Seatrack Web, forecasts of oil spills, a new version

Seatrack Web is a fully operational oil drift forecasting system and it covers the Baltic Sea and part of the North Sea. The system is available over the internet using a client-server web application, which enables users to start an oil drift simulation and have the results presented in their web browser on demand. The server hosting the oil drift simulation code has access to the most recent weather and ocean forecasts, thus giving the user the "best possible" decision tool in an oil combating situation. The drift model calculates the three-dimensional movements of substances or objects at sea, including sinking, stranding and turbulent dispersion. For oils the evaporation, emulsification and wave-induced vertical dispersion are also calculated. Floating objects can also be forecasted, in which case the direct influence of the wind may be included. Drift trajectories can also be run in backtracking mode, indicating the source of an object or spill. The results are displayed as particle trajectories on a map in a full-featured GIS interface. The trajectories may be animated, traced, zoomed and displayed in many ways. Oil properties, drift velocities, etc. are presented in tables. Other relevant information such as surface current vectors, sensitive areas, cities and so on can also be displayed. Seatrack Web is the HELCOM system for forecasting of oil drift, and the primary users are oil combating authorities in the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. It has been in operation since the early 90s, and a lot of experience in its use has been gathered among users and developers. Together with new and changed demands this has led to a major upgrade of the system resulting in Seatrack Web 2.0. Some of these improvements are that we have many new GIS layers, it is even more user friendly, the spreading is improved, higher resolution in the circulation model, scenarios of one's own choice, ice and its influence on the oil's drift is included, the result can be mailed directly, new oils, viscosity is included, flexible outlet area, and it goes further westwards in the North Sea. Automatic Identification System, AIS is introduced into the system in order to more easily find illegal polluters.