Green Marine UK has recently launched a series of underwater gliders in the North Sea as part of an innovative data collection project, led by the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and the Met Office. This collaboration aims to improve ocean and weather forecasting, essential for navigation and safety in the region.
What do underwater gliders do?
The advanced underwater gliders have the ability to operate at depths of up to 200 metres and will provide crucial data such as ocean temperature and salinity . The devices will be deployed at six-month intervals over a three-year period. The data collected will be sent in near real-time to the Met Office, contributing to a wider effort to improve the accuracy of weather and ocean models crucial to UK weather forecasting.
Collecting real-time data is key to strengthening ocean models and improving the accuracy of predictions about climate change and ocean biodiversity. These advanced sensors provide detailed insights into ocean circulation , which in turn helps meteorologists more accurately predict weather patterns and their impacts on the marine environment.
Technological innovation and continuous collaboration
Myles Metson, Operations and Technology Director at Green Marine UK, said: “This initiative is part of a series of projects the company has been delivering with the NOC since 2022. The Green Marine team has received specialist training in the management, deployment and recovery of the gliders, thereby optimising observation missions in the North Sea.
In addition to this project, Green Marine UK has worked with other institutions such as Blueocean Tech Systems to deploy ocean monitoring technologies at several locations along the UK coastline.
Promising future for marine science
This effort is part of a larger programme of investment in marine research , supported by £41.4m funding awarded to the NOC by the UK government , part of a broader £101m package to promote research in diverse natural environments, including the oceans. This funding drives scientific innovation and oceanographic technology in key areas such as climate resilience and national security.
Stephen Woodward, director of engineering at the NOC, said the use of advanced underwater gliders would help transform the way the UK approaches analysing its oceans and studying climate change , giving the country’s institutions new tools to tackle global environmental challenges.
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Source and photos: Green Marine UK
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