Carolinas Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System (Carolinas RCOOS): A model for integration of sub-regional observing systems

The Carolinas RCOOS is a sub-regional component of NOAA's Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). It was formally established by an award from 2007 IOOS funding, which supported the integration of two existing sub-regional programs in the southeast: the University of South Carolina (USC)-based Carolinas Coastal Ocean Observing and Prediction System (Caro-COOPS) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UMCW)'s Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring Program (CORMP). These programs had been successful in developing elements of end-to-end systems, including deployment and maintenance of observing systems, data management/analyses, model development, and outreach and partnership activities. Real time data on ocean and atmospheric conditions are transmitted from offshore buoys and pier-mounted stations, and additional non-real time data, periodic water quality data, and AUV data are also incorporated in the data management system. The transition to the Carolinas RCOOS involved elimination of some observing sites; significant increases in other observing capabilities; identification of new user applications for development; and incorporation of new partners. This successful integration of sub-regional programs has illustrated how close partnering and sharing of resources and capabilities can not only enable broader regional coverage, but can also achieve valuable operational efficiencies and enhanced potential for application development.