Radar bridge clearance sensor

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a mission to help assure the safety of vessels and the efficiency of navigation on the coastal waters and the Great Lakes of the USA. To this end, accurate real-time measurements of water levels at various points are required. NOAA in meeting such needs has established a Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS) program in 1980 for the purpose of monitoring in real-time the water level and other environmental parameters at the nation's major harbor and bay systems. PORTS allows port authorities and ship operators to make sound decisions regarding loading of tonnage, maximum loads, and travel schedule, without compromising safety. A sensor to monitor the bridge clearance adds to the functionality of PORTS and addresses a major safety concern of ship operators, bridge authorities, and the general public.