136
effectiveness of these efforts is highlighted by the role these systems have played in
a few catastrophic incidents such as hurricanes and large-scale accidents. More difficult to gauge are the economic benefits brought about through the facilitation of
safe and effective activity in the coastal marine environment and lives saved.
Assessment of ocean observing data needs of stakeholders operating in the
coastal ocean should be undertaken early-on using a wide variety of means of
enquiry in order to develop a detailed picture of user requirements. Identifying the
stakeholders is perhaps the most challenging initial undertaking. Personal visits to
state and provincial government authorities and to maritime business enterprises,
recreational operators, and travel agents focusing on the marine sector is an initial
step. Such visits may lead to the identification of additional stakeholders and open
the doors to addressing more structured forums such as operator associations, scientific societies, environmental groups, and government-promoted user associations.
Among the latter, regional Harbor Safety and Security Committees, promoted by
the Unites States Coast Guard, constitute welcoming fora for planning and promotion of ocean observing systems. Scientific societies, especially those focusing on
ocean science, hold well attended yearly and biannual meetings and symposia
where sessions dedicated to ocean observing are now quite common and additional
stakeholders may be identified.
Once a representative user database is developed, internet-based polling services can provide effective and economical means for refining data needs assessment. Expert discussion of available assets allows assessment of data gaps and
observation voids. Collective exercises (workshops, forums, and invited lectures)
serve to contrast existing observing products to user needs and thus to the design of
observing systems to fill identified data gaps. Prioritization exercises can help to
decide upon the urgency of data needs and balance these against budgetary
constraints.
A CariCOOS Stakeholder
In US jurisdictions, protocols are in place for the posting of weather-related
port security restrictions based on official forecasts emitted by the National
Weather Service. The decision as to when to open the port is left to the Port
Captain. A former Port Captain at San Juan, Puerto Rico, a US Coast Guard
officer, summed up these intangibles well remarking that, prior to the emplacement of a data buoy near the mouth of San Juan Bay, he was obliged to send
out a small boat to gauge whether sea state was favorable enough to open the
port for normal operations following the passage of heavy weather events, a
hazardous and time-consuming operation. After buoy emplacement, objective
numerical data on sea state has become available within the hour relieving the
economic consequences of port closure to maritime interests while ensuring
crew, ship, and port safety.
8 Planning, Implementation, and Operation of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
effectiveness of these efforts is highlighted by the role these systems have played in
a few catastrophic incidents such as hurricanes and large-scale accidents. More difficult to gauge are the economic benefits brought about through the facilitation of
safe and effective activity in the coastal marine environment and lives saved.
Assessment of ocean observing data needs of stakeholders operating in the
coastal ocean should be undertaken early-on using a wide variety of means of
enquiry in order to develop a detailed picture of user requirements. Identifying the
stakeholders is perhaps the most challenging initial undertaking. Personal visits to
state and provincial government authorities and to maritime business enterprises,
recreational operators, and travel agents focusing on the marine sector is an initial
step. Such visits may lead to the identification of additional stakeholders and open
the doors to addressing more structured forums such as operator associations, scientific societies, environmental groups, and government-promoted user associations.
Among the latter, regional Harbor Safety and Security Committees, promoted by
the Unites States Coast Guard, constitute welcoming fora for planning and promotion of ocean observing systems. Scientific societies, especially those focusing on
ocean science, hold well attended yearly and biannual meetings and symposia
where sessions dedicated to ocean observing are now quite common and additional
stakeholders may be identified.
Once a representative user database is developed, internet-based polling services can provide effective and economical means for refining data needs assessment. Expert discussion of available assets allows assessment of data gaps and
observation voids. Collective exercises (workshops, forums, and invited lectures)
serve to contrast existing observing products to user needs and thus to the design of
observing systems to fill identified data gaps. Prioritization exercises can help to
decide upon the urgency of data needs and balance these against budgetary
constraints.
A CariCOOS Stakeholder
In US jurisdictions, protocols are in place for the posting of weather-related
port security restrictions based on official forecasts emitted by the National
Weather Service. The decision as to when to open the port is left to the Port
Captain. A former Port Captain at San Juan, Puerto Rico, a US Coast Guard
officer, summed up these intangibles well remarking that, prior to the emplacement of a data buoy near the mouth of San Juan Bay, he was obliged to send
out a small boat to gauge whether sea state was favorable enough to open the
port for normal operations following the passage of heavy weather events, a
hazardous and time-consuming operation. After buoy emplacement, objective
numerical data on sea state has become available within the hour relieving the
economic consequences of port closure to maritime interests while ensuring
crew, ship, and port safety.
8 Planning, Implementation, and Operation of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems