Freezing Spray

Vessel sinkings due to ice accumulation onboard is the leading cause of marine fatalities in Alaskan waters. This initiative aims to establish a community-based monitoring program to enhance the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Freezing Spray Guidance by collecting and delivering relevant environmental and ice observation data. Utilizing the Skipper Science smartphone app and piloting time-lapse cameras, the program will gather information on freezing spray accretion. By leveraging the expertise of individuals in the commercial fisheries sector across remote regions, the project seeks to improve understanding of climate-driven changes, particularly freezing spray events. Additionally, it will serve as a model for collaborative science, demonstrating how industry, managers, and scientists can work together on environmental challenges in Alaska. The data collected will also help refine and improve algorithms predicting freezing spray.

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