NOAA COLLABORATIVE EFFORT PROVIDES VALUABLE INFORMATION TO
VOLVO OCEAN RACE

Nov. 22, 2005 — NOAA oceanographers are finding new audiences for their cutting edge ocean observations and data, which is available online through a NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and CoastWatch Program cooperative effort. Sailing teams competing in the Volvo Ocean Race, which began Nov. 11, will for the first time access a collection of data on ocean currents and other observations that are essential to helping captains navigate the global race course with speed and safety. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of wave heights off the coast of Spain and Africa taken Nov. 22, 2005, measurements being used by participants in the Volvo Ocean Race. Please credit “NOAA.”)

A unique Web site created by AOML to access data for each leg of the race is a one-stop site for oceanographic and atmospheric data useful to race participants. Specific products include maps of surface winds, ocean currents, sea surface temperature, drifter trajectories and modeled wave height and direction. Each vessel will be able to access the Web site and download data while in port. While at sea, data from the page will be sent by satellite to the race yachts every six hours as part of weather data packages. This will provide them near real-time information on oceanographic and meteorological conditions.

These data are made available as easy-to-read graphic products and are collected from multiple sources, including NOAA, the U.S. Navy, NASA and the European Space Agency, while others are products in development at AOML. These products are used by scientists across the globe in their ocean and atmospheric research and are not developed specifically for the race.

"One of the keys to successfully navigating around the world is accurate selection of the fastest route," said Chris Bedford, official meteorologist for the Volvo Ocean Race. "By using global computer weather models and ocean current information, combined with the performance tables for each yacht, the fastest route can be calculated. The boats are provided meteorological and oceanographic data from a number of sources every six hours. NOAA data is a critical part of the data package and is vital for the route planning work of the race navigators who are constantly adjusting their plans based upon the incoming wind, wave and current information provided by AOML."

Provision of these data fields is part of a collaborative effort between NOAA and the Volvo Ocean Race to exchange information that provides NOAA access to a vast amount of oceanographic and meteorological information collected by all the participants during their around-the-world competition. This will enable scientists and racers to exchange valuable feedback on the observations of the complex weather and oceanographic conditions found throughout the world's oceans.

"Feedback from the race participants will improve validation of our products. This is a key component to improving ocean and atmospheric research and expanding real-time product availability to any vessel, and ultimately, further enhance the safety of around-the-world racing." said Gustavo Goni, a NOAA oceanographer at AOML.

"This program builds upon the successful partnership first established during the 2002 Volvo Ocean Race", added Joaquin Trinanes, NOAA CoastWatch Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico operations manager, who along with Goni provides data to the race.

The Volvo Ocean Race is the premier sailing event featuring the V070 sailboat and is sponsored by syndicates from around the world. The race will cover 32,500 nautical miles, stop in nine ports, including two in the United States (Baltimore/Annapolis and New York City), and sail through four oceans over eight months.

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal and marine resources.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Data for the Volvo Ocean Race

NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic Meteorological Lab

NOAA CoastWatch

NOAA CoastWatch Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico Node

Media Contact:
Jana Goldman, NOAA Research, (301) 713-2483 ext. 181