IMOS SOOP: Sea Surface Temperature from MV Portland Ship Transects

Australian Ocean Data Network provides underway sea surface temperature observations collected on the merchant vessel MV Portland traveling between Fremantle, Western Australia and Melbourne, Victoria. The Bureau of Meteorology has quality-controlled the data, which is supplied with a near real-time aim of within 24 hours. The dataset was last updated on 2026-04-29.

Use Cases

• Validate and calibrate satellite-derived sea surface temperature products based on in-situ shipborne measurements.
• Analyze temporal and spatial temperature trends along a major Australian shipping route.
• Assimilate near real-time observational data into ocean forecasting models.
• Study the quality and utility of 'Ships of Opportunity' data collection programs.

Strengths

• Data is quality controlled by the Bureau of Meteorology, a national meteorological authority.
• Aims for near real-time delivery within 24 hours of collection.
• Provides in-situ measurements along a consistent transect between two major Australian ports.

Limitations

• Row count and column definitions are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality and format require manual inspection after download.
• Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to a single vessel's route and schedule.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Underway observations collected on the merchant vessel MV Portland (VNAH).

Time Range

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Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-29 12:14:46.357208; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Transects between Fremantle, Western Australia and Melbourne, Victoria.