Methods of observation | Previous Top Next

It has not been possible to adopt a standard device for observing sea surface temperatures on account of the great diversity in ship size and speed and of considerations of cost, ease of operation and maintenance. The temperature of the sea surface may be observed by:
a) Taking a sample of the sea-surface water with a specially designed sea-bucket.
b) Reading the temperature of the condenser intake water.
c) Exposing an electrical thermometer to the seawater temperature either directly or trough the hull.
d) Other.
The principal methods used for very many years have been (a) and (b). Studies of difference in temperature provided by the two methods have been made in which it is reported that intake temperatures average 0.3 °C greater than those measured by sea-bucket samples. As the speed and height of ships have increased, method (c) which gives the most consistent results has been more widely used. Of all these methods the condenser intake technique is the least desirable because of the very great care needed to obtain good results.