from the aircraft to the ground to calculate highly accurate spot elevation. During the course of the two and a half hour flight, the crew flew along several overlapping transect lines parallel to the coast. The water quality was excellent and allowed for the lidar to penetrate 5-10 meters of water, which increases the accuracy of coastal bathymetry and data applied to NOAA nautical charts. For more information contact Elizabeth.Kretovic@noaa.gov@noaa.gov.
NOAA makes forecast data easier to display in marine navigation systems
Coast Survey recently started producing NOAA operational forecast system (OFS) data in formats that are easily ingested by marine navigation systems, making data access more convenient for those needing to make critical decisions on the water. OFS are national networks of operational nowcast and forecast models that can be used for activities such as search and rescue, recreation boating, fishing, and storm effect tracking. In addition to displaying nowcasts and forecasts in real-time navigation system displays, these data can also optimize route planning for commercial ships. Ultimately, these model forecast data will be available for machine-to-machine exchange, with data file sizes small enough to enable delivery from shore to vessel over existing communication and data networks. Read more on our blog. For more information contact Neil.D.Weston@noaa.gov.@noaa.gov.
Children at the 2018 NOAA Kids Day enjoy activities with NOAA Coast Survey
Volunteers from Coast Survey interacted with more than 140 six- and seven-year-olds for the 2018 NOAA Kids Day. Coast Survey brought an interactive sandbox that displayed a 3-D dynamic topographic map. By moving the sand around to make mountains and valleys, kids learned how underwater topography can change over time and also about the importance of NOAA nautical charts in helping mariners navigate artifacts on the seafloor. Coast Survey's exhibit included a model NOAA ship and the children asked questions to NOAA Corps officers Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Forney and Lt. Matthew Forrest about life at sea. Lorraine Robidoux coordinated the Coast Survey volunteers, which included Paul Turner, Melanie Feliciano, Kristen Crossett, Gina Digiantonio, Corey Allen, Patrick Keown, and Doug Wood. For more information contact Lorraine.Robidoux@noaa.gov.
NOAA Coast Survey participates in a hurricane table top exercise
Every two years the Federal Emergency Management Agency conducts a national level exercise, that is a two-week event to test and evaluate the readiness of federal, state, local, and tribal governments to protect against, respond to, and recover from a catastrophic incident in a coordinated and unified manner. This year's exercise was based on a major hurricane impact to the mid-Atlantic and national capital region. Working with NOAA's Homeland Security Program Office, Coast Survey’s Navigation Services Division used simulated daily hurricane forecasts to run a table top exercise and plan navigation response team (NRT) efforts for hurricane "Cora." For a week, navigation managers and a team from headquarters planned where to stage personnel and NRT assets to support response efforts. This culminated in the preposition of all NRTs to support the hurricane's final landfall on Hampton Road and subsequent track though Washington, DC. The exercise was one of many preparations Coast Survey is making in advance of the 2018 hurricane season. For more information contact James.M.Crocker@noaa.gov.
Every two years the Federal Emergency Management Agency conducts a national level exercise, that is a two-week event to test and evaluate the readiness of federal, state, local, and tribal governments to protect against, respond to, and recover from a catastrophic incident in a coordinated and unified manner. This year's exercise was based on a major hurricane impact to the mid-Atlantic and national capital region. Working with NOAA's Homeland Security Program Office, Coast Survey’s Navigation Services Division used simulated daily hurricane forecasts to run a table top exercise and plan navigation response team (NRT) efforts for hurricane "Cora." For a week, navigation managers and a team from headquarters planned where to stage personnel and NRT assets to support response efforts. This culminated in the preposition of all NRTs to support the hurricane's final landfall on Hampton Road and subsequent track though Washington, DC. The exercise was one of many preparations Coast Survey is making in advance of the 2018 hurricane season. For more information contact James.M.Crocker@noaa.gov.
Staff Updates
Coast Survey’s Terence Lynch was among the graduating class, Class 10, of the NOAA Leadership Competencies Development Program (LCDP). Lynch, a lead management and program analyst, completed four developmental assignments in the Integrated Ocean and Observing Systems (IOOS) Program Office, NESDIS Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer Division, the National Ocean Service, and the Department of Commerce’s Enterprise Services Office during his time in the program. The NOAA LCDP is a competitive 18-month program that provides a series of training and learning experiences for NOAA employees who have a high potential for assuming greater leadership responsibilities in the agency.
Office Reconfiguration
Last week, Coast Survey completed its eighth and final phase of the Silver Spring reconfiguration with the Marine Chart Division’s move into their new location. The reconfiguration was a 16-month phased project that was planned nearly four years ago by now-retired, former Resource Management Staff Chief Curt Loy. While the physical moves of employees are complete, there are remaining items that will cap off the reconfiguration later this year, including rebuilt large and medium conference rooms (with better A/V for teleconferencing), repaired chairs, and an office-wide wireless network on the 6th and 7th floors. We thank you for your patience throughout the move.
Office Reconfiguration
did you know?
What's the difference between a grounding and a stranding? Or collision and allision? Expand your nautical vocabulary and find the answers in the Office of Response and Restoration's You Say Collision, I Say Allision; Let's Sort the Whole Thing Out. (Image: U.S. Coast Guard)
coming up
5/6-5/12 - National Hurricane Preparedness Week
5/22 - NOAA Bronze Medal and Distinguished Career Award ceremony, NOAA Auditorium in Silver Spring, Maryland
5/22 - National Maritime Day
5/23 - Coast Survey All Hands meeting, 1-3 p.m. in the NOAA Science Center
6/1 - Atlantic hurricane season begins
