Can Smart Technologies Forecast Rip Currents?
Who does not like a ‘good’ day at the beach or seaside with the ideal conditions – enjoying sun, sand and the sea with family and friends. While the sea is an important factor in making one’s day at the beach to be nothing short of divine, strong currents or rip currents can make a day at the beach less appealing.
The tragic passing of the celebrated son of 1980’s sitcom, “The Cosby Show”, has re-ignited interest and several discussions on the dangers of rip currents while urging beachgoers to heed warnings before dipping your toe in…
But sometimes heeding local beach warnings and swimming cautiously are not sufficient as rip currents appear and disappear due to factors such as wave conditions, tidal patterns and the shape of the ocean floor. Similar to how we rely on the weather forecast (sunny and breezy) to determine the ideal beach day, so too it would be great to know, beforehand, if there are forecasts of rip currents at the beach.
According to Dr. Ava Maxam, IMA Director, smart technologies can be deployed to forecast rip currents. She explained that research organisations are relying on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and collect data on rip current occurrence and intensity at selected beaches in the United States, Korea and Australia to develop and test rip current forecasts. In 2021, the NOAA developed and implemented a national rip current forecast model, which can predict the hourly probability of rip currents along U.S. beaches up to six days in advance (Click here to access the model).
She cited the ongoing research undertaken by the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA) as another example of an organization using AI to develop and enhance rip current forecasts. The KHOA collects datasets or data transmitted from real-time rip current monitoring systems via webcams strategically placed on beaches and applies AI and computer vision technologies to develop forecasts on the occurrence of rip currents, which enables a rapid response before an incidence can occur. In this way, beachgoers can be informed of rip current forecasts at a specific beach via mobile application.
Dr. Maxam also mentioned other technologies such as the use of Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in maritime rescue operations. Emerging smart technologies are well suited to enhance rip current forecasts which can enhance beachgoer’s visits and safety. She drew upon the real case scenario of the Pensacola Beach Incident in the United States, which took place earlier this year, where a fisherman used his drone to deliver a flotation device to a person caught in a rip current. Drone technology is becoming mainstream in identifying and deploying flotation devices to persons caught in rip currents.
Rip currents are narrow, fast-moving channels of water that move away from the shoreline. Reaching speeds of as high as 2.5 metres per second, rip currents are almost impossible to swim against even for the strongest of swimmers. Trinidad and Tobago has an active Life Service Division with two main goals for (1) active protection on the nation’s beaches and (2) water safety training and education. Some beaches are manned during the day time, however, the IMA strongly advises the public to exercise caution at all times on the nation’s beaches. Additionally, Dr. Maxam is leaving us with the following tips:
Before you dip your toe in:
- Check for any local beach warnings. E.g Red Flags and Warning Posts
- Never swim near unsupervised or unpatrolled areas or absent lifeguards
- If caught in a rip current, do not fight to swim back to the shore, instead, swim parallel to shore until you can escape the pull of the strong current and get out
- Swim with a buddy and keep flotation devices handy
- It is good to know CPR.