Windward Islands Passages Monitoring Program: Physical oceanographic data collected on cruise WI-91-01, HMBS Trident, 15-21 December 1991.

During 1991, a collaborative program between the U.S. and Barbados was established with NOAA/CGC/ACCP support to conduct regular measurements of the transport and water mass characteristics in the major southern passages to the Caribbean. The program involves the use of a Barbados Coast Guard vessel (the HMBS <em>Trident</em>) that makes routine (monthly) patrols in this area, which has been equipped to collect standard hydrographic measurements (CTD and water samples) and velocity profiles measurements using a downward-looking ADCP. The purpose of the program is to determine the quantity and time-variability of South Atlantic surface, thermocline, and intermediate waters flowing into the North Atlantic in compensation for southward cross-equatorial transport of North Atlantic Deep Water, and to establish an economical means for future monitoring of this return flow. The report contains data from cruise WI-91-01 conducted December 15-21, 1991.