OBSERVATIONS PROGRAMME AREA

Observations Coordination Group

The Observations Coordination Group shall:
(a) Keep under review and advise on the effectiveness, coordination and operation of the Observations work programme, including performance measured against scientific requirements, delivery of raw data, marine telecommunications, measurement standards, logistics and resources;
(b) Provide advice to JCOMM and to Observations Teams on possible solutions for newly-identified requirements, consulting, as appropriate, with relevant scientific groups, CBS, and CIMO;
(c) Coordinate with appropriate bodies to ensure JCOMM’s contribution towards the development of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System;
(d) Review in situ data requirements and recommend changes, as appropriate, taking into account the continuing development of satellite observations and their capabilities;
(e) Coordinate the development of standardized, high quality observing practices and instrumentation and prepare recommendations for JCOMM;
(f) With concurrence of the co-presidents of JCOMM, establish and create expert teams, task teams, pilot projects and appoint rapporteurs, as appropriate, to undertake the work of the Observations Programme Area;
(g) Examine trade-offs and use of new and improved observation techniques/developments against: (i) relevant requirements for variables within GCOS, GOOS and the WMO/CBS rolling review requirements and GOS; and (ii) available resources;
(h) Liaise with, and input to, CBS activities regarding the consolidated requirements database and operational satellites;
(i) Liaise with, and input to, CIMO activities regarding instruments and methods of observation;
(j) Identify capacity-building requirements related to the Programme Area;
(k) Identify satellite remote sensing requirements in the meteorological and ocean domains related to the Programme Area.

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Ship Observations Team

The Ship Observations Team shall:
(a) Respond to requirements for ship-based observational data expressed by relevant existing international programmes and/or systems in support of marine services, and coordinate actions to implement and maintain the networks to satisfy these requirements;
(b) Provide continuing assessment of the extent to which those requirements are being met;
(c) Develop methodology for constantly controlling and improving the quality of data;
(d) Review marine telecommunication facilities and procedures for observational data collection, as well as technology and techniques for data processing and transmission, and propose actions as necessary for improvements and enhanced application;
(e) Coordinate Port Meteorological Officer (PMO)/ship greeting operations globally, propose actions to enhance PMO standards and operations, and contribute as required to PMO and observers training;
(f) Review, maintain and update as necessary technical guidance material relating to ship observations and Port Meteorological Officers;
(g) Liaise and coordinate as necessary with other JCOMM programme areas and expert teams, as well as with other interested parties;
(h) Participate in the planning activities of the appropriate observing system experiments and major international research programmes as the specialist group on observations based onboard ships, including Voluntary Observing Ships, Ships-of-Opportunity, ships from the Automated Shipboard Aerological Programme, and research ships;
(i) Seek new opportunities for deploying various kinds of measuring devices as recommended by the relevant panels and widely publicize those opportunities;
(j) Develop as necessary new pilot projects and/or operational activities and establish new specialized panels as required;
(k) Carry out other activities as agreed by participating Members/Member States to implement and operate the SOT programme and to promote and expand it internationally.

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Ship-of-Opportunity Programme Implementation Panel

The Ship-of-Opportunity Programme Implementation Panel (SOOPIP) coordinates the installation and deployment of instrumentation from Ships of Opportunity that travel in fixed transects, and in particular coordinates the implementation of regional and basin-wide instrumentation that measure physical, chemical and biological parameters, such as XBTs, TSGs and CPR. Its terms of reference are to:
(a) Review, recommend on and, as necessary, coordinate the implementation of specialized shipboard instrumentation and observing practices dedicated, but not limited, to temperature and salinity measurements;
(b) Coordinate the exchange of technical information on relevant oceanographic equipment and expendables, development, functionality, reliability and accuracy, and survey new developments in instrumentation technology and recommended practices;
(c) Ensure the distribution of available programme resources to ships to meet the recommended sampling network in the most efficient way;
(d) Ensure the transmission of data in real time from participating ships; ensure that delayed mode data are distributed in a timely manner (within 24 hours of the observations) to data-processing centres;
(e) Maintain, through the SOT chairperson, appropriate inventories, monitoring reports and analyses, performance indicators and information exchange facilities;
(f) Provide guidance to the coordinator in supporting the Ship-of-Opportunity Programme (SOOP);
(g) Prepare annually a report on the status of SOOP operations, data availability and data quality;
(h) Where relevant, serve as a platform for other observational programmes;
(i) Maintain close communications with the scientific community;
(j) Support the formation of a SOOP Science Team dedicated to meet and discuss on a periodic basis results and ongoing research performed with XBT observations.

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Task Team on Instrument Standards

The Task Team shall:
1. Compile information on existing activities, procedures and practices within JCOMM relating to instrument testing, standardization and intercalibration, as well as the standardization of observation practices and procedures,
2. Using guidance contained in existing guides including the WMO Guides on Instruments and Methods of Observation (WMO-No.8) communicate with manufactures regarding new technologies and recognized equipment problems.
3. Prepare a JCOMM Technical Report containing this information, to be made widely available through relevant web sites (JCOMM, JCOMMOPS, VOS, DBCP, SOOP, SOT),
4. Provide guidance on testing and the intercalibration of marine meteorological and oceanographic observing systems.
5. Liaise closely with WMO/CIMO, both in the compilation of the information and in assessing what additional work in this area might be required under JCOMM.
6. Liaise closely with IOC in the preparation of the wider compilation of existing instrumentation and observing practices standards in oceanographic observations in general, with a view to inputting an appropriate contribution from JCOMM.
7. Perform intercomparisons as required by SOT Sessions;
8. Review all relevant JCOMM Publications to make sure they are kept up to date and comply with Quality Management terminology;
9. Work with the WMO Commission on Instruments and Methods of Observations for updating the WMO Guide No. 8 section dealing with ship-based observations.

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Task Team on ASAP

The Task Team shall:
1. Coordinate the overall implementation of the ASAP, including recommending routes and monitoring the overall performance of the programme, both operationally and in respect of the quality of the ASAP system data processing;
2. As may be required by some members, arrange for and use funds and contributions in kind needed for the procurement, implementation and operation of ASAP systems and for the promotion and expansion of the programme;
3. Coordinate the exchange of technical information on relevant meteorological equipment and expendables, development, functionality, reliability and accuracy, and survey new developments in instrumentation technology and recommended practices;
4. Review all relevant JCOMM Publications to make sure they are kept up to date and comply with Quality Management terminology;
5. Prepare annually a report on the status of ASAP operations, data availability and data quality

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Voluntary Observing Ship Panel

The Task Team shall:
(a) Review, recommend and coordinate the implementation of new and improved specialized shipboard meteorological instrumentation, siting and observing practices, as well as of associated software;
(b) Support the development and maintenance of new pilot projects;
(c) Oversee the transition of ships from VOSClim project status to the VOSClim Class within the VOS, and encourage other suitable ships to be upgraded to the VOSClim class;
(d) Develop and implement activities to enhance ship recruitment, including promotional brochures, training videos, etc.;
(e) Prepare annually a report on the status of VOS operations, data availability and data quality.

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Task Team on VOSClim

The Task Team shall:
1. Coordinate the provision of VOS Climate data and promote its availability to data users;
2. Encourage VOS operators, wherever possible, to upgrade existing VOS to VOS Climate Standards;
3. Revise VOS Climate ship information and documentation to reflect the integration of the VOS Climate Project into the wider VOS Scheme e.g. update the VOSClim document and promotional brochure, logo, website, and electronic logbook software;
4. Review all relevant WMO Technical Regulation, and JCOMM Publications, and make recommendations to JCOMM and CBS as appropriate to ensure that they are kept up to date and reflect the SOT proposal to include VOSClim as a new class of VOS reporting ship as part of the VOS Scheme;
5. In liaison with the scientific advisers, monitor and report on the quality and added value of the observations, model parameters and metadata in the VOSClim datasets.

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Data Buoy Cooperation Panel

The Data Buoy Cooperation Panel shall:
Consider the expressed needs of the international meteorological and oceanographic communities for real-time or archival data from ocean-data buoys on the high seas and request action from its members, the Technical Co-ordinator or action groups to meet these needs;
1. Co-ordinate activity on existing programmes so as to optimize the provision and timely receipt of good quality data from them;
2. Propose, organize and implement, through the co-ordination of national contributions, the expansion of existing programmes or the creation of new ones to supply such data;
3. Support and organize as appropriate such action groups as may be necessary to implement the deployment of data gathering buoys to meet the expressed needs of oceanographic and meteorological programmes such as WWW, WCRP, GOOS and GCOS;
4. Encourage the initiation of national contributions to data buoy programmes from countries which do not make them;
5. Promote the insertion of all available and appropriate buoy data into the Global Telecommunication System;
6. Promote the exchange of information on data buoy activities and encourage the development and transfer of appropriate technology;
7. Ensure that other bodies actively involved in buoy use are informed of the workings of the panel and encourage, as appropriate, their participation in the panel deliberations;
8. Make and regularly review arrangements to secure the services of a Technical Co-ordinator with the terms of reference given in Part B;
9. Report formally to the Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM), and participate in and contribute to an integrated global operational ocean observing system, implemented and co-ordinated through JCOMM;
10. Submit annually to the Executive Councils of the WMO and the IOC, to JCOMM and to other appropriate bodies of WMO and IOC, a report which shall include summaries of the existing and planned buoy deployments and data flow.

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DBCP Task Team on Instrument Best Practices & Drifter Technology Developments

The DBCP Task Team on Instrument Best Practices & Drifter Technology Developments shall:
Manage Instrument Best Practices and Quality Management:
• When required by the DBCP, evaluate quality of buoy data produced by specific types of buoys, as well as functioning, efficiency;
• Review existing practices for automatic real-time buoy data quality control, and delayed-mode buoy data quality control, and possibly suggest design changes for improvement (sensors, hardware, software, data formats) in liaison with the Task Team on technological developments;
• Address instrument evaluation issues; suggest specific tests and / or evaluation deployments in different sea conditions to DBCP members in order to evaluate buoy quality as described in (1) above;
• Share experience and results of evaluation with the DBCP and other interested parties;
• Review and recommend Best Practices; work on specific technical issues in order to facilitate standardization and liaise with the other DBCP Task Teams as appropriate (e.g., DBCP recommended Argos message formats); and
• Define specific criteria for evaluation purposes (e.g. ocean areas, definition of acceptable quality data, e.g., early failures, lifetimes, delays, accuracies, resolutions, etc.);
Drifter technology developments:
• Investigate developments in the fields of sensor technology, on-board processing, buoy hardware, hull design, energy generation and storage in order to better meet user requirements in terms of the range, reliability and quality of observed parameters and their cost-effectiveness;
• Regularly review and document operational and upcoming satellite telemetry systems in terms of their ability to address user requirements such as bandwidth, timeliness, availability, geographical coverage, reliability, service quality, technical support, energy consumption and cost;, and make specific recommendations to the communications service providers on required / desired enhancements;
• Review operational platform location systems, and whether they meet the user requirements;
• Propose to the DBCP and its Executive Board any evaluation activities and pilot projects that it deems beneficial to data buoy operators;
• Propose recommendations, both upon request and unsolicited, to the Argos Joint Tariff Agreement. Such recommendations shall be passed via the DBCP Executive Board or the DBCP as appropriate; and
• Evaluate, test, and promote buoy designs that are resistant to vandalism;
General:
• Review all relevant JCOMM Publications to make sure they are kept up to date, comply with Quality Management terminology, and adhere to the WMO Quality Management Framework (QMF);
• Provide the DBCP Executive Board and the DBCP, both upon request and unsolicited, with technical advice needed for addressing the issues above; and
• Submit reports to the DBCP Executive Board and to the DBCP at its annual session that describe intersessional activities and propose a Workplan for the next intersessional period.

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Task Team on Moored Buoys

The DBCP Task Team on Moored Buoys shall:
1. Review and document operational moored buoy systems and their underlying requirements;
2. Liaise with the different communities deploying moorings, including TIP, OceanSITES, seabed observatories, as well as national moored buoy programmes (coastal and global), and promote the development of multi-disciplinary mooring systems;
3. Liaise with the GOOS Scientific Steering Committee (GSSC) and its technical sub-panel for Integrated Coastal Observations (PICO) to facilitate synergy between advances in GOOS implementation and the development of operational capabilities, in particular, for sustained coastal observations, analysis and related services by using mooring systems;
4. Liaise with the JCOMM Expert Team on Wind Waves and Storm Surges (ETWS) regarding the need for in situ wave observations;
5. Compile information on opportunities for the deployment and / or servicing of moored buoys;
6. Monitor technological developments for moored data buoys and liaise with the Task Team on Technological Developments on satellite data telecommunication aspects;
7. Review all relevant WMO and IOC Publications on Instrument Best Practices
(e.g., JCOMM, CIMO) to make sure they are kept up to date, address WIGOS issues, and comply with Quality Management terminology;
8. Provide the DBCP Executive Board or the DBCP with technical advice needed for developing moored buoy programmes, including the issues above; and
9. Report to the DBCP Executive Board and the DBCP at its biennial Sessions, with periodically updated Workplans supporting implementation.

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OCEAN Sustained Interdisciplinary Timeseries Environment observation System (OceanSITES)

OceanSITES is a global system of long-term, deepwater reference stations measuring dozens of variables and monitoring the full depth of the ocean from air-sea interactions down to 5,000 meters.

OCEAN Sustained Interdisciplinary Timeseries Environment observation System (OceanSITES) also has the sub-groups OceanSITES Steering Team, OceanSITES Data Management Team and OceanSITES Executive Committee

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GLOSS Group of Experts

(i) Advise JCOMM on the implementation of the GLOSS System, at global and regional levels;
(ii) Work closely with the GSC and its subsidiary bodies on the integration of GLOSS into GOOS;
(iii) Update the GLOSS Implementation Plan regularly;
(iv) Ensure proper liaison with international research programmes and relevant international organizations;
(v) Provide advice on the development of TEMA components of GLOSS, regarding training of specialists, provision of instruments, their installation and maintenance, data evaluation and interpretation;
(vi) Report periodically to the IOC Governing Bodies and to JCOMM.

Terms of Reference for the Scientific Sub-Group of GLOSS (IOC Res. EC-XXXIII.9, Annex II):

(i) Provide the GLOSS Group of Experts and other interested relevant bodies, via the Chairperson of the GGE, with general scientific advice on matters pertaining to the implementation of the monitoring of global and regional sea level change within the GLOSS programme, particularly with regard to climate change aspects;
(ii) Undertake specific studies pertaining to the effective monitoring of global sea level changes on matters requested by the Chairperson of the GGE;
(iii) Provide assistance as requested to the Chairperson of the GGE in the construction of Science and Implementation Plans for GLOSS;
(iv) Provide, through its scientific membership, links to other relevant bodies concerned with sea level change including OOPC, CLIVAR/UOP, IAPSO/CMSLT and C-GOOS and report implications to the GGE.

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DATA MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME AREA

Data Management Coordination Group

The Data Management Coordination Group, in close collaboration with International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) and Commission for Basic Systems subsidiary bodies and related experts, shall:
(a) Maintain a data management plan for JCOMM that identifies, assesses and specifies priorities and actions for the Data Management Programme Area;
(b) In concurrence with the co-presidents of JCOMM and the co-chairs of IODE, establish and create expert teams, task teams, pilot projects and appoint rapporteurs, as appropriate, to undertake the work of the Data Management Programme Area;
(c) Ensure collaboration, appropriate coordination and liaison with IODE as well as with the Commission for Basic Systems and other relevant bodies and activities external to WMO and UNESCO/IOC;
(d) Keep under review, assess and coordinate the adoption of appropriate new information technology;
(e) Establish and maintain cooperation with science programmes and assist with their data management activities, as appropriate;
(f) Provide advice and feedback to users of the Data Management Programme Area functions, through the appropriate JCOMM programme area, through IODE directly;
(g) Identify capacity-building requirements related to the programme area and, as appropriate, coordinate activities to address these requirements;
(h) Identify satellite remote sensing requirements related to the programme area.

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Expert Team on Data Management Practices

The JCOMM-IODE Expert Team on Data Management Practices, in close collaboration with JCOMM programme areas, Commission for Basic Systems subsidiary bodies, IODE officers and related experts, shall:
(a) Manage the process of adopting and documenting standards and best practices to be used in IODE-JCOMM data management through the Ocean Data Standards Pilot Project;
(b) Review and assess the effectiveness of end-to-end data management practices, including those of WIS/WIGOS and UNESCO/IOC-IODE Ocean Data Portal;
(c) In concurrence with the co-presidents of JCOMM, the chairperson of the JCOMM Data Management Coordination Group and UNESCO/IOC-IODE officers, establish task teams and pilot projects, as necessary, to undertake the work of the Expert Team on Data Management Practices;(d) Direct and coordinate the activities of the task teams and pilot projects referred to under (c);
(e) Provide advice to the IODE of UNESCO/IOC and the Data Management Coordination Group and other groups of JCOMM, as required;
(f) Liaise and collaborate with other groups as needed, to ensure access to required expertise, appropriate coordination and to avoid duplication.

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Expert Team on Marine Climatology

The Expert Team on Marine Climatology, in close collaboration with UNESCO/IOC-IODE, the Global Ocean Observing System, Global Climate Observing System, Commission for Climatology and Commission for Basic Systems subsidiary bodies and related experts, shall:
(a) Determine procedures and principles for the development and management of global and regional oceanographic and marine meteorological climatological datasets;
(b) Review and assess the climatological data elements of the Commission, including the operation of the Marine Climatological Summaries Scheme and the Global Collecting Centres, and the development of required oceanographic and marine meteorological products;
(c) Review the Global Ocean Observing System and Global Climate Observing System requirements for climatological datasets, taking account of the need for quality and integration;
(d) Develop procedures and standards for data assembly and the creation of climatological datasets, including the establishment of dedicated facilities and centres;
(e) Collaborate and liaise with other groups as needed to ensure access to expertise and ensure appropriate coordination;
(f) Keep under review and update, as necessary, relevant technical publications in the area of oceanographic and marine meteorological climatologies.

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Task Team on Delayed Mode VOS Data

The self-funded Task Team will primarily work via email and shall:
1. Examine current delayed-mode VOS data management practices, including those of the GCCs, and streamline them as possible to reduce redundancies (if any), standardize operations, and exploit appropriate modern technologies;
2. Examine possibilities for commonality of the data management of the delayed-mode data, with real-time VOS data;
3. Keep under review the International Maritime Meteorological Tape (IMMT) format, and suggest changes if necessary;
4. Keep under review the Minimum Quality Control Standards (MQCS), and suggest changes if necessary;
5. Submit proposals to the JCOMM via the ET-MC for revising technical publications, in particular the WMO Manual (No. 558) and Guide (No. 471) on Marine Meteorological Services, to incorporate possible changes in the IMMT and the MQCS, and to reinvent the MCSS terminology;
6. Review the International Maritime Meteorological Archive (IMMA) format, and suggest ways to reconcile the IMMT and IMMA formats;
7. Establish and maintain a website to share relevant information;
8. Collaborate and liaise with VOSClim and other groups (e.g., SAMOS and GOSUD), as needed, both to ensure access to expertise and appropriate coordination.

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SERVICES AND FORECASTING PROGRAMME AREA

Services and Forecasting Systems Coordination Group

The Services and Forecasting Systems Coordination Group, in close collaboration with the Commission for Basic Systems, Global Ocean Observing System, Global Climate Observing System, Disaster Risk Reduction and other subsidiary bodies and related experts, shall:
(a) Keep under review and ensure the effectiveness, coordination and operation of the Services work programme, including performance with respect to timeliness, standards, quality and relevance to established user requirements;
(b) Through the assembly of requirements identified by specialist service groups, and other Programme Areas of JCOMM, provide advice on Services and Forecasting Systems Programme Area activities that need to be changed, implemented or discontinued;
(c) Develop and enhance interfaces to representative user groups to monitor the strength and weaknesses of existing Services and Forecasting Systems Programme Area activities;
(d) With the concurrence of the co-presidents of JCOMM, establish and create Expert Teams, Task Teams, Demonstration Projects and appoint Rapporteurs, as appropriate, to undertake the work of the Services and Forecasting Systems Programme Area;
(e) Ensure effective coordination and cooperation with groups and bodies in the area of service provision, including other Programme Areas of the Commission;
(f) Assess and recommend capacity-building tools/systems in accordance with identified requirements;
(g) Identify and maintain in situ and satellite measurement requirements for Services and Forecasting Systems Programme Area and monitor its implementation.

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Expert Team on Maritime Safety Services

The Expert Team on Maritime Safety Services (ETMSS), in close collaboration with international organizations and other entities representing users’ interests, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), and other concerned organizations and bodies on maritime safety, search and rescue and marine pollution issues, including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), shall:
(a) In support of the Maritime Safety, Efficiency, and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations:
(i) Monitor and review the operations of marine broadcast systems, including for the GMDSS and others for vessels not covered by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea;
(ii) Monitor and review technical and service quality standards for meteorological and oceanographic maritime safety information, particularly for the GMDSS, and provide assistance and support to Members/Member States as required;
(iii) Propose actions as appropriate to meet requirements for international coordination of meteorological and related communication services;
(iv) Develop technical advice and guidance material on Marine Meteorological Services, including keep under review the Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No. 558), the Guide on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No. 471) and Weather Reporting (WMO-No. 9, Volume D – Information for Shipping), and provide assistance and support to Members/Member States as required;
(b) In support of the Marine Pollution Emergency Response Support System (MPERSS):
(i) Monitor implementation and operations of MPERSS; review and suggest, as necessary, improvements to the contents of the overall system plan; (in consistency with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, and other international conventions);
(ii) Facilitate coordination and cooperation amongst the Area Meteorological and Oceanographic Coordinators (AMOCs) of MPERSS, in particular, with a view to ensuring full and ongoing operations in all areas, as well as the exchange of relevant advice, information, data and products between AMOCs, as appropriate and required;
(c) Monitor requirements by ensuring feedback from the user communities is obtained through appropriate and organized channels and applied to improve the relevance, effectiveness and quality of services;
(d) Liaise with and gather input from the Expert Team on Sea Ice, the Expert Team on Wind Waves and Storm Surges and the Expert Team on Operational Ocean Forecasting Systems on all aspects of sea ice, sea state, storm surge and ocean circulation relevant to the operation and improvement of maritime safety services and maritime accident emergency support;
(e) Ensure effective coordination and cooperation with concerned organizations, bodies and Members/Member States on maritime safety issues and marine accident emergency support needs;
(f) Assist Members/Member States in the implementation of services and in the development of standardized methods for the quality assurance related to the provision of Maritime Safety Information, especially for the GMDSS, through capacity-building activities;
(g) Develop, in accordance with existing standards (for example, from the International Hydrographic Organization), graphical/numerical product specification for marine parameters, foremost wind, sea state, currents and sea ice, in Electronic Navigation Chart Systems;
(h) Provide advice to the Services and Forecasting Systems Coordination Group and other JCOMM groups, as required, on issues related to maritime safety services and marine accident emergency support;
(i) Continue to liaise closely with relevant groups and teams of organizations, such as IMO, IHO, ICS, IMSO and the European Maritime Safety Agency, to coordinate and improve maritime safety services, SAR and marine accident emergency support.

As a general principle, these terms of reference will be implemented through specific, defined, time-limited projects.

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Expert Team on Wind Waves and Storm Surges

The Expert Team on Wind Waves and Storm Surges (ETWS) shall:
(a) Provide advice to Members/Member States on the development of real time operational forecast capability for wind waves and storm surge, as part of marine multi-hazard warning systems, to enhance their capacities to issue more accurate, consistent and timely operational forecast products;
(b) Develop technical advice and guidance material on wind wave and storm surge modelling, forecasting and service provision as part of marine multi-hazard warning systems, including coastal inundation modelling, forecasting and risk assessment, and provide assistance and support to Members/Member States as required;
(c) Provide advice to Members/Member States on the development of capability to provide marine multi-hazard warning services, with special attention to least developed countries and small island developing States, through capacity-building activities;
(d) Provide advice to Members/Member States on the development of wind wave and storm surge climatology and indices as a measure of risk assessment for marine coastal hazards;
(e) Ensure effective coordination and cooperation with other WMO and appropriate Global Ocean Observing System bodies, particularly on requirements for, and implementation of, wind wave and storm surge data, products and services.

As a general principle, these terms of reference will be implemented through specific, defined, time-limited projects.

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Expert Team on Sea Ice

The Expert Team on Sea Ice (ETSI) shall:
(a) Coordinate and advise Members/Member States on products and services required by user communities in sea ice areas, to support navigation, coastal and off-shore activities, monitoring of the sea ice cover;
(b) Provide advice to ETMSS on all aspects of impacts of sea ice relevant to maritime safety, marine pollution response and search and rescue services;
(c) Maintain linkages with the Expert Team on Operational Ocean Forecasting Systems on the relevant sea ice modelling and forecasting techniques;
(d) Maintain linkages with projects and programmes related to the role of sea ice in the global climate system, including through the World Climate Research Programme and the Global Cryosphere Watch;
(e) Develop technical advice and guidance material, software exchange, specialized training and other appropriate capacity-building activities with regard to sea ice observations, analysis and services, and provide assistance to Members/Member States as required;
(f) Keep under review and provide guidance as appropriate on the operations of the Global Digital Sea Ice Data Bank, in collaboration with the Expert Team on Marine Climatology;
(g) Maintain and develop formats, nomenclatures and procedures for sea ice data and information exchange as well as relevant terminology, coding and mapping standards;
(h) Maintain linkages with relevant international organizations and programmes, in particular the Baltic Sea Ice Meeting, CLIC, European Ice Service, International Ice Charting Working Group, North American Ice Service, ASPeCt, Global Climate Observing System and the International Hydrographic Organization.

As a general principle, these terms of reference will be implemented through specific, defined, time-limited projects.

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Expert Team on Operational Ocean Forecasting Systems

The Expert Team on Operational Ocean Forecasting Systems (ETOOFS) shall:
(a) Manage and maintain the guide, scope and requirement documents, adhering to relevant Quality Management Systems, for Members/Member States providing ocean forecasting services;
(b) Guide and initiate actions at an international level that will contribute to the improvement of operational ocean prediction system efficiency, fidelity and service quality;
(c) Provide advice on Operational Ocean Forecasting Systems related matters and prepare submissions on the requirements (for example, research, observations and data management) of Operational Ocean Forecasting Systems operated by Members/Member States to other international groups;
(d) Manage and promote the adoption of an international standard to support interoperability and the common formatting of ocean forecast products and services;
(e) Promote and facilitate the support for and development and adoption of services to the wider community, particularly recognized special interest activity areas (for example, marine accident emergency support, maritime safety services, sea ice, and wind waves and storm surges).

As a general principle, these terms of reference will be implemented through specific, defined, time-limited projects.

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