# NOAA Marine — Tides, Currents MCP

> NOAA Marine — Tides, Currents & Coastal Data pulls real-time oceanographic information from over 200 US coastal stations. Access current water levels (tides), predicted high and low tide times, observed currents, water temperature readings, air pressure, and long-term sea level rise trends in one place. This MCP provides the core data needed for maritime planning, climate modeling, and immediate coastal monitoring.

## Overview
- **Category:** the-unthinkable
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** tides, oceanography, marine-data, real-time-sensors, meteorology, sea-level

## Description

Need to know what's happening on the coast? This MCP connects your agent directly to NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services. You can get live water level readings from dozens of US ports, or forecast when the next high or low tide hits—perfect for planning a boating trip. Beyond just tides, you pull in observed ocean currents (speed and direction), current water temperature, and even local meteorological data like wind speed and air pressure. It’s also critical for research: track decades of relative sea level changes to understand long-term coastal risk. When this MCP is hosted on Vinkius, your agent can access all these complex layers of sensor data without you needing to jump between multiple government dashboards.

## Tools

### get_water_levels
Gets the currently observed tide height at a specific US coastal station ID.

### get_tide_predictions
Provides forecasts for upcoming high and low tide times and heights near a specified station.

### get_currents
Retrieves the observed speed and direction of ocean currents at stations with current meters.

### get_water_temperature
Gathers the measured water temperature from a designated US coastal station.

### get_meteorological
Pulls air temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure data for a complete coastal picture.

### get_sea_level_trends
Calculates the long-term relative sea level rise trends based on historical tide gauge measurements.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
What are the tide predictions for today at The Battery, NYC?
```

**Response:** 
```
🌊 **The Battery (8518750) — Tide Predictions**

| Time | Type | Height |
|------|------|--------|
| 5:42 AM | Low | 0.12 m |
| 11:58 AM | High | 1.52 m |
| 6:15 PM | Low | 0.08 m |
| 12:22 AM | High | 1.48 m |

Tidal range: 1.44 m. Semi-diurnal pattern.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
What is the current water temperature in San Francisco Bay?
```

**Response:** 
```
At the San Francisco station (9414290), the current water temperature is 57.2°F (14.0°C). Air temperature is 59°F, with winds blowing from the WNW at 15 knots.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Show me the sea level rise trend for Miami over the last 50 years.
```

**Response:** 
```
At the Virginia Key station in Miami (8723214), relative sea level has been rising at an average rate of 3.01 millimeters per year based on data from 1931 to present.
```

## Capabilities

### Get real-time water levels
Retrieves the current observed tide height (water level) for any specified US coastal station.

### Forecast high and low tides
Calculates predicted times and heights for upcoming high and low tides at a specific location, useful for scheduling marine activities.

### Track ocean current flow
Provides the observed speed and direction of ocean currents at stations equipped with current meters.

### Monitor water temperature
Retrieves the measured water temperature, vital for marine biology or recreational activities like surfing.

### Check local weather conditions
Gathers complementary meteorological data, including air temperature, wind speed, and barometric pressure from the station.

### Analyze sea level trends
Accesses long-term historical data to determine relative sea level rise rates for climate research.

## Use Cases

### Planning a commercial fishing trip
A boat captain needs to know the safest time to navigate through shallow waters. They prompt their agent: 'What are the tides and currents for San Francisco tomorrow?' The agent uses `get_tide_predictions` and `get_currents`, advising the captain that the slack tide window between low and high is optimal for safe passage.

### Assessing waterfront construction risk
A civil engineer needs to know if a pier can withstand storm surge. They ask their agent to compile `get_water_levels` data alongside `get_sea_level_trends`, immediately quantifying the difference between current sea level and historical maximums.

### Monitoring sensitive marine life
A researcher needs to track coral health. They request water temperature readings using `get_water_temperature` at multiple stations, allowing them to map areas that are experiencing thermal stress over time.

### Emergency response coordination
First responders need immediate data during a storm warning. They check `get_meteorological` data for wind direction and air pressure while simultaneously confirming the current water level using `get_water_levels` to determine safe access points.

## Benefits

- Predict your timing perfectly. Use `get_tide_predictions` to forecast high and low tides, ensuring you never miss a narrow window for docking or fishing.
- Analyze complex environmental data streams. Combining `get_water_levels`, `get_currents`, and `get_meteorological` gives you a complete picture of the coastal conditions at any moment.
- Understand long-term risk factors. The `get_sea_level_trends` tool allows researchers to model future impacts using decades of relative sea level data, not just today's weather report.
- Know what’s happening under the surface. Get accurate water temperatures and observed current speeds using `get_water_temperature` or `get_currents` for marine biology studies.
- Get a full context view. By running `get_meteorological` alongside water level data, you account for air temperature, wind, and pressure changes affecting operations.

## How It Works

The bottom line is that you tell your agent what coastal data you need, and it fetches the exact, real-time measurement from NOAA's source.

1. Tell your agent the specific US coastal location and station ID you need data for.
2. The MCP executes the necessary tool call, querying NOAA's massive database for the requested sensor readings (tides, currents, etc.).
3. Your agent receives a structured JSON payload containing the current or predicted measurements, which it then delivers in plain language.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I use the NOAA Marine — Tides, Currents & Coastal Data MCP for a specific location?**
You need to provide the CO-OPS station ID. For example, if you want tides at The Battery in NYC, you must include the ID 8518750 when calling `get_tide_predictions`.

**Does NOAA Marine — Tides, Currents & Coastal Data have global coverage?**
No. This MCP is limited to US coastal stations managed by NOAA CO-OPS. For international data, you must use a different service type.

**Can I track historical water levels with the NOAA Marine — Tides, Currents & Coastal Data MCP?**
Yes, for long-term climate research, you can get relative sea level rise trends using `get_sea_level_trends`, which analyzes decades of data.

**What is the difference between water levels and tide predictions in this MCP?**
Water levels (`get_water_levels`) give you what's happening right now. Tide predictions (`get_tide_predictions`) give you a forecast of when the next high or low tide will occur.

**Does NOAA Marine — Tides, Currents & Coastal Data include wind data?**
Yes. You can combine `get_meteorological` with water level tools to get air temperature, wind speed, and pressure alongside the water readings.