The Partnership between the Maritime Industry, Marine Forecasting and Science
Presented by Steven K. Cook - Chairman WMO/IOC Ship of Opportunity Implementation Panel SOT II 2003, SOT III 2005 (updated)
Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Program Maritime Industry Participation Began in the 1700’s Ship by Ship or Captain by Captain Benefits to Science Provides cost effective tool for long term sampling Benefits to Maritime Industry Improved Marine Forecasts Improved Routing Increased Safety at Sea
Wave Damage at Sea
Ships Reporting Weather 2004
Some of the things we do Collect Surface Meteorological observations Usual 4 times/day High Resolution 24 times/day Launch Expendable Bathythermographs (XBT) By hand or with Autolaunchers Deploy Drifting Buoys Just throw them over the side Deploy Argo Floats Carefully Lowered by hand Collect Sea Surface Salinity Data Ocean Chemistry data (pCO2)
Automated Weather Systems - Climate
Hand Launching XBT Probe from Bridge Wing
Auto XBT Probe Launcher on fantail
Drifting Buoy Launch
Argo Float Launch
Thermosalinographs
Carbon Dioxide – pCO2
Some more things we do Atmospheric CO2 sampling Air sampling Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Towed Plankton Sampling devices Automated Shipboard Aerological Program (ASAP) Atmospheric Profiles using Radiosondes Voluntary Observing Ship Climatology (VOSClim) High quality surface met. observations including metadata
Atmospheric CO2 – Bridge Unit
CPR being lowered over the stern
ASAP Launch
Where do we need the data? Globally Along traditional ocean routes Major Shipping Lanes Data sparse regions Indian Ocean, Gulf of Guinea, S. America Bight Southern Ocean 30 to 70 Degrees South
Lines Occupied at least Monthly
Lines Occupied Quarterly
Vertical Temperature Section Pacific
2004– Oceanographic Observations
Global Drifter Array
When do we need the data? Real – Time To initialize high seas forecasts Monthly Low Density XBT (4-6 observations/day) For improved forecasting & climate studies Quarterly High Density XBT (24 observations/day) For improved seasonal forecasting Research for developing improved methodologies Forecast currents to improve routing
Why do we need this data? Improve marine weather forecasts More accurate storm tracking El Nino predictions North Atlantic Oscillation research Indian Ocean Monsoon Onset Seasonal to Interannual Climate Studies Climate Modeling Decadal Climate Forecasts Global Climate Change Research
No ENSO Event
ENSO Event
Voluntary Observing Ships Manual observations Automated systems Real – Time systems Delayed Mode systems Special observations
Impact on the vessel and ships personnel Operational and Storage space. Ships power. Willingness to power on/off equipment. Allow occasional ship riders. Provide date/time/position information. Willingness to contact support personnel if problem arises.
VOS – Delayed Mode Systems
VOS – Real Time Systems
Looking Forward Dedicated participation by industry. Integrated shipboard systems. Dedicated scientific “space”. Minimize use of ships personnel. Official recognition of companies/ships. “Green Ships?” How do we make this work?
Looking Ahead
Links to Detailed Information Argo,DBCP,SOT,GLOSS ASAP,SOOP,VOS NOAA High Density XBT SIO High Density XBT Global Air Sampling Network Continuous Plankton Recorder
Questions? Steven K. Cook – Supervisory Oceanographer Chairman: Ship of Opportunity Implementation Panel Voice: Fax:
In a perfect world: Full Load and Calm Seas