USA

Indian Ocean Plans Update
(Updated 2/20/96)

  1. On January 21, 1996 the Knorr reached Mombasa, having completed all planned U.S. WOCE Indian Ocean cruises. The only impediment was the refusal of Indonesia to grant clearance for work within their EEZ on lines I10 and I2. Otherwise, 1244 stations were occupied during the various segments.

  2. The U.S. JGOFS cruise schedule also has been completed.

  3. The Baldrige has completed the NOAA-funded legs I5W/I7N (Durban-Colombo), I1W (Muscat-Seychelles), and a partial occupation of I8N (between Diego Garcia and Fremantle and back to Colombo as OACES cruises).

  4. The occupation of S4 on the Palmer during fall 1996 (April-June) remains on track.

  5. The initial array of drifters has been launched, mainly from voluntary observing ships (VOS), by Olson and Niiler. It will consist of 90 drifters maintained for 3-5 years.

  6. More than 100 floats ALACE have now been deployed during WOCE and JGOFS hydrographic lines. About half of these are equipped to provide temperature profiles during the float's ascent through the water column. An additional 40 floats will be released in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean.

  7. NOAA is funding low density VOS deployments along lines IX6 (Mauritius - Indonesia), IX7 (S. Africa - Oman), IX15 (Mauritius - Fremantle), IX 21 (S. Africa - Mauritius), and IX35 Mauritius - Bombay). There are, however, problems in maintaining IX15.

High-density VOS deployments along IX15 and IX21 are being funded through the Scripps/Lamont consortium study. The first section was completed in fall 1994; quarterly sections should result.

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