PicoCAT: A small instrumented catamaran for quantifying coastal changes

PicoCAT: a small instrumented catamaran for quantifying coastal changes The impact of storms on our coasts is often difficult to quantify. We often lack accurate observations of the beaches and adjacent nearshore areas before and after the storm. Traditionally beaches are measured from the land and nearshore areas from vessels with different measuring techniques and there is often a gap between land and sea observations. The equipped catamaran bridges this gap. A better quantification is essential to coastal managers and decision makers. Resolving the nearshore gap is crucial for sustainable development in the future, as coastal systems are under increasing pressure from growing coastal populations and the impacts of climate change, rising sea levels and unpredictable weather events.