SOT Introduction and Goals of SOT-IV

1. World Meteorological Organization Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO Ship Observations Team~ integrating and coordinating international ship-based observing programmes for JCOMM ~ SOT Introduction and Goals of SOT-IV SOT-IV 16-21 April 2007, Geneva, Switzerland Graeme Ball Chairman, SOT

2. 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. SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

3. 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). SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

4. 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). SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

5. Real-Time SHIP Messages SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

6. 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. SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

7. XBT SOOP Sampling Lines High-Density (HDX) Frequently-Repeated (FRX) Both As determined by the UOT Review, 1999, Hobart, Australia. SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

8. Real-Time BATHY Messages SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

9. 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. SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

10. Real-Time TEMP SHIP Messages SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

11. 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. SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

12. 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. SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

13. Sessions of the SOT SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

14. SOT Management Team SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

15. 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 SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

16. Structure of JCOMM SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

17. 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. SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

18. 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. SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva

19. SOT Introduction and Session Goals, SOT-IV, Geneva