Low-cost platform for operational pollutant and object drift forecast

Pollutant and object drift prediction is one of the most challenging issues in operational oceanography. Operational drift forecast means a reliable low-computational cost platform able to predict drift trajectory, with its uncertainties, complemented with a synthetic geographical information system able to provide the users with the required data on drift forecast. Actimar has developed an oceanographic operational system (PREVIMEL), based on the analysis of meteorological and oceanographic conditions, which provides drift forecast and uncertainties up to 72 hours. This low-cost platform can be set up in any oceanic region within a few hours: it has been used for real time forecast of 'Prestige' oil drift with pertinent results.