Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer stands as a pioneering figure in physical oceanography whose innovative approaches to studying marine systems have transformed our understanding of ocean circulation patterns. Born on April 24, 1943, he established his academic foundation with doctoral studies at the University of Washington, where he earned his PhD in oceanography. Early in his career, he contributed to practical applications of ocean science through work on offshore oil platform design in the North Sea and sewage dispersion studies in Puget Sound. His professional journey evolved from traditional oceanographic research to the unconventional yet profoundly insightful study of flotsam as natural tracers of ocean currents. This transition marked the beginning of his distinctive contribution to the field, blending scientific rigor with creative observational methods.
Dr. Ebbesmeyer's groundbreaking methodology emerged from the accidental 1990 spill of 61,280 Nike sneakers from the Hansa Carrier freighter, which provided an unprecedented natural experiment to track Pacific Ocean currents. He developed the Ocean Surface Currents Simulation (OSCURS) system in collaboration with Jim Ingraham, creating a sophisticated computer model that accurately predicts the movement of floating objects across the world's oceans. His work extended beyond shoes to include hockey gloves, rubber ducks, and various other marine debris, each category revealing unique insights about wind influence, buoyancy effects, and current pathways. His research demonstrated that even seemingly random beach detritus follows predictable patterns that can be modeled with increasing precision, revealing the intricate dynamics of ocean circulation on a global scale. This innovative approach has provided valuable data for understanding not just commercial shipping losses but also environmental issues such as plastic pollution accumulation in ocean gyres.
Recognizing the value of distributed observation networks, Dr. Ebbesmeyer founded the Beachcombers' and Oceanographers' International Association in 1996, creating a formal collaboration between professional scientists and citizen observers along coastlines worldwide. He established and publishes the informative Beachcombers' Alert magazine, which serves as a vital communication channel for sharing findings and observations across this global network. His collaborative work with marine scientist Charles Moore significantly advanced understanding of plastic pollution, particularly the alarming six-to-one ratio of plastic to zooplankton in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. In his retirement, Dr. Ebbesmeyer continues his influential work through Evans-Hamilton, Inc., applying his expertise in current tracking to new challenges including environmental monitoring and pollution control. His legacy endures through both the practical applications of his methodologies and his demonstration of how unexpected phenomena can yield profound scientific insights when approached with curiosity and methodological creativity.
