CALYPSO, a permanent and operational network of High-Frequency radar observing systems for real-time monitoring of surface currents in the Malta-Sicily channel

Abstract

Illegal migration often results in dramatic loss of lives that can be avoided with timely Search and Rescue (SAR) interventions; such SAR services require accurate information such as on sea-state and operational tools such as trajectory forecasting for floating objects at sea. The maritime transport of oil crossing this region accounts for 25% of the global maritime traffic and for nearly 7% of the world oil accidents over the last 25 years. In combination with localized oil extraction plants existing in the shelf zones this situation presents a serious threat to both the open-sea and coastal-zone habitats, with consequent impacts on local economic activities as tourism and fisheries, impacts on ecosystems and losses in revenue. In the case of both accidental/deliberate oil spills or drifting-vessel emergency, an operative response chain must include both the detection and the trajectory prediction steps, that take advantage of the most appropriate methodologies and data availability such as: updated meteorological information, near-surface current measurements, and hydrodynamic models with oil spill weathering processes modules. Indeed, both the knowledge of initial positions and an accurate, effective and prompt prediction of their future pathways are of fundamental importance to optimize response activities, shortening the intervention time and increasing their efficacy. In the particular case of oil spills, the knowledge of spill trajectories is very important to anticipate impacts on economic and environmental assets on threatened coasts; the provision of accurate information to decision makers together with training in best practices and damage recovery methods need to be adopted in order to minimize spill impacts.