The 46th edition (March 2016) of Oceanology International includes a feature on operational data management in support of Search and Rescue operations (SAROPS) – a collaborative activity in which the Physical Oceanography Research Group, at the University of Malta, played an active role. Oceanology International, held in London every two years, has firmly established itself as the world leading marine science and ocean technology exhibition and conference. Each edition, Oceanology International brings together the latest technologies and thought leaders worldwide. Attracting visitors from a variety of industries including oil & gas, engineering, renewables and maritime security and marine science, Oceanology International gives the opportunity for buyers and suppliers to do business in one location. Oceanology International offers structured networking opportunities to help suppliers establish relationships and secure business on a global scale.
The article “Operational Data Management in Support of Search and Rescue Operations. Malta, Central Mediterranean Sea”, co-authored by Prof. Aldo Drago, the Coordinator of the Physical Oceanography Research Group and Dr Joel Azzopardi, Department of Intelligent Computer Systems, is featured in ECO magazine (March 2016 issue).
The Physical Oceanography Research Group's participation in OI 2016 focused on operational data delivery in support of Search and Rescue operations. In times of the massive exodus of migrants and refugees from Africa and Middle East entering into European waters, the success of a S&R mission relies on the availability of maritime and aerial resources to cover extended areas and the optimized use of such limited resources. In the past years, end-users and emergency responders have benefited from the consolidation of several operational oceanography initiatives; this is particularly true in the Mediterranean Sea with the EU based MyOcean and Copernicus (Earth Observing & Monitoring) and sub-regional projects like CALYPSO. Such international, regional and national scale initiatives as CALYPSO project is beneficial for the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), among other stakeholders, with access to an array of MetOcean datasets covering their S&R area of responsibility.