MP's supplier of AXBT probes. The 

 numerical results of AXBT drops are also 

 sent to the U. S. Naval Fleet Numerical 

 Oceanographic and Meteorological Center 

 where they are quality controlled and 

 redistributed via oceanographic products. 



Satellite-tracked drifting buoys, 

 popularly known as WOCE buoys, are 

 drogued at a depth of either 15 or 50 

 meters and provide near real-time ocean 

 current information. For operational use by 

 IIP, WOCE buoys are deployed primarily in 

 the inshore and offshore branches of the 

 Labrador Current. The historical current 

 database used by HP's computer model is 

 modified weekly using information from 

 these drifting buoys. The 2002 iceberg 

 season proved especially challenging in 

 terms of current variability at the southern 

 end of the Grand Banks, demonstrating 



MP's requirement for this valuable 

 information. 



During the 2002 season, IIP 

 deployed 16 satellite-tracked drifting 

 buoys, four from reconnaissance aircraft, 

 and 12 from volunteer ships. Figure 15 

 displays composite drift tracks for the 

 buoys deployed in 2002. Figure 16 

 displays the shift from aircraft deployments 

 to ship deployments over the last few 

 seasons. Ship deployments are less costly 

 and less traumatic to the buoy than aircraft 

 deployments. IIP intends to maintain the 

 capability to deploy buoys from aircraft, 

 primarily for early season deployments to 

 the north and isolated required 

 deployments during the season. No buoy 

 recoveries were planned or attempted in 

 2002. Detailed drifter information is 

 provided in HP's 2002 WOCE Buoy Drift 

 Track Atlas, which is available from IIP 

 upon request. 



Figure 15. 2002 satellite-tracked drifting buoy tracks. 



14 



