Poseidon rules the seas with new forecast technology

Poseidon once more reigns over the Greek seas, by means of a reliable system of forecasting weather that can used by seagoing vessels. The National Marine Research Center’s new Poseidon network will provide boat owners and fishermen with a full picture of the height of waves, direction of currents, water temperature, fog and rain that will affect them when they put out to sea. At least 72 hours in advance of any extreme weather conditions, Poseidon will have a full picture of what is about to happen. The network, which cost 14.11 million euros, enables the center’s scientists to observe the physics, biology and chemistry of the sea. The data are transmitted to an operations center at Anavyssos, which was opened on March 4. A detailed forecast for the following three days will be available on the Internet. Poseidon is the only program in Greece that monitors the state of the sea. It uses an extensive network of detectors to collect information about the presence of pollutants such as petrochemicals in the sea, and it can supply information about the movement of currents and water so that timely, effective action can be taken to deal with pollution. The network was designed in Belgrade for the Yugoslav Meteorological Service, and developed further by research centers in Washington. So far, it has not been incorporated into State services to any extent, because under existing legislation only the National Meteorological Service (EMY) is entitled to forecast the weather; but EMY often consults data from the Poseidon network. For the moment, Poseidon’s forecasts will be available on its website, www.Poseidon.ncmr.gr Church, government discuss issue