Research on the development of operational ocean observing equipment (OOOE) in China

Operational ocean observing system (OOOS) can meet the needs of marine disaster prevention and reduction, safeguard socio-economic development in coastal zones, and promote marine resource exploitation. As a solid foundation for the establishment of the OOOS, operational ocean observing equipment (OOOE) is attached great significance across the world. Three kinds of OOOEs in China are introduced and compared with those in developed countries in the aspects of accuracy, measuring range, and operational reliability and stability. The results show that the accuracy of wave height, wave period and wave direction is 0.2 m, 0.27 s and 5°-10° lower in average in comparing with that in the USA, respectively. The accuracy of tide gauges in China's stations is one order of magnitude lower and tide gauges also have relatively low measuring range. China's mooring buoys have shortcomings in communication and transmission, stealing and damage prevention, operational maintenance and intelligent observation compared with the world advanced level. Moreover, performance of cruising range and endurance time of AUG still should be improved significantly in China. The priorities of OOOE development in China are discussed and some suggestions are put forward. OOOEs across the world are becoming more informative and intelligent, with their functions being improved through serialized development, and their reliability is being increasingly enhanced. The priorities of OOOE development in China can be concluded, which include high-precision sensors and materials for improving the performance of instruments, anti-biofouling and corrosion-proof techniques for enhancing operational reliability, as well as intelligent electronic circuits, artificial intelligence and automation techniques for safeguarding observing stability. In addition, it is suggested that appropriate policies and measures be drawn up and implemented, such as focusing on major operational needs, making special planning, promoting core and general technological breakthroughs, constructing the innovation systems and platforms for OOOE, and establishing the access-exit mechanism of operational application.