1. Autonomous Ocean and Weather Monitoring Systems: Modular Sensors for Oceanographic Research on Platforms of Opportunity
I The International SeaKeepers Society
The non-profit International SeaKeepers Society seeks to actively contribute to the knowledge of the state of the world oceans by equipping ships and platforms around the world with sophisticated ocean and atmospheric monitoring systems. Systems are deployed on private superyachts, commercial ships, research vessels, buoys, piers and other platforms. Many of the currently operating ships are part of the NOAA VOS (Volunteer Observing Ship) program.
The SeaKeepers system and its member vessels provide a unique platform for oceanographic research which can provide low-cost access to: specific regions of the ocean, simultaneous measurements over a wide area, and repeated cruise tracks for time studies on weekly, monthly and yearly time schedules.
IV SeaKeepers Standard Modular Sensors
Weather Air temperature Wind speed Wind direction Relative Humidity Barometric pressure Compass heading
Oceanographic Temperature Conductivity calculated Salinity Sea Surface Temperature
Optional sensors Dissolved Oxygen pH Eh CDOM Fluorescence
Ferry routes for the central Mediterranean; example SNCM
SeaKeepers is working in cooperation with CIESM and INFREMER in operating VOS ships on the Mediterranean. As an example, a SeaKeepers installation is planned on ferry services operating between Europe and North Africa.
SeaKeepers module was installed on a MetalNave commercial ship (Brazil) to collect oceanographic / weather data along the Brazilian Coastal waters: Salvador to Porto Alegre.
SeaKeepers and Brazilian researchers are proposing a joint project to install complete packages for research on the Amazon River.
Salvador
Rio de Janeiro
Porto Alegre
Amazonas River
VII Participants
This project represents a unique collaboration between industry, ISKS and other NGOs, governments and academic institutions
VIII Examples of Current Projects
V Data Quality
Example of data quality and frequency for SeaKeepers vessels (red) as compared to the VOS fleet (green)
The SeaKeepers vessels represent only 1% of the total fleet but contribute a disproportionately large percentage of the good observations when evaluated by the National Weather Service NCEP model.
II Goals and Objectives
Develop a working model for a Global Ocean Observing System that is a true public/private partnership and is affordable and sustainable
Gather & distribute critically needed data on the health of the oceans and global climate change Develop & deploy efficient, low cost, and accurate ocean & atmospheric sensors Provide a fleet of “research” vessels covering the globe and traveling to remote areas. -- Provide a means for all world countries to begin monitoring coastlines for sustainability.
Create an organization of truly international significance to help build scientific, programmatic & business bridges across international boundaries.
Bring leading scientists (from around the world) together to work on joint projects to study and protect the oceans.
Improving public awareness of local and global environmental issues through outreach and education.
Florida Bay and southwestern Florida coastal cruise WS0010. Continuous on-line measurements of CDOM fluorescence were made with a SeaKeepers’ autonomous solid state detector and simultaneously with a Turner Designs fluorometer equipped with a square quartz flow cell, as a benchmark.
III SeaKeepers Data Modes
Real-Time display – accessible remotely via internet
Regularly transmitted -- 1, 3 or 12 hour intervals selectable
Transmitted intermittently on request or alert message
High resolution long-term record (1 minute intervals) stored on hard drive
Research Application Mode
Coastal Florida Cruise WS0121, November Continuous data from the SeaKeepers CDOM sensor System is automated without technician intervention
Automatic Data Transmission
VI New Sensor Development
Prototype and testing Turbidity Multi-fluorescence sensor package pCO2 and total CO2 Nutrient, Single channel Trace metals Reflectance Radiometer Micro-sensors for Chemical ADCP Bottom Topographic Mapping
A data collecting program logs to the hard drive once/minute and hosts customizable real-time data displays which can be displayed on remote computers within the LAN.
A communications program collects and packages 10-minute-average data records, and transmits them via satellite communications at pre-set times autonomously. Global data transmission is accurate, reliable and timely.
Data are processed in our laboratories and retransmitted in near-real time to the National Weather Service and made available to NOAA and other users.
We wish to acknowledge the generous financial and logistic support of 70 Founding Members of the International SeaKeepers Society, the United Nations (particularly the IOC and WMO), NOAA (particularly NDBC and AOML), ONR, NSF, and the collaborative efforts of the many companies and scientists involved in this program.
IX Acknowledgment
ISKS invites and encourages (and in some cases provides support for) individual scientists and companies to participate in developing sensors for the SeaKeepers module