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 This
file contains general guidelines for research vessels operating around
TAO moorings (both surface and subsurface).
We recommend that chief scientists contact PMEL prior to cruise departure
for more specific information regarding a particular area of operations,
including the positions of surface and subsurface moorings.
Some general information
and guidelines for operating around these moorings are as follows: 
- A safe operating distance is at least 2 nautical miles downwind and/or
downcurrent from a mooring.
- CTD casts up to 1000 m depth can be made at this distance. CTD casts
to greater than 1000 m depth should be made at distances proportionately
greater than 2 nautical miles.
- No expendibles (e.g. XBTs) within 2 nautical miles of a mooring.
- Subsurface current meter moorings are equipped with a 153.6 kHz acoustic
Doppler current profiler (ADCP) which samples for 15 minutes beginning
at the top of each hour. Ships operating at distances of 2 miles from
the buoy will not interfere with moored ADCP data collection at these
times.
- No refuse or other jetsam thrown overboard within 5 nautical miles
of the moorings.
- Positions of PMEL surface buoys can change over the course of a few
days to a week (depending on the current regime) by up to 2 nautical
miles. This is the diameter of a "watch circle" within which the buoy
moves due to the stretch of the nylon mooring line.
- The TAO Project Office is interested in obtaining ship measurements
within a few miles of a mooring for quality control purposes. No special
efforts need to be taken for collection of the shipboard data, except
to follow the general guidelines above. The following measurements would
be appreciated:
- CTD casts to at least 500 m depth.
- Shipboard ADCP data for comparison with moored ADCPs.
- Shipboard weather observations (wind speed and direction, wet
and dry bulb temperatures, cloud amount, precipitation, sea state,
etc.).
For further information please contact:
atlasrt@noaa.gov
TAO Project Office
Phone: 206-526-6890
Fax: 206-526-6744
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