U.S. Coast Guard to use CODAR HF Radars for Search and Rescue
Release Date: 9 May 2009

The U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA announced this week that they are incorporating synoptic HF radar surface current data into the latest version of the Coast Guard's search and rescue prediction system, known as SAROPS (Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System). SAROPS has been redesigned to digest CODAR HF radar data on an operational basis. The system is being inaugurated with HF radar data provided by the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association, which is on the east coast of the USA and is a component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). It uses CODAR SeaSonde HF radars. According to NOAA IOOS Program Director Zdenka Willis, "This is about saving lives."

In addition to supporting SAR operations, NOAA states that the technology can be used in support of oil spill response, harmful algal bloom monitoring and water quality assessments. The full NOAA / USCG release can be viewed through the NOAA website by clicking here.