R-04-05 Wave predictions for coastal Gulf of Maine

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

November 8, 2018

Vijay Panchang
Maritime Systems Engineering Department
Texas A & M University
P.O. Box 1675
Galveston, TX 77553-1675
409.740.4504
panchanv@tamug.tamu.edu

On Maine’s 3,000 mile coastline, surface waves may comprise the most energetic elements of the physical oceanography affecting coastal communities and habitats. Information about wave conditions has many applications, including the safety of boat or ship operations, the transport of sediment or nutrients in the water, the siting of aquaculture activities, and coastal engineering. Building on previous Maine Sea Grant-funded wave modeling studies, Panchang developed a detailed atlas of fine-resolution wave climates in coastal Maine and a computerized wave prediction system for forecasting wave heights.

Wave forecasts now cover all of coastal Maine, providing 48-hour forecasts of wave height, peak period, and wave direction (see the Web site). A module was added last year for wave-induced surface drift velocities, which NOAA oil spill forecasters requested and access as needed. Surfers in Maine use the online forecasts to choose locations and times best suited for surfing. Learn more at the GoMOOS site.

2-year project, 2004-2006
Total Sea Grant funds: $95,000

Associated Publications
Chen, W., V. Panchang and Z Demirbilek. 2005. On the modeling of wave-current interaction using the eliiptic mild-slope wave equation. Ocean Engineering 32:2135-2164.

Li, D., Panchang, V., and Jin, J. 2005. Development of an online coastal wave prediction system, pp. 24-32 in L. Wallendorf, L. Ewing, S. Rogers and C. Jones (editors), Solutions to Coastal Disasters. American Society of Civil Engineers.

Panchang, V.G., Jeong, C. and Li, D. 2008. Wave climatology in coastal Maine for aquaculture and other applications. Estuaries and Coasts 31:289-299.

Panchang, V., and D. Li. 2006. Large waves in the Gulf of Mexico Caused by Hurricane Ivan. American Meteorological Society April 2006:481-489.

Schmitt, C. 2008. Bizarre wave event in Boothbay Harbor puzzles scientists. The Working Waterfront, Vol. 21, No. 11.