What kind of oceanographic buoys does IIP have and how are they used?
IIP uses a modified version of the WOCE (World Ocean Circulation Experiment) buoy. These WOCE buoys are drogued at 15 or 50 meters to track the deep water currents that affect iceberg drift. The drifters also measure the sea surface temperature using a thermister on the underside of the surface float. The drifters are further equipped with submergence sensors that indicate drogue loss. Buoys without drogues do not follow ocean currents well, because the surface float is significantly affected by winds and waves. Drifters transmit sensor data to satellites that determine the buoy’s position and relay the data to Argos ground stations. Service Argos provides tracking and data services. The WOCE buoys IIP use generally cost about $2,000 each. IIP deploys between 12 and 15 buoys each year in the Labrador Sea/North Atlantic region. The buoys are either ship deployed by vessels of opportunity or air deployed by Coast Guard C-130 aircraft during iceberg reconnaissance. Each buoy provides lati
