Physical Oceanography and Meteorology,
Navy Search and Rescue Operation
Science Topic: Meteorology and Physical Oceanography
Physical Oceanography and Meteorology
Navy Search and Rescue Operation
Lesson Plan
Oceans & Oceanography
What is oceanography and what does
the study of oceanography include?
Physical Oceanography & Meteorology
Physical Oceanography- the study of the physical properties, conditions, and processes
of the ocean. This includes the motion of ocean waters, chemical properties of water,
tidal circulation, and how the ocean and atmosphere affect each other.
Meteorology-the study of the atmosphere; including weather observations, climatology,
atmospheric chemistry and physics, and hydrology.
Click the wave
to watch a
video about
meteorology
at sea (insert
video of Sarah
Allen)
What technology is available to study physical
oceanography and meteorology?
Helps scientists and every day people understand meteorological conditions around the
world.
Buoys provide physical oceanographic information on the world’s oceans.
Aids in navigation by showing trends in ocean motion, velocity, currents, convergence, and
direction.
Helps find location, roads, travel conditions, geographic features, weather, and buoy systems on
the ocean.
The U.S. Navy
Video Notes:
How do the physical and
meteorological conditions of the
ocean affect naval operations? Watch
the video and see if you can find some
ideas.
Where on Earth are you?
Can you find your location on Google Earth?
Where is the nearest ocean?
Under the “layers” section be sure to check out the Ocean tab and the Weather tab
for ocean observation buoys.
Under “View” turn on the Longitude and Latitude
Grid and scale bar.
What is your longitude and latitude where you
are?
What is your nearest ocean observation
buoy?
What is its longitude and latitude?
What meteorological and oceanographic
conditions is it measuring?
Photo: NOAA’s National Buoy Data Center.
Oceanographers measure in nautical miles (nm).
What is a nautical mile?
Under tools, set your ruler to measure in nautical
miles (nm) and measure to the nearest shoreline.
Remember: 1 nm = 6,076 ft = 1,852 m
Search and Rescue (SAR) Scenario
What do you need to know?
You are now a US Naval Carrier Command
Fleet of newly commissioned officers out of
Annapolis, MD Naval Academy.
You must work as a team to rescue a downed
pilot in the Atlantic ocean.
Weather at Sea
Video Notes:
Watch the video to learn more about
the weather at sea. What factors
might impact your search and rescue
operation?
Non-fixed wing aircraft
Aircraft carrier
On the Waves
Littoral combat ship (LCS)
Crest
Crest
Wave Length
Wave
Height
Click the wave to
watch a short video
about measuring
waves.
Calm water level
Longitudinal Wave (sound)
Transverse Wave (water)
Factors that Affect
Water Waves
• Wind speed
• Fetch
• Wind duration
Trough
Search and Rescue (SAR) Scenario
Begin: 36°59'46.23"N
Names of two buoys/stations along route:
75°59'37.22"W
1.
Datum (location of lost pilot):
35°36'11.29"N
72° 2'39.43"W
2.
Total nautical distance (nm)
from start to datum:
Remember: 1 nm=1,852 m
Start
Station
Distance (nm):
Long:
Lat:
Distance (nm):
Long:
Lat:
Degrees of Course:
Buoy
Datum
Distance (nm):
Long:
Lat:
Wave Height
• Which has a greater effect on
wave height, wind speed or
fetch? Why?
• How do you think travel time
will be affected by wave height
and wind speed? Why?
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/lessons/ocean_motion_wksht.html
Start
Station
Wind: 10 kts
Fetch: 30 nm
Wave height:
____________
Buoy
Wind: 20 kts
Fetch: 55 nm
Wave height:
____________
Datum
Wind: 25 kts
Fetch: 150 nm
Wave height:
____________
Getting There
Wave Height (ft)
Carrier Max
Travel Speed
(kt)
Littoral Combat
Ship
Max Travel
Speed (kt)
0-5
32 kt max
40 kt max
6-10
32 kt max
40 kt max
11-15
32 kt max
40 kt max
16-20
20 kt max
16 kt max
21+
10 kt max
10 kt max
Officer’s Notes:
•If wave height is over 1/3 of
the height of the bow of a
ship then travel speed is
severely restricted.
•Actual maximum travel
speeds of ships are classified,
this is an approximation.
•You will assume ships will
travel maximum speed to
reach the datum.
Total Travel Time
Carrier:
LCS:
Travel Speed: 1 knot (kt) = 1.852 km/hr = 1.151 mph
Nautical Distance Traveled (DT) / Total Speed (kts) (S) = Time
Start
Station
Travel Time
Wave ht:
Carrier:
LCS:
Buoy
Travel Time
Wave ht:
Carrier:
LCS:
Datum
Travel Time
Wave ht:
Carrier:
LCS:
Officer’s Notes:
•Be sure to lay your maneuvering board so that the start point is in the middle and true north (0 degrees) is aligned
with the top of your paper map. Instructors will turn the map so that true N is at the top of the screen.
•For this exercise assume that the pilot went straight down at the datum.
Calculate the drift of the pilot
How many nautical miles did the pilot drift? Can you plot this on your maneuvering board and map?
DD = CS x TD
DD = Distance Drifted
CS = Current Speed at present location
TD = Amount of time pilot has been drifting
NOTE: you will assume the amount of time the pilot has been drifting is the total travel time from
the start of the exercise to how long it takes the fastest ship (LCS) to reach the datum (see your
previous calculations).
Gulf Stream Current
(N and NE) for this
exercise use due N.
Officer’s Notes:
•Assume current is going due
North for this exercise.
•Current Speed (CS )= 5 kt
•How long was your pilot
drifting? (Hint: use the total time
it took for your carrier to get to
the datum)
Intercept Point
Pilot’s Drift
Time to Adjust for Current!
How many nm did the pilot drift?
How far (nm) is the new theoretical intercept course?
What is the compass bearing of the theoretical intercept course?
Intercept
Point
“What course do you tell your helmsman to steer
and what speed?”
Risk Analysis of SAR
• Name and explain some of physical attributes of oceanography and
meteorology that affect successful ocean navigation.
• How do these affect navigating ships?
• Does wind speed or fetch affect wave height the most? Why?
• When navigating a course why can’t a ship steer in a straight line to reach its
destination?
• What technologies are available for successful and safe naval navigation?
• Why is it important to know the mathematics and equations behind
technology?