The Partnership between the Maritime Industry, Marine Forecasting and Science

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 ParticipationBegan in the 1700’sShip by Ship or Captain by Captain

Benefits to ScienceProvides cost effective tool for long term sampling

Benefits to Maritime IndustryImproved Marine ForecastsImproved RoutingIncreased Safety at Sea

Wave Damage at Sea

Ships Reporting Weather 2004

Some of the things we doCollect Surface Meteorological observations

Usual 4 times/dayHigh Resolution 24 times/day

Launch Expendable Bathythermographs (XBT)

By hand or with Autolaunchers

Deploy Drifting BuoysJust throw them over the side

Deploy Argo FloatsCarefully Lowered by hand

Collect Sea Surface Salinity DataOcean Chemistry data (pCO2)

Automated Weather Systems - ClimateAutomated 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 doAtmospheric 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?

GloballyAlong 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 SectionPacific

2004– Oceanographic Observations

Global Drifter Array

When do we need the data?Real – Time

To initialize high seas forecasts

MonthlyLow Density XBT (4-6 observations/day)For improved forecasting & climate studies

QuarterlyHigh Density XBT (24 observations/day)For improved seasonal forecastingResearch for developing improved methodologies

• Forecast currents to improve routing

Why do we need this data?Improve marine weather forecastsMore accurate storm trackingEl Nino predictionsNorth Atlantic Oscillation researchIndian Ocean Monsoon OnsetSeasonal to Interannual Climate StudiesClimate ModelingDecadal Climate Forecasts Global Climate Change Research

No ENSO Event

ENSO Event

Voluntary Observing Ships

Manual observationsAutomated systemsReal – Time systemsDelayed Mode systemsSpecial 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 Informationhttp://www.jcommops.org

Argo,DBCP,SOT,GLOSS• ASAP,SOOP,VOS

http://seas.amverseas.noaa.gov/seas/NOAA High Density XBT

http://www-hrx.ucsd.edu/SIO High Density XBT

http://www.cmdl.noaa.govGlobal Air Sampling Network

www.sahfos.orgContinuous Plankton Recorder

Questions?

Steven K. Cook – Supervisory OceanographerChairman:Ship of Opportunity Implementation Panel

Steven.Cook@noaa.govVoice: 858-546-7103Fax: 858-546-7185

In a perfect world:Full Load and Calm Seas