Science aboard s/v ocean watch

Using a 64' sailboat as a research platform presents unique challenges in power management, instrument deployment, and instrument mounting. Because of the nature of sailing and keeping to the itinerary of Around the Americas, planning a focused research mission was not possible for this voyage. However, Ocean Watch can be used to collect something scientists call "datasets of opportunity." Essentially, instruments are used when opportunities present themselves. The Around the Americas voyage is a unique opportunity for scientists to collect new types of data and to test new methods and equipment.

Ten scientists from six institutions (University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory (UW-APL), the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO), RMR Co., MIT Sea Grant, NASA, and Western Washington University) have placed a diverse suite of instruments on board Ocean Watch to collect datasets of opportunity throughout the voyage. Projects span topics ranging from polar science and weather to jellyfish populations and the reflection solar energy. Brief descriptions of these projects are in the Science section and updates will be provided throughout the voyage.