JCOMM Ship Observations Team (SOT) Task Teams

JCOMM Ship Observations Team (SOT) Task Teams

This is the list of SOT Task Teams, their Terms of Reference, and Membership, as approved by the fifth session of the SOT, Geneva, Switzerland,18-22 May 2009

Task Team on Metadata for WMO-No. 47 (Pub. 47)

The Task Team shall:

1. Regularly review the WMO Publication No. 47 (Pub47) metadata requirements and make recommendations as appropriate.

2. Monitor the receipt of regular Pub47 updates at WMO from participating VOS members.

3. Review all relevant JCOMM Publications to ensure they are up to date and comply with Quality Management terminology.

Members: see here

Task Team on Satellite Communication Systems

The Task Team shall:

1. Evaluate the operational and cost-effective use of satellite data telecommunication systems for the real-time collection of VOS and SOOP data in support of the World Weather Watch, GOOS, and GCOS;

2. Work closely with the DBCP Iridium Pilot Project;

3. Continue to evaluate the operational use of Iridium Satellite data telecommunication technology for the real-time collection of VOS and SOOP data in support of the WWW, GOOS, GCOS, and Natural Disaster Prevention and Mitigation applications;

4. Continue to monitor the cost implications of Inmarsat satellite communications sent by Code 41;

5. Review all relevant JCOMM Publications to make sure they are kept up to date and comply with Quality Management terminology;

6. Report to the next SOT Session on any relevant issues/proposals.

Members: see here, plus the following:

Any representatives of countries where LES accepting Code 41 are located
A representative of RA III.

Task Team on VOS Recruitment and Programme Promotion

The Task Team shall:

1. Complete the generic pre-installation design standards that will eventually be available to ship builders and classification societies.

2. Review existing promotional aids (flyer, certificate) and recommend new promotional aids.

3. Promote the use of, and keep under review, the promotional ‘SOT Recruitment Presentation’.

4. Establish a store of newsworthy articles for use in a SOT or VOSClim Newsletter or in national newsletters.

5. Review the questionnaire used for the 2009 Marine Meteorological Services Monitoring Programme, and propose any amendments.

6. Review all relevant JCOMM Publications to ensure they are up to date and comply with Quality Management terminology.

Members: see here

Task Team on Instrument Standards

The Task Team shall:

1. Compile information on existing activities, procedures and practices within JCOMM relating to instrument testing, standardization and intercalibration, as well as the standardization of observation practices and procedures,

2. Using guidance contained in existing guides including the WMO Guides on Instruments and Methods of Observation (WMO-No.8) communicate with manufactures regarding new technologies and recognized equipment problems.

3. Prepare a JCOMM Technical Report containing this information, to be made widely available through relevant web sites (JCOMM, JCOMMOPS, VOS, DBCP, SOOP, SOT),

4. Provide guidance on testing and the intercalibration of marine meteorological and oceanographic observing systems.

5. Liaise closely with WMO/CIMO, both in the compilation of the information and in assessing what additional work in this area might be required under JCOMM.

6. Liaise closely with IOC in the preparation of the wider compilation of existing instrumentation and observing practices standards in oceanographic observations in general, with a view to inputting an appropriate contribution from JCOMM.

7. Perform intercomparisons as required by SOT Sessions;

8. Review all relevant JCOMM Publications to make sure they are kept up to date and comply with Quality Management terminology;

9. Work with the WMO Commission on Instruments and Methods of Observations for updating the WMO Guide No. 8 section dealing with ship-based observations.

Members: see here (note: HMEI is associated Member)

Task Team on the VOS Climate Project

The Task Team shall:

1. Coordinate the provision of VOS Climate data and promote its availability to data users;

2. Encourage VOS operators, wherever possible, to upgrade existing VOS to VOS Climate Standards;

3. Revise VOS Climate ship information and documentation to reflect the integration of the VOS Climate Project into the wider VOS Scheme e.g. update the VOSClim document and promotional brochure, logo, website, and electronic logbook software;

4. Review all relevant WMO Technical Regulation, and JCOMM Publications, and make recommendations to JCOMM and CBS as appropriate to ensure that they are kept up to date and reflect the SOT proposal to include VOSClim as a new class of VOS reporting ship as part of the VOS Scheme;

5. In liaison with the scientific advisers, monitor and report on the quality and added value of the observations, model parameters and metadata in the VOSClim datasets.

Members: see here, including in particular:

Representatives of participating countries (VOSClim focal points)
Representative of the VOSClim Real Time Monitoring Centre
Representative of DAC
Representatives of the GCCs
Scientific advisers

Task Team on Callsign Masking and Encoding

The Task Team shall:

1. Oversee the implementation of MASK, SHIP and ENCODE and develop guidelines as necessary;

2. Review and approve national MASK schemes to ensure they remain unique and do not impinge on (1) the ITU callsign series allocated to a country, or (2) any other marine or oceanographic identification scheme used by WMO, e.g. buoy identification numbers;

3. Ensure the MASK v REAL database is kept up-to-date by NMSs implementing MASK;

4. Develop the ENCODE encryption strategy, as well as develop the encoding and decoding keys.

Members: see here

Task Team on the ASAP

The Task Team shall:

1. Coordinate the overall implementation of the ASAP, including recommending routes and monitoring the overall performance of the programme, both operationally and in respect of the quality of the ASAP system data processing;

2. As may be required by some members, arrange for and use funds and contributions in kind needed for the procurement, implementation and operation of ASAP systems and for the promotion and expansion of the programme;

3. Coordinate the exchange of technical information on relevant meteorological equipment and expendables, development, functionality, reliability and accuracy, and survey new developments in instrumentation technology and recommended practices;

4. Review all relevant JCOMM Publications to make sure they are kept up to date and comply with Quality Management terminology;

5. Prepare annually a report on the status of ASAP operations, data availability and data quality.

Initial Membership: See here, plus the following:

Any other country making ASAP soundings
Possible participation by POGO

Note: HMEI is associated Member

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