oceanlove

  In mid-November 2024, a Scientific Support Coordinator from OR&R’s Emergency Response Division participated in a Republic of Korea - U.S. Joint Maritime Oil Spill Response Subject Matter Expert Exchange Workshop held in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK). NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator for the Pacific Islands Region, presents an overview of NOAA and NOAA’s role in oil spill response. Image credit: USCG. The purpose of the workshop, sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, was for U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and key ROK stakeholders to develop working relationships and procedures in order to effectively respond to an oil spill from a USFK facility or operation in the ROK. USFK operates several installations and contingency locations in the ROK, as well as associated vessels and other equipment. Workshop participants included representatives of the ROK’s Coast Guard, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and Ministry of the Environment; Korea Environment Institute; Marine Environmenta...

While Hurricane Milton is traversing the Gulf of Mexico, our researchers are onboard the @flynoaa P-3 and G-IV to gather important meteorological data. Today’s mission involves flying a rotated figure 4 flight path and deploying dropsondes, AXBTs, wave drifters and a @black_swift_technologies drone. Each of these instruments is uniquely designed to gather a different dataset.  But how do researchers actually collect oceanic and atmospheric observations? Dropsondes are launched from both the P-3 and G-IV aircraft. They slowly fall towards the ocean surface and gather atmospheric data on their descent. This gives researchers a picture of the conditions throughout the atmosphere that contribute to the storm.  The @black_swift_technologies S0 drone is another airborne expendable launched from the P-3. This uncrewed aircraft system flies autonomously, gathering data in the lower levels of the storm where planes cannot safely reach. This is revolutionizing the way scient...