Information for Beach Users !
The information on this page is intended for local residents and users of South Beach, Lowestoft. It summarises the Blinks project & contains information about the measurement techniques we are using, how to identify us and how often we plan to be on the beach.
Where is the study taking place?
The study concentrates on Lowestoft's South Beach (south of the CEFAS building, Pakefield Cliffs) and the adjacent tidal sandbank called Newcombe Sands.
How do UEA scientists make their measurements?
We make measurements of the shoreline and sandbank position by surveying with a Global satellite Positioning Systems (GPS). The GPS is mounted on a quad bike for beach surveys & on a small boat or jet ski for sandbank surveys. Beach surveys are conducted once a month. Double click on images below to zoom.
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We also measure the shoreline and sandbank position on a daily basis using time-averaged digital photographs taken from the roof of the CEFAS building. We use these photographs to automatically detect the shoreline & sandbank position. A snapshot image is placed on the web for beach users. Again, click on an image below to zoom in.
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Are the Blinks photographs available on the web?
Yes, hourly images are available on this web site by clicking on Lowestoft Images. Feel free to use these images to check out conditions at the beach. If there are any problems with the cameras please Contact Us and we will endeavour to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. All ten cameras are now operational (Aug 2005), however, only beach cameras and two sandbank cameras are provided as 'live images'. This makes for easier web page maintenance and the sandbank images are all rather similar. Five cameras are focused on Newcombe Sands whilst the remaining three cameras cover the beaches adjacent to and south of the CEFAS building (Pakefield cliffs). Individuals cannot be identified in these images.
