The  three  groups,  2z_nz_nz_nz_n,  3T_nT_nT_nT_n,  and 4S_nS_nS_nS_n,  are  repeated  for  each  level  of  measured data. The z_nz_nz_nz_n reports each depth in whole meters. For example, 20001 reports a depth of 1 meter below surface,  and  20150  reports  a  depth  of  150  meters. Temperatures are reported by T_nT_nT_nT_n to the nearest hundredth  degree  Celsius,  with  5,000  added  to  the temperature  to  indicate  values  below  zero  degree Celsius.   In   our   example,   20010   31820   reports   a temperature  of  18.20°C  at  10  meters.  A  report  35120 would  indicate  a  temperature  of-1.20°C.  The  salinity group   4s_ns_ns_ns_n   is   only   included   if   salinity measurements  have  been  made.  This  group  reports salinity  to  the  nearest  hundredth  of  a  part-per-thousand. A report of 43472, for example, is 34.72%. In the second portion of section 3, under-sea current set and drift is reported. This report, if included, will be preceded  by  an  indicator  group  66k₆9k₃.  Indicator  k₆ refers to WMO Code Table 2267, the method used to correct  the  current  measurement  for  the  buoy’s movement. Indicator k₃ is the indicator for the duration and   time   of   the   data   sampling   for   the   current measurement  from  WMO  Code  Table  2264.  Neither are  significant  for  decoding  purposes.  For  each  level where the current is reported, the depth is reported by using  a  2z_nz_nz_nz_n  group,  and  then  the  direction  and speed  of  the  current  are  reported  in  the  group d_nd_nc_nc_nc_n.   The   d_nd_n  reports  the  set  of  the  current (direction towards) in tens ofdegrees True, while c_nc_nc_n reports the drift of the current in centimeters per second (hundredth  of  a  meter-per-second).  For  rough approximations, doubling the meters-per-second value yields  a  value  in  knots. For  example,  20150  18135 reports  the  current  at  150  meters  moving  toward  the south  (set  =  180°  True)  at  2.7  knots  (drift  =  135 centimeters or 1.35 meters-per-second). QUALITY  CONTROL DATA Section 4 of the report, beginning with the indicator 444,   reports   quality   control   information.   Actual movement of the buoy may be reported in this section and may be interpreted as a surface current speed and direction. Many values after the 444 indicator may be ignored  for  normal  data  applications. However, personnel  assigned  data  monitor  duties  at  activities where  the  reports  are  received,  must  encode  these values  to  signify  if  the  buoy  is  functioning  properly. Normally,  if  a  buoy  sensor  is  operating  within acceptable limits, the information in this section will not appear in the transmitted report. Thus, the absence of this section, with the exception of the 8V_iV_iV_iV_i and the 9idZdZdZd groups, indicates satisfactory operation Of the buoy. In order of appearance in the code, QP is the quality of  the  pressure  report;  Q₂  is  the  quality  of  the  buoys “house-keeping”; QTW is the quality of the sea-surface temperature  report,  and  44  is  the  quality  of  the  air- temperature  report;  QN  is  the  quality  of  the  satellite transmission;  and  QL  and  QA  are  the  quality  of  the reported  location. When  the  quality  of  the  reported buoy  position  in  section  0  is  doubtful,  a  second latitude/longitude   group   may   be   repeated   in   this section. The  actual  movement  of  the  buoy  may  also  be reported in this section as an aid in determining buoy location.   The movement of the buoy may be used as an approximate  surface  water  current,  especially  if  a drogue  anchor  is  affixed  to  the  buoy,  The  buoy movement   group,   7VBVBdBdB,   begins   with   the date/time of the last known position using a YYMMJ GGgg/ group. The speed of movement, VBVB, is given in  centimeters  per  second  (multiplied  by  .10).  The direction  of  movement,  dBdB,  is  given  in  tens  of degrees. In our example, 71227 would indicate that the buoy has moved at 2.4 knots (120 centimeters or 1.20 meters-per-second) toward the west (270° True). The  8V_iV_iV_iV_i  group  contains  an  engineering code. Ignore this group. The 9i_dZ_dZ_dZ_d group contains buoy cable (drogue) data.  The  code  figure  i_d  indicates  the  type  of  drogue used.  The  last  3  digits  in  the  group,  Z_dZ_dZ_d,  is  the length of the drogue in meters. Surface meteorological observations from drifting buoys  are  normally  automatically  processed  and  plotted on computer-produced surface charts. The bathymetric reports are not routinely plotted. The positions of the buoys  should  be  monitored  and  the  bathymetric  data entered into TESS or MOSS when buoys are near your operating  area.  These  reports  will  expand  your  USW area prediction capabilities. REVIEW  QUESTIONS Q31. What information is contained in section 2 of the drifting buoy code? Q32. What  is  the  data  identifier  for  a  drifting  buoy report? 2-20