Argo TC AST #12 March 2011 Buenos Aires, Argentina
In the context of Argo, DBCP global arrays maintenance, the Ship Observation Team Ships are the common denominator of all observing systems. We need to optimize use of existing opportunities (below 40S) But we need also to identify new opportunities (global/regional)
Impossible to deploy ~2000 units per year (Argo+DBCP) without a strong international cooperative effort... substancial ship time funding 3
We know how to monitor ship activities in delayed-mode in real-time There is still progress to be made (CTD data, metadata sharing, etc) How to anticipate ship activities? 2 months for the deployment of few units (in practice) 6-12 months for a batch deployment of 50 units While there are good national resources, there is no central node to gather cruise plans...
http://www.researchvessels.org/
http://www.pogo-oceancruises.org
Those 2 global repositories are great tools but they need some help regarding the content. ships@jcommops.org Share any new ship recruited (and going below 40S) Communicate regularly amongst PMOs and deployment managers Set up DBCP planning tools (JCOMMOPS task) Improve SOT ships monitoring (JCOMMOPS task) Including plans for SOOP Regular synch. with WMO Pub 47.
To countries new in the GOOS/JCOMM implementation: We have drifters, floats, experts, etc. We need your help to deploy our instruments you may have ships Check global array status (proactively) propose us solutions at regional level (cruise plans) We will send you instruments and trainers support@jcommops.org
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Gabon, Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, started via donor programmes. We need to follow up with an integrated approach (JCOMM) and a broader context (larger IOC/WMO capacity building efforts, WMO RMIC, etc) VOS/DBCP is starting to adopt the concept (donating drifters) 9
U.S./New Zealand collaboration has resulted in deployment of 750 floats (plus drifters) by RV Kaharoa (28 m length, 5 crew). A single ship can make the difference Recent positions of Kaharoa floats (red) RV Kaharoa RV Kaharoa float deployments or how a single ship can make the difference
On the long run what could do JCOMMOPS to help you? Top1 priority: help you to get 1000 floats at sea every year, and not only providing monitoring tools and running websites! Following up on an opportunity that fall on me in June (via IOC/UNESCO), I decided to explore this possibility and set up a (financial) mechanism
JCOMMOPS has started to charter a 20m sailing vessel the Lady Amber for the community (well, mainly Argo for now) Ship was first inspected by a SAWS PMO Ship has been sailing for a two weeks test cruise (modest... but promising opportunity) and deployed 4 floats for CSIRO Contacts were established with SA Argo, and local oceanographers
Lady Amber Price is 20 k /month (non profit base) or 500 / unit (if full of floats ) An overhead is taken for JCOMMOPS (to secure the activity on the medium run via a dedicated resource, and cover extras) Area of operations: ANY(except high piracy zones) including high latitudes. Full flexibility for deployment locations Promotional/media activities planned Capacity 60 floats! Autonomy 1 month Space for (1-4) crew on board
Lady Amber: operating for CSIRO Cruise #1 Ship has left Cape-Town last week for a 2.5 months cruise in the Indian Ocean to deploy 22 units for CSIRO UNESCO and IMO security department helped us to choose a safe route Ship will go check two RAMA moorings on his way We track it in RT via a GPS/Argos beacon Ship will load some more floats in Perth
Lady Amber: operating for CSIRO Cruise #2 Ship will load more floats (~40) in Perth before sailing to Bali and then in the West IO A total of 60 floats will be deployed for Australia I will go to see them in Perth (or Bali) Ship will not necessary need to go back to SA and his at YOUR service in Sept./Oct. Thank you Susan, Ann for your support!!!
Websites and new technologies are ideal tools to find cruises But they can t work without someone dedicated to the content. JCOMMOPS is documenting the terms of reference for a new technical coordinator position, that would be the international focal point on cruises ( in particular research vessels, charters, etc). Some funding sources have been identified (25$k via JCOMM) Part of the activity can be self-funded via overhead on the service A cooperation with GO-SHIP is in sight ( CTD metadata) but not necessary DBCP has encouraged us to continue develop the proposal (volunteers?) Would Argo agree to fund part of it? France? EuroArgo? Suggestions?
Ship monitoring is crucial for the global networks implementation Anticipation is the challenge Communication and cooperation will definitely help We will need to set up dedicated opportunities for specific areas Cheap, green, flexible, dedicated communication potential JCOMMOPS must improve its monitoring of ship based activities and work closer with PMOs (key focal points). We will also need a focal point, tracking existing ships, one by one, identifying new ships, and channelling the information as appropriate within the community.