Restoration of HF Radar Station at Nauset Expands Ocean Monitoring off Cape Cod
An integral part of the Mid-Atlantic’s ocean observing network has been revitalized with the restoration of the High Frequency (HF) radar station at Nauset, Cape Cod. The station, the northernmost site in the MARACOOS Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar (CODAR) network, is once again delivering real-time ocean surface current data critical for navigation, safety, and ecosystem monitoring in one of the busiest maritime regions on the U.S. East Coast.
Originally installed in 2004, the Nauset site had been operating on aging hardware, much of it original, with temporary loaner components keeping it alive in recent years. The recent installation of new antennas, part of a recapitalization effort supported by federal funding, marks the first major step in modernizing the site.
“This upgrade transforms what was essentially a Frankenstein system of aging and borrowed equipment into a reliable, revitalized station. It gives us back a critical piece of coverage for Cape Cod.”
How the Nauset and Nantucket HF Radar Stations Monitor Ocean Currents
The Nauset radar station pairs with its sister site on Nantucket to measure surface currents off the eastern shores of Cape Cod and Nantucket. Each site measures “radials,” or one-dimensional surface current measurements that extend outward from the antenna. Where those radials overlap, data from both stations combine to generate two-dimensional velocity vectors of ocean currents.
“The system only works when both sites are running,” explained Sundermeyer. “Together, Nauset and Nantucket capture a full picture of how water moves in this high-traffic and ecologically vital region.”
Why Surface Current Data off Cape Cod Matters for Safety and Research
The waters east of Cape Cod are a crossroads of maritime commerce, commercial and recreational fishing, and Coast Guard activity. George’s Bank lies just offshore, and there is a major shipping lane that passes through this region. For the Coast Guard, current data can be the difference between a swift, successful search and a prolonged, costly operation.
For example, improved current estimates could have strengthened response efforts during the 2024 Vineyard Wind turbine blade failure, when debris spread across the waters near Nantucket.
Beyond safety and shipping, the restored radar station supports ecosystem monitoring, fisheries management, and ocean modeling. Its location at the entrance to the Gulf of Maine also makes it an important link between Mid-Atlantic waters and the Gulf’s productive fishing grounds.
New Technology Upgrades Strengthen Nauset HF Radar Station
Along with the new transmit and receive antennas, the site now also features an upgraded operating computer as well as new enclosure systems with improved cooling and cabinet hardware for easier maintenance. Future plans include upgrading the electronics chassis to complete the modernization.
Data from the new antennas is already live and feeding into MARACOOS’s hourly surface current maps, which are integrated with other coastal radars across the region. These observations are delivered directly to the U.S. Coast Guard’s environmental data server, informing real-time decision-making, search and rescue operations, and forecast models like Doppio.
Installing one of the two HF radar antennas at the Nauset (NAUS) site at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, MA.
Installing one of the two HF radar antennas at the Nauset (NAUS) site at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, MA.
Patrick Pasteris works to install one of the two HF radar antennas at the Nauset (NAUS) site in Eastham, MA.
Patrick Pasteris works to install one of the two HF radar antennas at the Nauset (NAUS) site in Eastham, MA.
Patrick Pasteris and Tyler Knapp work to install one of the HF radar antennas at the Nauset (NAUS) site in Eastham, MA.
Patrick Pasteris and Tyler Knapp work to install one of the HF radar antennas at the Nauset (NAUS) site in Eastham, MA.
HF Radar Coverage Pre-NAUS Restoration
One of two HF radar antennas installed at the Nauset site.
One of two HF radar antennas installed at the Nauset site.
Restoring Nauset CODAR Station Expands Regional Ocean Observing Network
As the northernmost station in the MARACOOS network, Nauset fills a crucial data gap between the Mid-Atlantic and the Gulf of Maine. Its measurements complement those from stations at Nantucket, Provincetown, Gloucester, and Salisbury Beach, connecting the radars in the MARACOOS and NERACOOS regions, helping knit together a continuous picture of coastal circulation along the Northeast seaboard.
“Restoring Nauset doesn’t just benefit Cape Cod,” said Sundermeyer. “It strengthens the entire observing system and ensures that decision-makers—whether they’re at the Coast Guard, in fisheries, or in science—have the most accurate picture possible of how our coastal ocean is behaving.”
HF Radar Coverage Post-NAUS Restoration
Integrated Ocean Observing System
As one of eleven certified U.S. IOOS regional associations, MARACOOS is dedicated to delivering high-quality ocean and coastal data to stakeholders, partners, and the public. OceansMap provides free and open access to critical data products that support decision-making in the Mid-Atlantic region, spanning from Cape Cod, MA, to Cape Hatteras, NC.
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