Underwater Relative Swell Kinetics Instrument (URSKI)

Wind-generated ocean waves deliver energy to coastal ecosystems and fundamentally structure the physical environment and associated biological communities. Wave energy can determine the structure and function of nearshore ecosystems by modifying the relative strengths of disturbance, recruitment and species interactions. While measuring wave exposure at the appropriate spatial scales is fundamental to understanding marine ecosystems, this remains a challenge because instruments are expensive, difficult to use, or don’t measure at appropriated temporal scales. These instruments, such as the Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (ADVs) and the Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) are expensive and logistically difficult to deploy, requiring a support of vessels with hydraulic hoists for deploying heavy instrument packages. These factors restrict the number of units that can be deployed concurrently, limiting the spatial coverage and resolution of measurements. Additionally, being a deterrent to research due to the acquisition cost of the instrument. As an alternate solution, UCSC has developed an inexpensive, accurate and precise instrument for measuring wave energy, known as the Underwater Relative Swell Kinetics Instrument (URSKI). University of California, Santa Cruz Industry Alliances & Technology Commercialization innovation@ucsc.edu 831.459.5415