Africa Partnership Station working to further oceanic data collection in Gabon

Photo By Chief Petty Officer David Holmes | Petty Officer 2nd Class Sule Abiodun, a member of Africa Partnership Station Nashville's Department of Defense medical team, tests the vision of a school girl during a visit to Gabon's capital city. APS is a multinational initiative developed by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to improve maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.  

LIBREVILLE, GABON

04.19.2009

Story by Seaman Matthew Bookwalter 

U.S. Navy           

LIBREVILLE, Gabon — Africa Partnership Station Nashville teamed up with the International Argo Program and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, April 16, in an effort to further data collection in the Gulf of Guinea.

Together, the organizations donated three Argo Solo Floats to the Gabonese government in a ceremony.

"We are pleased to have been given the chance to present these floats to the Gabon government," said APS Commander Capt. Cindy Thebaud during a press conference. "The data collected will help increase the quality of life for the people who live along the coast."

Improving overall quality of life along coast lines through research is a key component of the Argo system. To make this system work, Argo brings together 50 different research agencies from 26 different countries.

"Although a lot of what we are involved in is maritime engagement and strategy, we invest a good deal of time working with environmental issues," said Thebaud. "It affects more than just the people who live along the coast. This is a global effort."

The buoys are free floating probes that collect data on the temperature and salinity of the water.

"The need for this research is essential to the improvement to maritime safety and global security," said Dr. Augustus Vogle, an oceanic researcher, embarked with APS Nashville.

Each float is designed to sink and collect data as deep as 2 km. while running on a 10-day cycle. The buoys move with water currents and surface every 10 days to transmit the recorded data to satellites on the same cycle.

"When the data is collected, it goes onto the internet so anybody can access it," Thebaud said. "It results in public information that can be used by researchers and students around the world."

With the information available to those who need it, fisheries and costal villages will be able to better understand how to keep their waters safe and clean, ensuring future generations a means of income.

APS is a multinational initiative under the auspices of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa which is designed to work cooperatively with U.S., South American, European and African partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. It is a concept that provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by employing a diverse team of maritime professionals in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields such as fisheries management, port security and meteorology.

To learn more about Africa Partnership Station and its mission, visit the APS website at www.c6f.navy.mil/apshome.html.

• Date Taken: 04.19.2009
• Date Posted: 04.19.2009 14:15
• Story ID: 32576
• Location: LIBREVILLE, GA