Deployment Opportunities

M. Belbeochbelbeoch@jcommops.org

DBCP #27September 2011

Geneva, Switzerland

Background

In the context of Argo, DBCP, OceanSITES, SOT- on going effort for core networks maintenance- ad hoc needs- future perspectives

Ships are the common denominator of all observing systems

How can JCOMMOPS help ?No strong commitments or means

IssuesSolutionsProposal

Issue #1: Logistics

3

Impossible to deploy ~2000 units, service ~500 moorings per year without a strong international

cooperative effort... and also dedicated means

Issue #2: Gaps

4

Recurrent global and regional gaps

Issue #3: Information

• We know how to monitor ship activities– in delayed-mode

– in real-time

There is still progress to be made (R/V, SOT, GO-SHIP, misc. opportunities)

• How to anticipate ship activities ?• 2 months for the deployment of few units

• 6-12 months for a large batch deployment

While there are good national resources, there is no central node to gather cruise plans ...

Timeliness is crucial

Issue #4: Economics

• Global economical context under pressure impacts– Shipping industry

• Opportunities decrease or become irregular

• Partnerships more difficult to set up

– National programmes funding

• Need to cut on budgets

• Ship time is an element

This won’t improve soon ...

Issue #5: Flexibility

• Pilot projects need dedicated flexible opportunities

• Specific platforms need quick servicing or retrieval

• Some units will have to be retrieved on a larger scale– post calibration

– Tests, redeployment

– Expensive sensors (bio-optics)

– Environmental concerns growing

The future of the Obs. System will be more “interactive”

Issue #6: Cooperation

• Capacities in logistics in developing countries and countries not yet in the GOOS/JCOMM is under-used

A win-win system to be set up ..

Instruments, training VS

ship-time, EEZ access, communication

Solutions …

Communication

• ships@jcommops.org (May 2011)

– Set up for buoy/float/mooring operators

– Share any new ship recruited or used (and in particular going below

40S)

– Communicate regularly amongst PMOs and deployment managers

• This will take time...

.

Solutions …

Metadata and Information Services

• Better monitor existing network

– Set up DBCP planning tools

– Improve SOT ships monitoring

• Including plans for SOOP

• Regular synch. with WMO Pub 47.

• Synchronise with other metadata sources

• Develop integrated products , services, reports targeting

operations managers

Develop Cooperation

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

Þ Check global array status (proactively)

Þ propose us solutions at regional level (cruise plans)

Þ We will send you instruments and trainers

Þ Argo donor programmes, TT-CB, VOS DB startup, ...

2 firm cooperations and cruise plans with Argo:

Morocco & Colombia

DBCP invited to participate

RV Kaharoa float deployments … or how a single ship can make the difference

U.S./New Zealand collaboration has resulted in deployment of 1000 floats (plus drifters) by RV Kaharoa (28 m length, 5 crew).

RV Kaharoa

Dedicated opportunities

A single ship can make the difference

Dedicated opportunities

• JCOMMOPS has started to charter a 20m sailing vessel the “Lady Amber”

for the community

• Ship was first inspected by a SAWS PMO

• Ship has been sailing for a two weeks test cruise in December 2011 and

deployed 4 floats for CSIRO

• Contacts were established with SA Argo,

and local oceanographers

• Achieving its 3rd cruise in the Indian Ocean

Lady Amber

• Price is 20 k€/month (non profit base)

• 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

• Capacity 60 units!

• Autonomy 2 months

• Space for (1-4) crew on board

2012:60 floats deployed for CSIRO45k$ net benefit on the activity for JCOMMOPS

Ship ready for new cruises in December (Indian or Pacific N/S)

Misc. opportunities

• Individuals, sailing races, explorers, tourist cruises, NGOs

• Large range of possibilities that could be exploited (free, non profit,

win/win, private ...)

Þ huge outreach potential

Þ Using green logistics wont hurt

E.g: Voiles Sans Frontières (France – Senegal).

- Logistics (sailing ships recruited every year)

- Educational (adopt a drifter ...)

Synthesis & Proposal:Ship Logistics Coordinator

• See detailed proposal in agenda item 11.2 , Annex C

• JCOMMOPS is documenting the terms of reference for a new technical coordinator position, that would be the international focal point on cruises ( in particular on merchant ships, research vessels, charters, etc) and that will address operations, communication, metadata, cooperation issues with a JCOMM perspective.

• Diverse funding sources have been identified• Part of the activity is self-funded via JCOMMOPS services

• Positive discussions with GDP, key resource for TT-CB

• DBCP is encourage to help us to close the budget so we can run a pilot experiment for a couple of years (CLS or UNESCO)

Conclusion

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 or ad hoc needs

• 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, developing cooperation, etc.