Diving into Ocean Data with Current Lab

Ever thought about how useful it would be to have a weather forecast for the ocean? That's exactly what Kevin Rosa had in mind when he founded Current Lab. As a PhD student at the University of Rhode Island, Rosa was working on models to simulate ocean currents when he got an interesting request from a professional sailing team. They needed better data on ocean currents to improve their racing strategies. This got Rosa thinking about the broader applications of such data. Rosa's idea is to create a one-stop shop for ocean forecast data. Similar to how pilots need precise weather forecasts before flying, ships and ocean-going vessels could benefit from knowing the currents, waves, and temperatures they’ll encounter during their journeys. Current Lab aims to provide this critical information to various clients, from sailing teams to the Navy and even companies operating ocean drones. For sailors, Current Lab offers detailed current forecasts through a web app. This app lets users see what the currents will be like hour by hour, which can be crucial during a race. For companies, Current Lab provides an API that can be integrated into their operations. This allows them to use Current Lab’s data to route their ocean drones more efficiently.

The idea for Current Lab became particularly viable in 2021 when the US Olympic sailing team reached out with a problem predicting currents in Tokyo. This, along with interest from other potential customers, convinced Rosa to devote his time fully to Current Lab. Right now, Current Lab offers race packages for sailors, which include ocean data packages called GRIB files. These files help sailors visualize currents on their devices. Rosa is also working on pilot programs with companies that want to integrate Current Lab’s data into their operations, helping them find more efficient routes. While government agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) do provide ocean forecasts, Rosa sees Current Lab as an alternative. He aims to make ocean data more accessible and accurate, so that users don't need to be experts to use it. His goal is to make Current Lab the go-to place for high-quality oceanographic data.

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