Nautical radar measurements in Europe: applications of WaMoS II as a sensor for sea state, current and bathymetry

This paper presents the remote sensing techniques of measuring sea states, currents and bathymetry by using an X-band nautical radar. It briefly describes the fundamental methods to infer sea state information (e.g. ocean wave and current parameters) from nautical radar imagery. In addition, this work describes in detail the performance of the Wave Monitoring System WaMoS II (a commercial system for real-time monitoring of wave fields based on nautical radar technology). Two examples of nautical radar applications are presented: the first application is an example of the standard WaMoS II installation for sea state measurements, and the second application shows results of a research project aiming at the determination of shallow water bathymetry by means of nautical radar imagery.