1. Argo Information Centre & Argo Users
M. Belbeoch, Argo TC Euro-Argo Users Workshop #1
June 2008, NOC, Southampton

2. Argo Information Centre
International and technical coordination of the Argo programme
Guidelines by the Argo Steering Team
Close cooperation with international/intergovernmental organizations
IOC/UNESCO & WMO
Argo TC: Focal point for all Argo issues ( )
AIC: Clearing house for all programme aspects
close link with national/regional Argo components and all Argo people
International rules (Exclusive Economic Zones issues)
Information System:
Real-time monitoring system
On-line database (platforms, programmes, contacts, ...)
Information (News, Meeting, Doc, ...)
Mailing Lists
Monthly Report
Users Support Centre

3. JCOMMOPS
JCOMMOPS is a component of the international coordination mechanism, which aims, on behalf of JCOMM, to:
develop synergies between observing systems (Argo, DBCP, SOT, OceanSITES, ...IOCCP, Bio-Argo, Marine Mammals, Satellites, ...)
assist in the planning, implementation and operations of the observing systems
monitor and evaluate the performance of the networks
encourage cooperation between communities and member states
encourage data sharing
assist in data distribution on Internet and GTS
relay users feedback on data quality to platforms operators
provide technical assistance and user worldwide support
act as a clearing house and focal point on all programmes aspects
JCOMMOPS is not a data centre, rather, it:
gathers, QCs, and distributes essential metadata
guides users to data centers
More general information is available at

4. http://argo.jcommops.org Official float database
Search engine
Links to all GDACS, DACS, RDACS products
Real-time and independant tracking system (direct link with Argos)
Updated with new floats every month => Report
Monitoring tools (global, national, programmes, float groups, …)
Deployment Planning Procedure
Up to 1 year in advance
Refined gradually until formal deployment notification
Stats, Maps
Web GIS, monthly maps, on demand
Text files, Shapefiles, XML, Google Earth files
International visibility for all (your) argo related activities
=> you are looking for something … just ask the TC !

5. AIC: Support Centre Support to Users & Feedback from Users
Services to be improved and developed gradually
(15% In Marginal Seas)

6. AIC: Support Centre

7. Status

8. Network Growth

9. Yearly Survival Rate

10. Argo Coverage

11. Network Age

12. Argo Sensors

13. AIC: Google Earth ftp.jcommops.org/Argo/Status/

14. Google Earth

15. AIC: Float Retrieval Procedure
1.5% of floats are beached
(15% In Marginal Seas)
Redeployed
Shipped back
Recycled

16. Thank you …
Suggestions ?