Ocean Science www.ocean-sci.net 1812-0784 1812-0792 3 2 2007 10.5194/os-3-173-2007 http://www.ocean-sci.net/3/173/2007/ http://www.ocean-sci.net/3/173/2007/os-3-173-2007.html http://www.ocean-sci.net/3/173/2007/os-3-173-2007.pdf 173 178 2007-04-03 Development of an automatic multiple launcher for expendable probes G. Zappalà giuseppe.zappala@iamc.cnr.it F. Reseghetti G. M. R. Manzella CNR-IAMC, Section of Messina, Messina, Italy ENEA-CRAM, S. Teresa di Lerici (SP), Italy A main goal of a Ship Of Opportunity Programme (SOOP) is the provision of temperature profiles in near real time. The use of commercial ships and expandable probes allows the reduction of costs, in comparison with research ship cruises. A major cost effectiveness is achieved using an automated multiple launcher, requiring minimum personnel effort. A multiple launcher, developed in the framework of the Mediterranean Forecasting System – Toward Environmental Prediction Project (MFSTEP), allows for a sequential collection of eight temperature profiles, using a software-programmable sampling strategy. The data acquisition system can be remotely controlled in every functionality, and data can be transmitted by GSM-GPRS or satellite telephone systems. AODC: Guide to MK12 – XBT System (Including Launching, returns and faults), Australian Oceanographic Data Centre (AODC), METOC Services, 1–63, 1999. AODC: Expendable Bathythermographs (XBT) delayed mode, Quality control manual, Australian Oceanographic Data Centre (AODC), Data Management Group, Technical Manual 1/2001, 1–24, 2001. Cook, S. and Sy, A.: Best guide and principles manual for the Ships Of Opportunity Program (SOOP) and EXpendable Bathythermograph (XBT) operations, Prepared for the IOC-WMO-3rd Session of the JCOMM Ship of Opportunity Implementation Panel (SOOPIP-III), March 28–31, 2000, La Jolla, California, USA, 1–26, 2001. Fusco, G., Manzella, G. M. R., Cruzado, A., Gacic, M., Gasparini, G. P., Kovacevic, V., Millot, C., Tziavos, C., Velasquez, Z., Walne, A., Zervakis, V., and Zodiatis, G.: Variability of mesoscale features in the Mediterranean Sea from XBT data analysis, Ann. Geophys., 21, 21–32, 2003. Georgi, D. T., Dean, J. P., and Chase, J. A.: Temperature calibration of expendable bathy-thermographs, Ocean Engineering, 7, 491–499, 1980. Hecht, A. and Gertman, I.: Physical features of the eastern Mediterranean resulting from the integration of POEM data with Russian Mediterranean cruises, Deep-Sea Research I, 48, 1847–1876, 2001. Manzella, G. M. R., Scoccimarro, E., Pinardi, N., and Tonani, M.: Improved near real time data management procedures for the Mediterranean ocean Forecasting System – Voluntary Observing Ship program, Ann. Geophys., 21, 21–32, 2003. Manzella, G. M. R., Reseghetti, F., Coppini, G., et al.: The improvements of the Ships Of Opportunity Program in MFSTEP, Ocean Sci. Discuss., 3, 1717–1746, 2006. MedAtlas Group: Specification for Mediterranean banking and regional quality controls, IFREMER, Direction Scientific, Sismer-Brest, SISMER/IS/94-014, pp 29, 1994. Millot, C. and Taupier-Letage, I.: Additional evidence of LIW entrainment across the Algerian Basin by mesoscale eddies and not by permanent westward-flowing vein, Progress in Oceanography, 66(2–4), 231–250, 2005. Özsoy, E., Hecht, A., Ünlüata, Ü., Brenner, S., O\uguz, T., Bishop, J., Latif, M. A., and Rosentroub, Z.: A review of the Levantine Basin circulation and its variability during 1985–88, Dyn. Atmos. Oceans, 15, 421–456, 1991. Özsoy, E., Hecht, A., Ünlüata, Ü., Brenner, S., Sur, H. \.I, Bishop, J., Latif, M. A., Rozentraub, Z. and O\uguz, T.: A synthesis of the Levantine Basin circulation and hydrography, 1985–1990, Deep-Sea Res., 40, 1075–1119, 1993. Pinardi, N., Allen, I., Demirov, E., DeMey, P., Korres, G., Lascaratos, A., LeTraon, P. Y. Maillard, C., Manzella, G., and Tziavos, C.: The Mediterranean ocean Forecasting System: first phase of implementation (1998–2001), Ann. Geophys., 21, 3–20, 2003. POEM Group: General Circulation of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Earth Science Review, 32, 285–309, 1992. Smith, N. R., Harrison, D. E., Bailey, R., Delcroix, T., Hanawa, K., Keely, B., Meyers, G., Molinari, B., and Roemmich, D.: The role of XBT sampling in the ocean thermal network, OCEANOBS St Raphael 18–22 October, 1999. Steinhart, J. S. and Hart, S. R.: Calibration curves for thermistors, Deep-Sea Res., 15, 497–503, 1968. U.S. Department of Transport: New Generation Polar Research Vessel – Newsletter, Issue 2, http://www.usap.gov/vesselScienceAndOperations/documents/prvnews_sept03.pdf, September, 2003. Zodiatis, G., Drakopoulos, P., Brenner, S., and Groom, S.: Variability of the Cyprus warm core Eddy during the CYCLOPS project, Deep Sea Res., II 52, 2897–2910, 2005.