High resolution current and bathymetry determined by nautical X-band radar

The wave and current monitoring system WaMoS II is a remote sensing system based on a nautical X-Band radar generally used for navigation and ship traffic control. It has been used in recent years to monitor sea state information from moored platforms, coastal sites and moving vessels. The nautical radar can scan the sea surface over a large area (~ 10km²) with a high spatial (~7.5m) and temporal resolution (~2s). Analysing the temporal and spatial evolution of the surface wave information it is also possible to determine current and water depth information in space and time. In the paper a brief introduction into the measuring principle of WaMoS II is given and results of high resolution current and bathymetric maps for a shallow water area (<;20m) are presented. For the first time a detailed validation the WaMoS II current measurements by using in-situ ADCP measurements is presented.