Current Measurement Programme Completed

The Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) initiated a current measurement study to increase their understanding and knowledge on metocean data in the Lofoten - Vesterålen area in Nordland county. For this programme MSI deployed 9 separate moorings, each fitted with a current profiler (frequency depending on water depth) and CTD logger. The moorings were serviced at intervals of approximately 3 months using vessels chartered by MSI.

The observations will also be given to support the Mareano programme. Some rigs with current profilers are already in place in the area and OLF extended the current programmes with additional moorings.

The project was mobilised from Sandnessjoen and moorings were deployed in positions designated according to the least conflict with fisheries (tracking system). The positions were published in Notices to Mariners, and information given to the Norwegian Fishermen's Association, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and to the Coast Guard.

Over the course of the programme only one mooring was lost, resulting in a total successful data collection of 35 out of 36 deployments. Given the duration, quantity of moorings and location, we believe that this is a remarkable achievement.