Decoding Maritime
SignalsSt. Petersburg Science Festival
Student Day, October 16, 2020
Integrated Ocean
Observing System (IOOS)
We Will Learn
1. Why universal communication on the high seas is important;
2. How the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) supports safe and efficient maritime operations; and
3. The International Code of Signals (ICS).
Value of Communicationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C-vYY3SBDE
SECOORASoutheast Coastal Ocean
Observing Regional Association
SECOORA is the regional
coastal ocean observing
system for North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia
and Florida.
www.secoora.org
SECOORASoutheast Coastal Ocean
Observing Regional Association
SECOORA’s mission is to
sustain observations that
help keep you safe.
SECOORA observes,
understands, and
increases awareness of our
coastal ocean.
www.secoora.org
SECOORASoutheast Coastal Ocean
Observing Regional Association
www.secoora.org
GCOOS GANDALFGulf AUV Network and Data Archiving Long-term Storage Facility
https://gandalf.gcoos.org/
Intro to International Code of Signals
International Code of Signals
First Code of Signals developed in 1850’s
Current International Code of Signals revised in 1965
• Safety of navigation and persons• Can be communicated visually (flags), radio (alphabet),
radiotelegraph and horns (morse code) • Each letter of the ICS alphabet also has a name and flag to
represent the signal
C Charlie
Clear and precise communication is essential to safe navigation on high seas and in and out of ports. Safe navigation protects people, environment, and cargo.
For example, if one of these ships was experiencing engine failure in this densely packed shipping lane, they may communicate: Foxtrot, Delta, Kilo, Victor to other ships nearby. They could repeat those ICS letters over their radio, and/or fly these flags Indicating that they are disabled (Foxtrot), keep clear (Delta), they would like to communicate (Kilo), and they require assistance (Victor).
F D K V
What will we do?1. Practice decoding a word given to you
in International Code of Signals format. You will use the ICS guide to determine each of the five letters.
2. Create a class banner using ICS symbols. For the activity, your class will come up with a saying for the banner. Each student will need:
• White paper or cardstock (about 6x6”)• Crayons, colored pencils or markers
(red, black, yellow and blue, depending on the symbol assigned).
Unscramble this five-letter word!
H
Unscramble this five-letter word!
RH
Unscramble this five-letter word!
S
RH
Unscramble this five-letter word!
S
RH
K
Unscramble this five-letter word!
S
RH
A
K
Unscramble this five-letter word!
S
RH
A
K
Unscramble this five-letter word!
Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, University of Miami, attaching a camera to a free-
swimming tiger shark. Credit: Brian Skerry, National Geographic SHARK
Now let us make a class banner!1. Select a saying for the class banner
• Same number of letters and/or numbers as the number of students
• Ideas include: School mascot, Go science!, etc.
2. Assign a letter for each student to color
3. Then color the letter!
4. String banner and hang in classroom
Example!
1. Select a saying for the class banner a. Same number of letters and/or numbers as the
number of studentsb. Ideas include: School mascot, Go science!, etc.
2. Assign a letter for each student to color
1. Then color the letter!
2. String banner and hang in classroom
Questions?
Chris Simoniello, PhD [email protected]
Grant Craig [email protected]
https://gcoos.org/
Abbey [email protected]
https://secoora.org/
Thank you for joining us!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://gcoos.org/https://secoora.org/