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SWIFT

Surface Wave Instrument Float with Tracking

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Measuring Waves, Winds, Turbulence, and Ambient Noise at the Ocean Surface

The Surface Wave Instrument Float with Tracking (SWIFT) is a free drifting system to measure waves, winds, turbulence, and ambient noise at the ocean surface. A key feature is the ability to move with the wave motion, thereby maintaining a near-surface range and filtering the wave orbital velocities. SWIFT is being used in studies of breaking wave energy dissipation, wave–ice dynamics in the Arctic, and characterization at marine energy sites.

Development and testing of microSWIFT expendable wave buoys

22 Nov 2023

Wave breaking dissipation observed by SWIFT drifters

1 Dec 2012

A new version of the SWIFT platform for waves, currents, and turbulence in the ocean surface layer (PDF, 717 KB)

Thomson, J., M. Moulton, A. de Klerk, J. Talbert, M. Guerra, S. Kastner, M. Smith, M. Schwendeman, S. Zippel, and S. Nylund, Proc., IEEE/OES 12th Currents, Waves, Turbulence Measurement and Applications Workshop, 10-13 March, San Diego, CA (IEEE, 2019).

SWIFT Version 3 Description (PDF, 122 KB)

Complete technical specifications

SWIFT Version 4 Description (PDF, 2 MB)

Complete technical specifications

Projects Using SWIFT

Coastal Ocean Dynamics in the Arctic — CODA

Arctic coastlines are eroding at rates of meters per year. As the whole Arctic shifts into a modern epoch of seasonal ice cover and warmer temperatures, Arctic coastal processes are shifting, too. The overall goal of this research is to improve scientific understanding of wave–ice–ocean interactions along the Arctic coast, with particular attention to the oceanographic parameters that affect erosion.

8 Jan 2019

Stratified Ocean Dynamics of the Arctic — SODA

Vertical and lateral water properties and density structure with the Arctic Ocean are intimately related to the ocean circulation, and have profound consequences for sea ice growth and retreat as well as for prpagation of acoustic energy at all scales. Our current understanding of the dynamics governing arctic upper ocean stratification and circulation derives largely from a period when extensive ice cover modulated the oceanic response to atmospheric forcing. Recently, however, there has been significant arctic warming, accompanied by changes in the extent, thickness distribution, and properties of the arctic sea ice cover. The need to understand these changes and their impact on arctic stratification and circulation, sea ice evolution, and the acoustic environment motivate this initiative.

31 Oct 2016

Inner Shelf Dynamics

The inner shelf region begins just offshore of the surf zone, where breaking by surface gravity waves dominate, and extends inshore of the mid-shelf, where theoretical Ekman transport is fully realized. Our main goal is to provide provide improved understanding and prediction of this difficult environment. This will involve efforts to assess the influence of the different boundaries — surf zone, mid and outer shelf, air-water interface, and bed — on the flow, mixing and stratification of the inner shelf. We will also gain information and predictive understanding of remotely sensed surface processes and their connection to processes in the underlying water column.

15 Dec 2015

Measuring Vessel Wakes in Rich Passage, Puget Sound

APL-UW is using wave buoys to measure the wakes of Washington State DOT car ferries as they transit through Rich Passage. The objective is to assess the effectiveness of the speed reduction protocol through the passage, which is intended to minimize the vessel wake and minimize any subsequent changes to the shoreline.

22 Oct 2014

Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) Program

An integrated program of observations and numerical simulations will focus on understanding ice–ocean–atmosphere dynamics in and around the MIZ, with particular emphasis on quantifying changes associated with decreasing ice cover. The MIZ measurement program will employ a novel mix of autonomous technologies (ice-based instrumentation, floats, drifters, and gliders) to characterize the processes that govern Beaufort Sea MIZ evolution from initial breakup and MIZ formation though the course of the summertime sea ice retreat.

22 Mar 2013

Sea State and Boundary Layer Physics of the Emerging Arctic Ocean

This ONR Departmental Research Initiative is in response to the observed decline in Arctic sea ice extent. The U.S. Navy has a renewed interest in understanding and predicting the environment in this region, including a desire to forecast the presence or absence of sea ice at a variety of lead times.

7 Mar 2013

Storm Chasing in the North Pacific

A research cruise was conducted in October 2012 to find stormy conditions and heavy seas far out in the Pacific Ocean. The objectives were to measure, with remote sensing technologies, the intense winds, large waves, and the turbulence generated by wave breaking. Understanding the balance of energy going into and breaking out of waves will be used to improve open ocean wave forecasts.

2 Nov 2012

Wave Breaking in Mixed Seas

Waves are generated by wind blowing across the ocean and dissipated by breaking, either as whitecaps or surf. This research aims to understand the breaking process and the resulting turbulence, especially in wave fields that are a mix of wind waves and swell. Measurements from APL-UW SWIFT instruments quantify the turbulence and the wave motions. Additional video measurements quantify the size distribution of the breakers. Applications include improved wave forecasting and parameterization of gas exchange.

12 Apr 2011

Wave Dissipation and the Distribution of Breaking Crests

The energy dissipation of breaking waves is quantified using simultaneous remote and in situ measurements.

microSWIFTs in the Field (YouTube)

These tiny oceanographic floats measure extreme coastal conditions.

microSWIFT Specs

Specifications Sheet (PDF, 6 MB)

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