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What is Vos ?
Vos is an acronym for gVoluntary Observing Shipsh. We equip private commercial vessels with observation gear to measure water temperature, salinity, and pH, with findings publicly released.
Why Vos ?
Oceans cover approximately 2/3 of the earthfs surface, while seawater comprises over 97% of the entire earthfs surface water. It is estimated that seawater contains about 50 times more carbon dioxide (CO2) than the atmosphere. Naturally, changes in the global environment cannot be understood without an accurate assessment of the role of the oceans therein. Actually, however, many factors are as yet unknown with respect to what occurs in the ocean. In order to deepen our knowledge of these vast oceans, many countries are joining hands in oceanographic research, using satellites, buoys and research vessels. Commercial vessels, too, that sail the worldfs seas can be functionally equipped to collect data during their voyages and thereby help to shed light on the oceanic mechanism.
Why an NPO ?
Oceanographic surveys and observations are conducted in a variety of ways. The first option is to use a research vessel operated by governments and institutions. While a research vessel permits highly precise experiments and observations, based on the participation of specialists using sophisticated equipment, this sort of vessel is not necessarily suitable for repetitive or temporal observations, such as those involving repeated monthly measurements in the same waters and on the same subjects.
Although stationary buoys at fixed points are indispensable for observations relative to the vertical direction of the sea, it is by no means easy to cover a wide area of ocean with a large number of buoys. A programme for deploying mid-layer floats around the world to drift at depths of about 1,000m and measuring water temperature and salinity as they are brought to the surface from depths of about 2,000m at fixed intervals to transmit data through satellites, called Argo Programme, has been progressing with the international cooperation. On the other hand, technology is well advanced for making observations of oceans from satellites. This is an ideal method for covering wide expanses, such as in global-scale analysis. But, even in this case, for purposes of correcting observation data from satellites, actual sea-truth data play an important role.
Observations using a private commercial vessel servicing the same route on repeated trips, though subject to various limitations in terms of measuring methods and data, are outstanding for accumulating spatial and temporal observation data. Cargo vessels that crisscross the worldfs ocean lanes in every conceivable direction constantly take in seawater from the shipfs bottom for use in cooling the engines and other on-vessel operations. Using this inflow, water temperature, salinity and pH can be continuously measured. This data, if assured by the regular maintenance work of sensors and the quality check of measurements, can be compiled and disseminated for use by many persons and institutions, both scientific and operational, throughout the world. For this framework to function smoothly, we are confident that a major role can be played by an NPO, by virtue of its inherent mobility and public service character.
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What is VOS ?
