Year
2019–2020
Operation Area
Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea
Purpose
The mission was a public-private partnership between Saildrone and 12 oceanographic research institutions and universities from seven countries. The mission was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 was an eddy survey near Cabo Verde led by the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research (GEOMAR) based in Kiel, Germany, and Phase 2 focused on cross-calibration of CO2 measurements at fixed ocean stations led by the Integrated Carbon Observation System, Ocean Thematic Center (ICOS OTC) based in Bergen, Norway.
Results
The Mediterranean Sea is considered to be a small-scale ocean in which many of the processes found throughout the world’s oceans occur, making it especially interesting for physical, climatic, and environmental studies. It is a highly productive region, much more so than anticipated, requiring a couple of service stops throughout the mission, despite the use of the latest anti-biofouling technology. The mission took nine months from start to finish and will serve as a blueprint for how public and private institutions between nations can work together to advance ocean observations.
