ANY PORT IN A STORM Two years ago, the PORTS system was launched. This year, during the International Year of the Ocean, the system was formally dedicated and is well on the way to helping avoid the storms and shallows that lead to collisions and groundings. PORTS stands for the Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, a system designed to provide ship masters and pilots with accurate oceanographic and meteorological information in real time so that they can avoid collisions and groundings. The system is being used in five major ports around the country. PORTS can save the maritime insurance industry millions of dollars in claims from shipping accidents. PORTS helps the environment by avoiding the hazardous material spills resulting from accidents. It can also help emergency responders, managers of coastal resources and researchers, and recreational boaters and wind surfers. PORTS was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is designed to work hand in hand with regional communities. It provides information in telephone voice and Internet formats to help gauge currents and water levels so that decisions can be made about the tonnage of a ship's load, as well as the best passage times and current weather conditions. Information about PORTS can be found on the Internet at www.opsd.nos.noaa.gov/d_ports.html For more information contact Dan Dewell at 301-713-3066.

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