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Latest News

How Bass Strait bites
Tidetech releases Bass Strait Tidal model for Melbourne to Tasmania yacht races
Sydney to Hobart East Coast Current - It's ripping
Tidetech Sydney to Hobart files now downlaodable through Expedition
Tidetech - The Naviguessor's Weapon
IT For the Modern Sailor Seminar
New Tidal Stream model for Australia's Whitsunday Island
Rolex Fastnet 2009 Competitors use Tidetech Tidal GRIB files
Tidetech tecnology changes the Sydney to Gold Coast Yact Race
Volvo Ocean Race and Tidetech
Assistance given to ladies crew in Indian Ocean Rowing Race
Using Ocean Current info during MV Pacific Adventurer oil spill

 

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21st December 2009
How Bass Strait Bites

The secrets of one of the most feared and treacherous stretches of water in the world have been revealed today as Tidetech unveil their newly developed tidal model for Bass Strait.
 
Bass Strait has a justifiable reputation for being a wild and dangerous place. The many shipwrecks that litter the Victorian and Tasmanian coasts are testament to the horrendous conditions that can occur when the might of the Southern Ocean meets a seabed that shelves from 5000 to 50m in just 100 miles. Add a west going tide of 6kts and the conditions can be absolutely heinous.
 
Now sailors transiting the Strait will have a better understanding of how to avoid such conditions thanks to Ocean data specialists Tidetech, who have produced the first publicly available tidal model for the area.


Tidal Stream image – Bass Straight

The information should be considered essential for competing yachts in the upcoming Sydney to Hobart, Melbourne to Hobart and Melbourne to Launceston yacht races and is destined to become a “must have” source of information for all mariners in Bass Straight waters.

It has been produced by internationally recognized oceanographer and Tidetech director Dr Roger Proctor. Previously Roger was tidal consultant to the UK Olympic Sailing team where he developed advanced tidal models for the Games at Quingdao, Busan, Barcelona, Sydney, Atlanta and for the Admirals Cup in the Solent. As a senior scientist with the world leading Proudman Oceanographic laboratory for 30 yrs he helped develop the UK storm surge forecasting system.

Tidetech presents its data in GRIB format which is compatible with the following navigation software:
• Expedition
• Maxsea
• Adrena
• Deckman (current only).
Users can also download our Free Viewer for as an easy method of accessing the files.

For more information contact Tidetech at info@tidetech.org or goto Melbourne to TAS races and Sydney to Hobart Race

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21st December 2009

Tidetech releases Bass Strait Tidal Stream model for Melbourne to Tasmania yacht races.

The smart competitors in this year’s M2H-W, M2H-E and M2L yacht races will have the upper hand as they depart with a newly developed Bass Strait Tidal Model on board.

Ocean data specialists Tidetech have produced a model which, for the first time, will allow Navigators to see accurate tidal stream information for some of the most challenging waters in Australia.


Tidal Stream image – Bass Straight

The model is detailed, with 2 nautical mile resolution and is available in 1 hour time steps.

The Bass Strait Tidal Model has been produced by internationally recognized oceanographer and Tidetech director Dr Roger Proctor. Previously Roger was tidal consultant to the UK Olympic Sailing team where he developed advanced tidal models for Quingdao, Busan, Barcelona, Sydney and Atlanta. A senior scientist with the world leading Proudman Oceanographic laboratory he helped develop the UK storm surge forecasting system and more recently in 2009 he developed the first tidal model for the Whitsundays.

Destined to become a “must have” source of information for all mariners in Bass Strait waters, the model should be considered essential for competing yachts in the upcoming events. The fast flowing tides in Bass Strait are immediately obvious when viewing the model, with tidal streams as strong as 6 knots being seen in some areas.


Tidal stream image – King Island

The full package with Tidetech

Used in conjunction with Tidetech’s Ocean Current products, competitors have a very unique opportunity to be the first to sail the race courses with Oceanographic data at their fingertips.


Ocean Current observations – Tasmanian Waters

Tidetech are offering a special package for this year's races which includes:
• Ocean Current data from CSIRO.
• Sea Surface Temperature data from CSIRO.
• Tidetech Bass Strait Tidal Stream Model - 2nm resolution 60 minute time intervals

Tidetech presents its data in GRIB format which is compatible with the following navigation software:
• Expedition
• Maxsea
• Adrena
• Deckman (current only).

Users can also download our Free Viewer for as an easy method of accessing the files.

For this year’s events Tidetech is also catering for those users who do not have an onboard computer. These competitors can simply request a PDF version.

Tidetech is now interfaced with Expedition so users can now download global ocean currents, high resolution tidal streams and sea temperature products from Tidetech directly into the software.

For more information contact Tidetech at info@tidetech.org or go to Melbourne to TAS races

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18th December 2009

Sydney to Hobart East Coast Current - It’s Ripping….

Strong currents of up to 4.5kts could bring boat breaking conditions for this year's Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race

It's now about time when navigators can begin to get an indication of what conditions to expect for Hobart. Certainly with all the strange weather we seem to have been having this year - (who can forget those dust storms) there has been much dock talk about the possibility of severe or unusual conditions for this year's race.

Certainly so far this year the current is displaying some extreme behaviour - it was running at 6kts off Coffs Harbour for most of October and Tasmania has been experiencing unusually strong and warm south going currents down both coasts (a problem for lobsters apparently!).

At present a large and powerful eddy is situated close to Green Cape and is sending very strong current of up to 4.5 kts in a South Easterly direction. This could be a boat breaking place to be in strong or gale force SE winds and if the conditions persist, skippers will need to take care.

With many navigators now using routing software loaded with wind and current data the temptation is to blindly follow the fastest route given by the computer; but as Yendys' navigator Will Oxley mentions in this month's Australian Sailing mag "Just remember, routing knows NO FEAR and will make NO allowance for the very ugly sea state that results when a 4 knot southerly current comes into contact with a strong southerly wind! The navigator needs to provide the “boat conservation” factor into the routing solutions."

The CSIRO's website has been a trusted source of information for currents, but one of the limitations of viewing images on a website is that whilst the quality of the data is not in doubt, an image can only portray a general idea of what is happening and the strength and direction of the current has to be estimated by eye.

Ocean data specialists Tidetech have solved that problem for sailors by producing GRIB files from CSIRO's data which can then be loaded and viewed into a chart plotter. Strength and direction is shown under a cursor and the data can be used in routing calculations.

Tidetech use commercial grade Sea Surface Temperature to add high resolution detail about the exact position of the current and to help determine which way things are trending.

Tidetech are offering a special package for this year's race which includes:

• Custom data for the S2H race area

• Full analysis of the expected current

• A pre-start briefing on the 24th Dec with Tidetech Oceanographer Dr Roger Proctor and navigation software expert Penny Haire

• Two months' Subscription to all Tidetech's web products

Tidetech is now fully integrated with Expedition tactical and navigation software. www.iexpedition.org

It is also compatible with Maxsea, Deckman, Adrena, SOB and Expedition LT

Go to www.tidetech.org for more information

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16th December 2009
Tidetech Sydney to Hobart currents now downloadable through Expedition

Fans of Expedition tactical and navigation software are used to it doing very clever things - and now they have something new to play with for this year’s Hobart.

Ocean data specialists Tidetech are producing custom current and sea temperature files for this year's Rolex Sydney to Hobart race which can be downloaded through Expedition. The files are highly compressed, which will
reduce download time (and sat phone bills).

It’s not just about the download speed though, it’s about making the job easier. Expedition lets you do just about anything to do with race nav and tactics without the navigator needing to disappear down below for hours. One of its many strengths is that it allows the navigator to download multiple sources of information and display them overlaid together in a chart plotting window.

It has a special facility to import Sydney to Hobart position reports - so with an internet connection you can have the latest weather forecast, current and everyone's skid positions all showing together and synched in time.
Carl Craford, navigator and strategist on 2008 winner Quest said. “The nav game has changed hugely over 23 Hobart’s I have done. It’s the same old game of chess - but now you’re not flying blind any more. Having the latest weather and current info is obviously vital, but Expedition just does a brilliant job of making sense who is gaining or losing, and why. “

Tidetech are offering a special package for this year's race which includes:
• Custom data for the S2H race area
• Full analysis of the expected current
• A pre-start briefing on the 24th Dec with Tidetech Oceanographer Dr Roger Proctor and navigation software
expert Penny Haire
• Two months' Subscription to all Tidetech's web products

Tidetech's data for Australia is sourced from the highly regarded CSIRO

Expedition users can also now download global ocean currents, high resolution tidal streams and sea temperature products from Tidetech.
For more information contact Tidetech at info@tidetech.org or goto http://www.tidetech.org/rolex-sydney-hobart-race

Expedition has been developed by veteran Volvo Ocean Race navigator and Whitbread winner, physicist Nick White, initially for his use in the 2001-2 Volvo Ocean Race with Team News Corp and the Stars & Stripes Americas Cup team. Since then, Expedition has been continually refined by a core group of world-renowned navigators and two-time America’s Cup winning navigator Peter Isler has consulted closely in the development of the system. The end result is a system that wins more races and is far more advanced and usable in all aspects than any other tactical software available - whether you are racing around the world or your local harbour. www.iexpedition.org

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8th December 2009
Tidetech – The Naviguessor’s Weapon

Over the last year top navigators have quickly adopted ocean data specialists Tidetech as their weapon of choice for information about currents, tides and sea temperature.

In this year’s Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race all competitors will be able to access a ground breaking package from Tidetech to give them a performance edge.

Detailed Sea Temperature data provides provides clues to the location of the fastes current

Navigators will be able to download near-real-time current and sea temperature data in GRIB format and receive a specialist analysis of the expected current in the days leading up to the race. Skippers and navigators will also be invited to attend a last minute briefing with oceanographer Dr Roger Proctor and navigation software expert Penny Haire.

Top navigator Will Oxley commented today “I’ve been using Tidetech’s info about the East Australian Current for the last year and have found it provides a significant advantage. For a Sydney to Hobart race I consider the Tidetech product to be an essential part of the navigator’s arsenal’

Tidetech introduced their Ocean Current GRIB products one week before the start of last year's race. Many of the top boats snapped up the info straight away and of the 17 yachts which used the technology, 10 of them placed in the top 20.

Overall winner Quest, line honours winner Wild Oats XI, third place-getter Wot Now and fourth placed Yendys all used Tidetech’s info.

Quest's navigator, Bruce Baker said 'We have found Tidetech’s info to be very accurate. This meant that on the Sydney to Hobart race we could use it in our tactical routing software with confidence and we believe that the information made a big difference to our overall result'.

Tidetech’s Penny Haire said “We have learned a lot since we introduced our first current files for last year’s race. Since then we have had numerous boats use our information for Australia and win races with it. We’ve put a lot of thought into how we can improve what we do for this year’s race and will be announcing more exciting new developments in the next few days to come”

Strong currents and large eddies are a common feature on the Sydney to Hobart racetrack

Tidetech’s data is obtained from the highly regarded CSIRO which has been a trusted source of information for Rolex Sydney to Hobart navigators for some years.

Like all data, it does require interpretation - so former Team GBR oceanographer and Tidetech director Dr Roger Proctor will be using his considerable expertise to provide an analysis of conditions to give competitors a performance edge.

Interested parties can sign up for the package at www.tidetech.org/rolex-sydney-hobart-race

For further details contact info@tidetech.org Penny Haire on +61 4 3763 3748 or Greg Boller on +61 4 1980 9752

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IT For the Modern Sailor Seminar

When: Monday 9th November (1800 - 2100)
Where: Middle Harbour Yacht Club -Lower Parriwi Rd, The Spit, Mosman
RSVP: jghodder@bigpond.net.au by Friday 6th November

Are you interested in learning about the latest tools available to Navigators and Tacticians?
Are you having trouble keeping up with the latest tools available to Navigators/tacticians?

Sponsored by Quantum Racing Sails, this seminar is for boat owners and navigators who are interested learning about some of the navigation/communication systems that our fastest yachts are currently using.

Feature topics include:

Azzurri’s Fleet Broadband Satellite Services (John Weller)

With the commissioning of the new Inmarsat I4 Satellite in February 2009, Australia and the Pacific Ocean now has access to a new era of Global, high-speed, cost effective, Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) services. With the Third satellite now in place over this region Fleet Broadband services are now available for high speed data and voice on a global level.
John Weller will discuss this latest technology and the service Azzurri’s Fleet broadband satellite service can offer you.
http://www.azzu.com.au/FleetSatelliteServices.htm

Using Tactical Navigation Software: Expedition (Julie Hodder)

Expedition Software is the tool being used by many of our best navigators and hottest boats, for both inshore and offshore racing. Developed in New Zealand by veteran Volvo Ocean Race navigator and Whitbread winner, physicist Nick White, it is easier to use and has the most powerful and useful functions for the racing navigator.

Julie Hodder will demonstrate some of the functions including:
• Plotting waypoints and routes
• Downloading weather and current grib Files
• Automatic Plotting
• Start line tools
• Instrument Calibration
• Schedules for measuring the performance of the opposition

http://www.iexpedition.org

Working with TideTech Data (Penny Haire)

Accurate tidal and current information is critical to our coastal offshore races. TideTech provides some of the world's most detailed and accurate oceanographic information about Ocean Currents, Sea Surface Temperature, Tidal Streams and much more...
Listen to Penny Haire explain the principles behind the data they produce and how TideTech can make all the information easy for you to view and use.

http://www.tidetech.org

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Wednesday 19th August 2009

Tidetech releases Whitsunday tidal stream model in time for the 2009 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week


The Whitsundays are world renowned for their strong tidal streams and mastering the local tide has always been top of the list in every owner’s strategy leading into Race Week. Locals who know the waters of the Whitsundays are always hot property as they get snapped up by visiting yachts to provide the much needed “local knowledge” and “inside info” of what the tide is doing around the race track.

Technology may soon leave the locals on the docks as long awaited tidal stream information for the area is now available. An ultra high resolution tidal stream model has been created by the very clever people at Tidetech, using numerical modelling techniques developed by scientists at world leading oceanographic institutions. “The Whitsunday model has been a project in the making for the past 9 months and we are very excited to have it completed in time for Race Week” said Penny Haire of Tidetech.

Haire went on to say “We have managed to pick one of the most complex places in the world to do a tidal model! It’s really been a very demanding exercise because of all the different factors around the region that influence the flow of the tide. We have had to work very hard to ensure that the effects of the myriad of headlands, bays and small islands and the wider effect of the Great Barrier Reef are properly taken into account.” This has resulted in a model of nearly half a million data points, giving the strength and direction of the tide on the race course every 30mins at a resolution of 100m.

The process has put the skills and experience of Tidetech’s expert coastal oceanographer Dr Roger Proctor to the test- though as one of the world’s leaders the field of tidal modelling he is well equipped for this. Roger has produced tidal models in support of sailing events such as the Admiral’s Cup and has been tidal consultant to the UK Olympic programme since 1988.

Late last year, former RYA Chief Instructor Penny Haire teamed up Dr Roger Proctor and former Sunsail Director Greg Boller to form Tidetech - a company dedicated to making high tech tidal prediction technology available to sailors around the globe.

Tidetech first appeared on the Australian sailing scene at last years Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race where they very successfully made available latest Ocean Current observation data in a format (GRIB) that can be read on most PC electronic chart plotters. This meant that navigators could instantly see the current strength and direction at any point on a chart.

The real benefit of the GRIB format is to be found in passage planning. Some chart plotters perform optimal routeing functions that work out the fastest route from A to B using a wind GRIB and polars (yacht performance data). This gave useful results, but navigators still have to work out their course to allow for tide using traditional paper methods. Now, at last, navigators at the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week will be able to use wind and tide GRIBS together to give them the fastest route simply, quickly and with far greater accuracy than ever before.A custom service is available for the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

See competitor support page for more details
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2nd August 2009

Rolex Fastnet Race Navigators to put Revolutionary New Tidal Stream Technology to the Test

The Rolex Fastnet Race has often been described as a “Navigator’s race” due to the complexity of options presented by the changing weather and strong tidal streams down the English Channel coast. This year’ s race will be no exception with every headland offering the prospect of major gains (or losses) as navigators scratch their heads about whether to duck in out of the tide or to head offshore. One of the biggest headaches for navigators is the mass of pre-race preparation including the filling in of endless pages of tidal atlases.

This year’s race will leave all that in the past as Rolex Fastnet Race navigators sign up in droves to test new electronic tidal stream data which promises to consign paper and pencil to the chart table drawer forever .

Late last year, former RYA Chief Instructor Penny Haire teamed up with Team GBR’s Olympic tidal consultant Dr Roger Proctor to form Tidetech- a company dedicated to making high tech tidal prediction technology available to sailors.

Tidetech’s new service produces data using a numerical model which can predict tidal streams with an accuracy of up to 95%, every 15mins for every 0.5 mile in the English Channel and 6 miles for the rest of NW Europe. The data is in electronic format and automatically takes account of the time, date and phase (i.e. Springs, Neaps or in-between)- thus no maths required!

Image 1


The data is sourced from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council’s Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) - a world leading centre in tidal and storm surge prediction. The model has become the UK’s official ‘operational forecasting’ source of tidal stream data and informs major decisions such as whether to raise or lower the Thames Barrier.

Now Tidetech are making it possible for everyone to use this incredible technology- by producing it in a format (GRIB) that can be read on most PC electronic chart plotters. This means that navigators can instantly see the tidal strength and direction at any point on a chart and go forwards and backwards in time.

The real benefit is to be found in passage planning. Some chart plotters perform optimal routeing functions that work out the fastest route from A to B using a wind GRIB and polars (yacht performance data). This gave useful results, but navigators still have to work out their course to allow for tide using traditional paper methods. Now, at last, navigators will be able to use wind and tide GRIBS together to give them the fastest route simply, quickly and with far greater accuracy than ever before.

A custom service is available for the Rolex Fastnet Race. Visit http://www.tidetech.org/rolex-fastnet-race-2009

A range of other Tidetech GRIB files are also available for a free trial before a subscription service is launched in the coming weeks. For more information see www.tidetech.org

For more information on this release or about Tidetech contact:

penny.haire@tidetech.org +(61)437 633 748
greg.boller@tidetech.org +(61)403 044 443
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20th July 2009

Decisions, Decisions…. Inshore or Offshore? …. Strong East Australian Currents will determine tactics for this weekend’s Audi Sydney to Gold Coast Race.

This winter classic of the Australian Sailing calendar has traditionally seen competing yachts hug the breakers en-route from Sydney to the Gold Coast in a bid to avoid the little understood EAC. This amazing current made famous by Nemo moves as much as 30million cubic metres of water per second in a broad ribbon up to 100kms wide and 500mteres deep. At times it can flow up to 7 knots with large eddies featuring at various points. In the week up to the race navigators are hungry for any information that will let them know what the current is doing to give them an edge.

Now, Tidetech’s EAC GRIB data will show navigators where they must stay in close and just as importantly when the offshore option could reap rich rewards.

The picture tells the story…



Today’s Tidetech data shows strong South going currents up to 5 knots North of Sydney and between Seal Rocks and Coffs Harbour, but between Pittwater and Port Stephens and Coffs Harbour and Ballina the current is slack or going N at up to 2 knots. The picture will change over the next few days though and navigators will need to keep abreast of the trends.

Tidetech’s Dr Roger Proctor and Penny Haire are offering a custom analysis for competing yachts in this weekends race. The service will include Current data in GRIB format verified with Sea Surface Temperature Data sourced from CSIRO.

Contact tidetech at info@tidetech.org for more details.

Tidetech’s data was successfully utilised by competitors in last years Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Three of the top four champions after handicap used GRIB data from Tidetech (www.tidetech.org) including overall winner Quest, third place-getter Wot Now and fourth placed Yendys.

Tidetech is the world’s leading Oceanographic consulting company specialising in high quality information for the sailing community. Dr Roger Proctor has been oceanographic consultant to the UK Olympic Sailing Team since 1987.

Further information:
Penny Haire, Tidetech, 0437 633 748 or penny.haire@tidetech.org
Greg Boller, Tidetech, 0403 044443 or greg.boller@tidetech.org

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TIDETECH'S HIGH RES TIDAL STREAM GRIBs MAY GIVE RACE TEAMS PUMA AND TELEFONICA BLUE THE WINNING EDGE ON LEG 8 OF THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE

Tidetech has supplied custom high resolution tidal data to the highly competetive Puma and Telefonica Blue teams, currently battling it out for 2nd place overall in this round-the-world ocean racing epic. Our data, sourced from the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory may give the teams a chance to beat the so far dominant Ericsson 4 team who whilst being assured 1st place overall, could still be beaten to the top spot on the podium for the next two legs.

Tides features strongly on Leg 8, where the boats take a route from Galway through the English Channel to Marstrand in Sweden. They will be passing through an area dominated by some of the strongest tidal streams seen on the race so far and Tidetech's data may make all the difference.

Making tactical decisions using wind alone is difficult enough and all the navigators in the race will be using navigation routeing software such as Expedition, Maxsea and Deckman to decide the fastest way to go. Until now navigators have had to rely on paper tidal atlases or tidal diamonds from a chart to work out which way and how fast the tide will be flowing. This information low resolution and not particularly accurate and is almost impossible to use with the sophisticated software that top navigators use. That is why having Tidetech's GRIB data is such an advantage for Puma and Telefonica Blue- it will simply make Andrew Cape's (Puma) and SciFi's (Telefonica Blue) life a whole lot easier and produce far more accurate results.

Optimal Route From Fastnet Rock to Dover

The critical time in the race will be the transit of the English Channel, where the winds are expected to soften from fast running conditions to light reaching conditions. The shortest route hugs the English Coast but the stronger West Going tide will be on the French Coast- that's if the boats make it to the Channel Islands before the tide turns against them at 2245 UTC. If they don't then they will be better off in the middle of the Channel

Optimal Route in the Middle of the English Channel

The wind will is forecast to be stronger on the French Coast- but all could change as the weather system could easily take a different track than predicted. Would be racing navigators can pitch their skills by downloading Tidtech's Free Grib files and the latest weather files to try to estimate which is the fastest route through the English Channel as the race progresses.
Images produced courtesy of Expedition Performance Systems and C-MAP Updated 2nd May 2009

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“GIRLS ON TOP IN OCEAN ROWING RACE ADVENTURE”

TIDETECH PROVIDES CRITICAL PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGE FOR THE 'OCEAN ANGELS' TEAM AS THEY LEAD THE WAY IN THE INNAUGRAL INDIAN OCEAN ROWING RACE.



The amazing Ocean Angels rowing team are, after the first 12 days of racing, approx 40 nautical miles in front of their nearest rivals in the inaugural Indian Ocean Rowing Race. www.indianoceanrowingrace09.com The Team at Tidetech are pleased to be providing crucial technical support to the Ocean Angels rowing team. This “all female” team of rowers who hail from England and Wales commenced their quest when the race started on April 19th 2009 and are the only females contesting this gruelling and dangerous event.

Our 4 ladies, Sarah, Fiona, Jo and Elin are braving the Indian Ocean with all that it has to offer. They have no engine and no sails, just the strength of their bodies, sheer determination, and 4 oars to get them 3,100 nautical miles from Western Australia to Mauritius. They are rowing 2 hours on, 2 hours off, 24 hours a day, through extreme heat, severe weather and 40 foot waves. Should they succeed, they will become the first women on the planet to row across the Indian Ocean.


     

Tidetech’s Penny Haire, with the aid of latest satellite communication technology, trained the Ocean Angels crew in how to access daily updates of the strength and direction of the Ocean Current. Tidetech and the Ocean Angels crew make use of Expedition www.iexpedition.org navigation and vessel routing software by uploading Tidetech’s Ocean current files into the software. The accuracy of Tidetech Ocean current data which is sourced as raw data from the CSIRO allows the team to obtain a daily indication of which course to steer to ensure they weave their way carefully through the maze of friendly and unfriendly Ocean Currents.

Penny Haire of Tidetech said “With a craft that is only averaging approximately 2knots of boat speed it is very easy to understand the importance of taking the best advantage of Ocean Currents. Already there has been a number of consecutive days, thanks to the Ocean current routing, where they are averaging speeds 30% faster than the other boats which propelled them from 2nd last place after the initial storm conditions abated to now being in 1st place”.
The first week of the race had teams in survival mode as they weathered conditions that made rowing almost impossible and forced most teams to endure a controlled drift and saw the retirement of three teams. “The weather settled this week and now the teams are rowing and making positive progress” Penny advised.

The Ocean Angels team, who are consciously maintaining a course that takes into account the effect of the Ocean Currents has, for the past week, been averaging the fastest speed over the ground and are now clearly in front of their male counterparts.


Interestingly they have 2578 nautical miles to the finish whilst the 2nd placed boat has 2629 nautical miles (a 40 nautical mile difference) but the Ocean Angels team has only rowed 581 nautical miles to date compared to 583 nautical miles for the 2nd placed boat which indicates that the girls are much closer to the Great Circle Route (shortest route) as well as having the currents on their side.

If ever there was a race where sayings such as “its not over till its over” or “anything can happen” are 100% true than this race is it. However, after 1/6th of the race distance being covered we are happy to say that the Ocean Angels ladies have given themselves the best possible start thanks in no small part to the Ocean Current routing instruction and advice provided by Penny and the Tidetech team.

Follow the progress of the Ocean Angels team and their position in relation to the Ocean currents right here or visit the Ocean Angels website to learn more about these amazing ladies at www.oceanangels.co.uk/ The amazing craft was built and prepared by Rowtec who have given the ladies enormous support in getting the team to the start line. Visit www.rowtec.co.uk to find out more.

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MV Pacific Adventurer oil spill disaster. March 2009, South East Queensland, Australia.

Tidetech, a Queensland based company specialising in providing accurate and detailed oceanographic data has been monitoring the events surrounding the oil spill and loss of shipping containers of ammonium nitrate from the MV Pacific Adventurer off Moreton Island. View, below this text, the latest full colour images of Ocean Current in the affected area.

These images could be of assistance in understanding the possible drift pattern relative to this incident and may be a useful graphic for media. Whilst much of the oil spilt from the ship has drifted in a Northwesterly direction driven by the surface wind effect, the drifting shipping containers (and associated chemicals) may be more directly affected by the direction of the Ocean current, which is travelling at up to 11km/hr southwards along the coast. The currents vary with time, and are an important factor for authorities to consider when investigating the fate of this accident and others or when people are missing in the oceans.

Tidetech obtains data from reliable sources to provide the latest available information about the position and strength of Ocean currents in the affected area. Third parties can access this data from Tidetech to help them to manage the aftermath of the disaster. For example the information could help:

1. Determine the drift and likely position of the shipping containers washed overboard
2. Assess the likely surface drift of the oil pollution
3. Assess the possible envronmental impact posed by the Ammonium Nitrate spill.

The Ocean current images are being provided free by Tidetech for the purpose of this incident only and any person or company reproducing the images must acknowledge www.tidetech.org as the supplier of the images.
High Resolution Sea Surface Temperature imaging is also very useful in determining the position and strength of Ocean Currents and this data is also available.

Like the latest weather, Tidetech products are essential support tools for recreational and game fishermen, the commercial shipping industry, defence, search and rescue organisations, recreational boaters, yachtsmen, research institutions, environmental organisations etc.

Contact Tidetech on info@tidetech.org if you would like to discuss our products and other specialty services. Regards, The Tidetech team.

latest current flow off Moreton Island

Latest current flow Australia East Coast