NOAA: New system in Pascagoula to aid mariners

NOAA: New system in Pascagoula to aid mariners    A new ocean observing system has been installed in the port of Pascagoula, Miss. by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration that is aimed at helping improve navigation.
   The new Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS) provides observations of water levels, currents, salinity, wind speed and direction, and bridge clearance through an easy-to-use Web portal at www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ports.html.
   There are 14 similar systems in operation around the nation.
   Administered by the NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, the systems reduce the risk of vessel groundings and increase the amount of cargo moved through the port by enabling mariners to load their ships more fully and utilize every inch of dredged channel depth.
   Estimates of economic benefits directly attributed to PORTS systems range from $7 million per year for Tampa Bay to $16 million per year for Houston-Galveston.