Repair and Hardening of Mid Atlantic Ocean Observing Assets After Hurricane Sandy

Seventeen High Frequency radars were damaged within the Mid Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System when Hurricane Sandy passed through the region in October 2012. The objective of this proposal is to repair and harden these observing system assets. The benefits of this work will increase the coverage and data quality of the surface current measurements in the region. The US Coast Guard uses the surface currents operationally for search and rescue and NOAA Office of Response and Restoration for oil spill response. Other users of the data include New Jersey and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection offices, county health offices and Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The technical networks that will be leveraged are the Mid- -Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System, NOAA National High Frequency Radar Network, DHS National Center for Secure and Resilient Maritime Commerce and the NJ Board of Public Utilities Radar Network.