SABSOON

South Atlantic Bight Synoptic Offshore Observational Network (SABSOON)

A real-time observational network has been developed on the U.S. Southeastern continental shelf. Eight large offshore platforms, currently operated by the U.S. Navy for flight training, are being instrumented to provide a range of oceanographic and meteorological observations on a continuous real-time basis.

The tower grid covers an area of 115 km x 50 km and a depth range of 25 m to 45m. An existing communications system allows high-bandwidth, real-time data transmission to shore. The network is being designed to facilitate additions of instrumentation and access to the communications system by other researchers.

This unique system represents a significant resource for the oceanographic community, providing synoptic observations of large scale oceanographic processes in a continental shelf setting in real-time, and allowing the development of an interannual to decadal database on ocean atmosphere interactions. As designed, the network is capable of providing important information on cross-shelf exchange, storm effects, and atmospheric transport. Real-time video observations of an artificial reef habitat provide information for fisheries management and research.

Archived and real-time data may be used by weather forecasters, by mariners, and by resource managers for regional management decisions. Real-time data is currently available via the world wide web.

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