SOT Introduction and Goals of SOT-IV

World Meteorological Organization Intergovernmental OceanographicCommission of UNESCO

Ship Observations Team ~ integrating and coordinating international ship-based observing programmes for JCOMM ~

SOT-IV16-21 April 2007, Geneva, Switzerland

Graeme BallChairman, SOT

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Outline

• Composition of the SOT.• Overview of the observing programs.• Objectives of the SOT.• Working arrangements. • Management Team.• Relationship with JCOMM.• Goals of SOT-IV.

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Composition of the SOT

• The JCOMM Ship Observations Team (SOT) consists of three successful and long-standing global observing programs:» The Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Scheme;» The Ship-of-Opportunity Programme (SOOP); and» The Automated Shipboard Aerological Programme (ASAP).

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Voluntary Observing Ship Scheme

• VOS:» Surface weather reports from all oceans and coastal areas;» Real-time GTS data (SHIP) and delayed-mode data; » ~ 5,000 ships (December 2006); and» ~ 200 ships equipped with AWS (December 2006).

• VOSClim – the VOS Climate Project:» High quality reference subset of the VOS used for climate

research, modelling applications and benchmarking;» Global target = 200 ships; and» ~ 200 ships (April 2007).

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Real-Time SHIP Messages

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Ship-of-Opportunity Programme

• XBT SOOP:» Upper-ocean thermal profiles on repeat sampling lines;» Real-time GTS data (BATHY) and delayed-mode data;» Globally ~ 60 ships and ~ 24,000 profiles annually; and» Sampling mostly from merchant and research ships.

• Multi-disciplinary underway sampling:» Atmospheric and ocean carbon, fluorescence, pigments,

salinity and temperature;» Sampling mostly on research ships in conjunction with HDX

(High Density XBT);» Real-time GTS data (TESAC, TRACKOB); and» Other parameters mostly used and archived by the operator.

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XBT SOOP Sampling Lines

High-Density (HDX) Frequently-Repeated (FRX) Both

As determined by the UOT Review, 1999, Hobart, Australia.

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Real-Time BATHY Messages

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Automated Shipboard Aerological Programme

• Atmospheric profiles (temperature, humidity & wind) from radiosondes.

• Real-time GTS data (TEMP SHIP).

• EUMETNET (E-ASAP):» North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; and» Target of 16 ships and 4,640 TEMP messages in 2007

increasing to 4,860 TEMP messages in 2008.

• Elsewhere:» Ad-hoc, e.g. Japan, South Africa and some Navy vessels.

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Real-Time TEMP SHIP Messages

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Objectives of the SOT

• To manage, coordinate and wherever possible integrate the VOS Scheme, SOOP and ASAP to support a range of well defined operational and research applications.

• To liaise and coordinate with other groups involved in using volunteer ships as environmental observing platforms with a view to their participation in the SOT.

• To improve national coordination between institutions involved in similar or related programs.

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Working Arrangements

• Sessions of the SOT occur biannually and incorporate plenary sessions of:» The VOS Panel (VOSP, including VOSClim since SOT-III); » The SOOP Implementation Panel (SOOPIP); and » The ASAP Panel (ASAPP).

• Scientific guidance is provided by expert panels and bodies for climate and operational meteorology.

• Most work is undertaken by intersessional Task Teams.

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Sessions of the SOT

Session Date Location Plenary Sessions

1 Mar 2001 Goa, India. VOSP-II, SOOPIP-IV & ASAPP-XIII.

2 July 2003 London, UK. VOSP-III, SOOPIP-V & ASAPP-XIV.

(with PMO-II & VOSClim-IV).

3 Mar 2005 Brest, France. VOSP-IV, VOSClim-V, SOOPIP-VI & ASAPP-XV.

4 Apr 2007 Geneva, Switzerland VOSP-V, SOOPIP-VII & ASAPP-XVI.

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SOT Management Team

SOT Chair Graeme Ball Australia

VOSP Chair Julie Fletcher New Zealand

SOOPIP Chair Steve Cook United States

ASAPP Chair Sarah North United Kingdom

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Relationship with JCOMM*

• The SOT sits with the DBCP and the GLOSS-GE as the 3 Implementation Panels in the JCOMM OPA (Observations Programme Area).

• JCOMM is the reporting and coordinating mechanism for the operational marine activities of WMO and IOC.

• JCOMM was established in 1999 through a merger of WMO’s Commission for Marine Meteorology and the IOC’s Integrated Global Ocean Services System.

* Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology

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Structure of JCOMM

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Goals of SOT-IV

• Review the reports and recommendations from the Task Teams, ad-hoc groups and expert panels.

• Explore the possible integration into the SOT of other groups using ships as observing platforms.

• Identify issues requiring consideration and support from JCOMM.

• Review issues and form intersessional Task Teams as necessary to consider specific issues.

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Goals of SOT-IV (cont)

• Identify areas requiring support from JCOMMOPS.

• Gain a knowledge about new or updated systems, methods and technologies.

• Continue to harmonise global methods and practices:» observing systems, methods of observation, data processing,

data management, quality monitoring, inspection procedures.

• Foster communication within and between observing programmes.

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