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The following is taken form the World Meteorological Organization web site. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO, the international coordinating body for meteorological issues) defines the GTS as “The coordinated global system of telecommunication facilities and arrangements for the rapid collection, exchange and distribution of observations and processed information within the framework of the World Weather Watch”. GTS is the communications and data management component that allows the World Weather Watch to operate through the collection and distribution of information critical to its processes. It is implemented and operated by National Meteorological Services of WMO members and International Organizations. The GTS also provides telecommunication support to other WMO programs, facilitating the flow of data and processed products to meet requirements in a timely, reliable and cost-effective way, ensuring that all Members have access to all meteorological and related data, forecasts and alerts. This secured communication network enables real-time exchange of information, critical for forecasting and warnings of hydrometeorological hazards in accordance with approved procedures.

For more information on the GTS go to: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/TEM/GTS/index_en.html

5.2) What is the Shipboard Environmental data Acquisition System (SEAS)?

SEAS is a real-time ship and environmental data acquisition and transmission system, which also includes a Coast Guard Search and Rescue capability. The SEAS 2K software acquires atmospheric (e.g., wind speed), oceanographic data (e.g., XBT temperature profiles, thermosalinograph sea surface temperature and salinity) data. The SEAS software acquires and transmits the data in real-time to the Global Telecommunication System where the data are distributed to operation centers where the data are for weather and climate prediction. SEAS 2K is employed on commercial ships operating in all the world’s oceans, and on NOAA, University and Coast Guard Vessels. SEA2K was developed and tested by NOAA/AOML, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the U.S.Weather Service and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

For more information on the SEAS activities of the Physical Oceanography Division of NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory go to:

http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/goos/seas/index.php
5.3) What is the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER)?

AMVER is a component of the AMVER/SEAS transmission system. AMVER reports generated by SEAS software allow the U.S. Coast Guard to track a vessel’s position. The AMVER software creates a series of reports, which describe point of departure, route and arrival and include ships in a real-time search and rescue database. The AMVER program relies on ships to submit four types of reports; sail plans, position reports, arrival reports and deviation reports when necessary. The Coast Guard updates their database with the position information from these reports, which allows them to identify vessels in the vicinity of a ship in distress.

Figure legend: Figure taken from www.amver.com

http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/goos/seas/index.php

For additional information on the IOC go to:

http://www.wmo.int/pages/index_en.html

The following was taken from the WMO website. To predict the weather, modern meteorology depends upon near instantaneous exchange of weather information across the entire globe. Established in 1963, the WWW-the core of he WMO programs, combines observing systems, telecommunication facilities and data processing and forecasting centers, operated by Members, to make available meteorological and related environmental information needed to provide efficient services in all countries.

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  Monitor, understand and predict weather and climate
  
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  Describe and forecast the state of the ocean, including living resources
  
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  Improve management of marine and coastal ecosystems and resources
  
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  Mitigate damage from natural hazards and pollution
  
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  Protect life and property on coasts and at sea
  
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  Enable scientific research
  

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  International cooperation for sustained observations of the oceans
  
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  Generation of oceanographic products and services
  
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  Interaction between research, operational, and user communities
  

The following is taken from the IOC GOOS website. GOOS is a system of programs, each of which is working on different and complementary aspects of establishing an ocean observation capability for the world’s nations. UN sponsorship and UNESCO assemblies assure that international cooperation is always the first priority of GOOS. GOOS observations are designed to monitor, understand and predict weather and climate; describe and forecast the state of the ocean, including living resources, improve management of marine and coastal ecosystems and resources; mitigate damage from natural hazards and pollution; protect life and property on coasts and at sea; and enable scientific research. GOOS is a platform for: international cooperation for sustained observations of the oceans; generation of oceanographic products and services; and interaction between research, operational and user communities. GOOS is implemented by member states via their government agencies, navies, and oceanographic research institutions working together in a wide range of thematic panels and regional alliances.

http://www.ioc-goos.org/content/view/12/26/