Bering Sea Wave and Ice Measurements in Support of Arctic West Winter 1986

• Main Author: Thomas, III, William L.
• Other Authors: DAVID TAYLOR RESEARCH CENTER BETHESDA MD SHIP HYDROMECHANICS DEPT
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1988
• Subjects: Meteorology; Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; Snow; Ice and Permafrost; *OCEAN WAVES; *SEA ICE; COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS; FORECASTING; BERING SEA; ICE; SOUTH(DIRECTION); NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN; BUOYS; EDGES; MEASUREMENT; ICE FORMATION; ARCTIC WEST WINTER PROJECT; PE63514N; WUDN378558; Arctic; Bering Sea; Pacific; Ice; permafrost; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA197196; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA197196

Arctic West Winter 1986 (AWW-86) was conducted aboard USCGC POLAR SEA (WAGB-11) from 1 April to 30 April 1986 in the Northeast Pacific Ocean and Southern Bering Sea. During the first leg of the trial, three open ocean wave measurements were made using Delft University wave buoys. Five wave measurements were made during the remainder of the trial in the Bering Sea. Wave measurements were compared with Global Spectral Ocean Wave Model (GSOWM) forecasts which were provided by the Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center in Monterey, California. Ice edge observations were compared with ice edge forecasts provided by the Naval Polar Oceanography Center in Suitland, Maryland. Observations related to ice accretion were compared to Wise and Comisky nomogram predictions. Interviews were conducted with officers and crewmembers aboard USCGC POLAR SEA in an effort to document experience in cold weather operations which may be beneficial to the U.S. Navy.