During the last 10 years, OceanOPS has developed innovative partnerships with civil society, particularly with NGOs and racing yachts to deploy observing instruments in hard-to-reach locations, contributing to the real-time observation and stewardship of the ocean with low carbon footprints. These partnerships and activities were even more strengthened during the pandemic, when deployment of oceanographic instruments by research vessels was deeply impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.
The Odyssey project embodies the level of response we need to face climate issues and will help strengthen international collaborations within and outside the ocean observing community. These collaborations, based on the observations’ collection, data sharing and analyses, scientific and technological developments, will be essential to develop such a project.