In partnership with UNESCO.
The Foundation has partnered with UNESCO to contribute to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
THE GLOBAL OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM
Managed by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, this system improves forecasting and storm and flood warnings. GOOS observations steer international decisions and actions and shape government policy against global warming.
THE ARGO PROGRAMME
The ARGO programme is an integral part of GOOS and comprises a network of 3,000 independent beacons that measure the temperature and salinity of the oceans. This system is constantly evolving and needs support to deploy at least 800 ARGO floats each year to offset losses due to ice, running aground, age (4-5 years) and losing signal in remote areas.
The Foundation has fitted beacons to the MOD70 fleet in support of the ARGO programme and as the racecourse is plotted outside commercial shipping lanes, ARGO will be able to gather valuable new data for the scientists.
The ARGO float
ARGO floats can measure the temperature and salinity of water to a depth of up to 2000m; they have a lifespan of three to five years based on a dive cycle that is repeated every ten days. Once in the water, the float automatically activates, descends to a set depth, drifts for several days and then re-surfaces, all the while monitoring the salinity and temperature of the ocean. This data is automatically transmitted to satellites. The mission parameters, such as depth of drift, vertical sampling and time on the surface can be customised to the area.
