About This Project
Ocean forecasts are scientific predictions about the future state of the ocean,
providing vital information of ocean current, temperature, surface wave and wind for a given region.
The ocean forecasting system (OFS) is important as an early warning system that will allow a better preparation
for the severe events in the ocean.
Nowadays, the society is largely dependent on the commercial OFS to predict the condition of the ocean.
Nevertheless, the accuracy of this OFS is often doubtful
in the provision of reliable information, especially in the local scale. One of the key factors is that the
resolution of the model is too scarce.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for a higher resolution OFS to provide a better prediction of the ocean as such
to empower us for early preparation for
maritime incidents that often lead to hazards and disasters.
From this point of view, we have developed a high-resolution ocean forecasting system for Malaysian waters,
known as Malaysia Marine Forecast System (MFAST) with an aim to provide reliable ocean forecast data.
The MFAST is developed under the collaboration between Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and First Institute of
Oceanography (FIO), China,
which is a supplementary product of the Ocean Forecasting Demonstration System (OFDS) for Southeast Asian Water;
one of the Southeast Asian Global Ocean Observing System (SEAGOOS) pilot projects under the auspices of the IOC
Sub-Commissions
for the Western Pacific (IOC/WESTPAC).
MFAST is the first OFS in Malaysia to have a high-resolution ocean forecast data which is developed based on
wave-tide-circulation
coupled model established by the Laboratory of Marine Sciences and Numerical Modelling (MASNUM), FIO.
MFAST delivers up to 5 days forecast data of ocean current, temperature, surface wave and wind between 3 °S – 15
°N and 96 – 123 °E at 3 hours interval.
MFAST offers comprehensive, continuous, and reliable forecast data for marine-related activities, facilitating
optimum operations in the marine environment,
such as marine surveillance, navigation, search and rescue operations, recreation, and scientific exploration in
our region.
Objective
To provide comprehensive, continuous, and reliable ocean forecast data for marine-related activities in Malaysia waters as such to facilitate optimum operations in the marine environment.
Project Leader
Prof. Dr. Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu,
21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
Tel/Fax: +60 96683101/92166
Email: mfadzil@umt.edu.my
Research Team
Dr. Poh Heng, Kok
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Dr. Jing Xiang Chung
Faculty of Science and Marine Environment & Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
Dr. Nur Hidayah Roseli
Faculty of Science and Marine Environment & Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.