As part of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE), Dr. Russ Davis of SIO has been deploying a kind of subsurface neutrally buoyant float to map large-scale circulation patters at 1000m depth. These floats, Autonomous Lagrangian Circulation Explorers (ALACEs), drift near 1000m depth for about a month and then rise to the surface. While on the surface they are located by System Argos satellites, report their submerged depth and temperature to Argos and then resubmerge for another cycle. Fifty cycles over four years are planned. The data (mainly the resultant drifts) are distributed internationally every six-months or so and are archived at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for subsequent public release. They make no measurements other than their own drift, depth and temperature.

During R/V Melville's transit from Tasmania passing north of New Zealand's North Island eight ALACEs will be deployed . The exact ship track is not important , the main interest is in the distance the floats are from the continental shelf. The following approximate coordinates along a line between Tasmania and New Zealand will serve the purpose. The ship's track will likely not pass through these points and we would prefer deployments be made at the listed longitude than the latitude on the ship track.

Longitude Latitude Comment