Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2020

7 1 A first mate gets a ‘drifter buoy’ ready for deployment, to collect and transmit data on surface currents, temperature and salinity work to identify and recruit companies with vessels operating in the priority areas which are interested and capable of hosting or deploying instruments to collect the data,” says Holthus. “The WOC instigates the working relationship between the company and the scientific institution and facilitates the process to reach the point at which the technology is installed or deployed, and the data is being collected and shared. “The information from companies that participate in data collection goes to the appropriate national and international science organisation and becomes part of public databases, depending on the type of data. Bathymetric data is submitted to the relevant national hydrographic agency, and then to the International Hydrographic Organization. Oceanographic data makes its way to the Unesco Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Weather and climate data is managed globally by the World Metrological Organization. WOC has partnership arrangements with all the international organisations. The data from ‘ships of opportunity’ thereby contributes to the ability of governments and international organisations to support safe and responsible maritime activity by updating seabed maps, better modelling of ocean currents and conditions, improved forecasting of hurricanes, and so on. “The mission of the WOC is to engage ocean business community leadership, collaboration and action in support of a healthy, productive global ocean and its sustainable use and stewardship. Data driven knowledge is fundamental to this. “Cruise ships, ferries and other industry vessels or platforms can effectively collect ocean, weather and climate data in support of sustainable seas and safe, responsible industry operations.” C&F