ROFFS-schaudt.us Oceanographic Analysis
Pascagoula to Qatar Tow

We are able to observe the ocean conditions offshore of Cape Town and east towards the Agulhas Current clearly today using high resolution infrared imagery from the past 24 hours. Although the current tow continues towards Cape Town from it’s current location in the South Atlantic Ocean near 3°14’W & 26°26’S, we decided to look ahead of the tow for planning purposes. We have shown what we believe is the most direct tow route based on the current ocean conditions in light blue, favorable conditions in green, and unfavorable conditions along the tow routes in red, and current direction of flow in blue.

Although this analysis is based on current ocean conditions, and these conditions may change over the next week, we believe that once the tow continues out of Cape Town it should travel about 60-70 miles in a southeast direction to near 19°30’E & 35°45’S before turning eastward to avoid shallow water and inclement weather, as well as, to pick up an area of favorable currents located between 19°00’E & 35°45’S to near 21°30’E & 35°40’S. As the tow continues eastward, we believe the convoy should cross the Agulhas Current from near 23°10’E & 35°00’S to near 29°00’E & 34°00’S. This may be the shortest distance across the 2.0-3.0 knot southwestward current. On the offshore edge of the Agulhas Current, we are able to observe another larger area of favorable northeastward flowing currents that should provide assistance in the northward movement of the tow through the Mozambique Channel. The tow should continue northeastward to near 31°00’E & 33°00’S northweastward to near 34°00’E & 30°00’S.