FOCI Standard Operating Instructions

January 2002
3.2.11 ARGOS Satellite-Tracked Drifter Buoy Deployments - Two to three working days before deployment, the Chief Scientist, or designee, will secure the drifter on the back deck.  The drifter buoy is then turned on, usually by removing the magnet, and an e-mail message will be sent by the Chief Scientist, or designee, to Dr. Phyllis Stabeno at Phyllis.Stabeno@noaa.gov, stating the serial number that is stamped on the drifter and the time that it was turned on.  This lead-time is necessary to ensure that telemetry from the buoy is being received and transmitted by the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS).  The method of deployment of the drifter is dependent upon the particular make of drifter and is to be directed by the Chief Scientist, or designee.


allen.macklin@noaa.gov