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OMAO Forms OMAO Publications Schedules
Additional OMAO Web Sites Inside.OMAO* New address 8/8/08 *limited access
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OSCAR DYSON Recognized for Record-Breaking Marine Weather Data Contributions
But those aboard the ship aren’t satisfied with breaking the NOAA record. They want OSCAR DYSON to be the top VOS contributor in the world. According to Commander Michael Francisco, NOAA, commanding officer of OSCAR DYSON, all of the VOS observations were recorded manually in 2007 as is traditionally done by VOS participants. However, OSCAR DYSON has since begun ramping up its observations by supplementing manual observations with automated ones. Significantly increasing the number of observations will provide an invaluable service to others transiting the often stormy waters of Alaska as well as add to the treasure trove of data supporting global climate research.
CDR Francisco said the ship has been working with Kodiak Port Meteorological Officer Rich Courtney to devise an automated system. Now some of the data collected by OSCAR DYSON’s weather instruments are sent to the National Weather Service automatically, while other data continue to be recorded and submitted manually. CDR Francisco wrote in an email that “Accolades go to Electronics Technician Vincent Welton, Senior Survey Technician Kathryn Hough, and to Rich Courtney for piecing the technical aspects of automated data transmission together. I'm extremely proud of our people for understanding the importance of these reports since we frequently observe from remote locations in Alaska, and for working together to bring a good idea to fruition. I am also very proud of the OSCAR DYSON's junior officers and watchstanders, who still record and send in manual reports just like clockwork. “Our goal is to be at the top of the world-wide VOS list--very difficult for us with only manual reports due to operational and safety requirements, but actually achievable through automation,” CDR Francisco said. The U.S. VOS program is part of an international program of the World Meteorological Organization. Approximately 4,000 ships worldwide participate in the overall VOS program; a quarter of those ships are from the United States. VOS awards are issued each year to ships that have excelled in their contribution to the United States VOS Program. OSCAR DYSON placed 12th in the 99VOS awards issued for 2007, giving her “elite” status. Four other NOAA ships also received top honors: ALBATROSS IV, GORDON GUNTER, NANCY FOSTER, and RONALD H. BROWN.; VOS operates at no cost to the vessel, with communication charges, observing equipment and reporting supplies furnished by the National Weather Service.
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While sailing the waters of Alaska, 
The VOS real-time data support weather forecasts and warnings, safety at sea, and commerce, as well as help define the global climate and measure extreme weather events, climate variability, and long-term climate changes. During the past few decades, the increasing recognition of the role of the oceans in the global climate system has placed even greater emphasis on the importance of marine meteorological and ocean observing systems—particularly in data-sparse areas like Alaska, where OSCAR DYSON operates.
