NOAA Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems (PORTS^®) are near-shore ocean observing systems developed by the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) to promote safe and efficient navigation. Tailored to the specific needs of local communities, PORTS^® measures, integrates, and disseminates observations of water levels, currents, salinity, wind, and bridge clearance, all of which help mariners successfully guide ships into and out of the nations busiest ports. The information made available by PORTS^® results in economic benefits essential for the movement of goods, services, and people throughout the 25,000 miles of waterways, ports, and other navigable waters, as well as over 3,700 marine terminals that make up the US marine transportation system.

The Port of Mobile is the only deep-water port in the State of Alabama and is the 11th largest in the United States. The Alabama State Port Authority partnered with NOAA to install PORTS^® to assist navigation in the Port and throughout Mobile Bay. In 2006 the Port of Mobile handled 24.3 million tons of cargo, accounting for $89.5 million in revenue. With PORTS^® the Port of Mobile is better positioned to safely and efficiently transport commodities including automotive, chemicals, electronics, agriculture products, and coal which support over 110,000 jobs annually.

NOAA completed the installation of the Mobile PORTS^® in the fall of 2007 and the system was declared operational on December 3, 2007. The Mobile, Alabama PORTS^® includes three water level measurement systems, three current profilers, and three meteorological measurement systems. PORTS^® observations are collected from each sensor at 6-minute intervals and are available via the internet (http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/mbports/mbports.shtml?port=mb) and toll-free phone calls (877-84-PORTS or 877-847-6787). NOAA provides 24/7 quality monitoring of all PORTS^® data to ensure that accurate information is readily available.

PORTS^® has proven to deliver benefits that include:

• Safer shipping and boating from fewer groundings and collisions, more accurate marine weather forecasts, and improved response to distress calls;
• More efficient port operations from optimized cargo loading and increased throughput with fewer delays;
• Improved environmental planning and protection from more effective response to hazardous material spills and the availability of real-time information for coastal managers; and
• Enhanced recreational use by boaters and fisherman (winds, weather forecasts and other information.)