Marine Application Of The ARGOS System

The performances of the ARGOS data collection and location satellite system were fully demonstrated during the first GARP experiment (FGGE), in particular, several hundred of drifting buoys equipped with ARGOS transmitters were deployed for meteorological and oceanographic data collection. The present marine applications of the ARGOS system include : 1. The improvement of the meteorological network using drifting and moored buoys, and ship keyboard terminals. 2. The study of ocean currents (Gulf Stream, Kuro-Shivo, Equatorial Currents, Offshore Currents). 3. Sea-Ice interaction studies associated with offshore industry. 4. Directional wave phenomena characterization for marine mechanical engineering purposes (oil rigs design, port construction...).