National Ocean Service

About: National Ocean Service is a government organization based out in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Algal bloom & Population. The organization has 500 authors who have published 643 publications receiving 46096 citations.

Extensible physical oceanographic real-time system (PORTS)

Abstract: NOAA's PORTS is a decision support system to facilitate safe and efficient maritime commerce and effective environmental resource management. PORTS is installed in Tampa Bay, New York/New Jersey Harbor, Houston/Galveston, and San Francisco Bay. PORTS consists of real-time observations of ocean conditions and weather, computer model nowcasts and forecasts of ocean fields, and dissemination of data via a telephone voice data response system and Internet. PORTS information ensures that an adequate margin of safety is available to larger and larger ships in channels which are being deepened but not significantly widened. PORTS provides information permitting shippers to load their vessels to take full advantage of real-time water levels and channel improvements. PORTS information guides hazardous materials spill prevention and response as well as effective ecosystem health management. The San Francisco Bay PORTS is the model for a future National PORTS. That model is an extensible PORTS based on an Information Hub Concept (InfoHub) which will permit PORTS to adapt to evolving user needs. The extensible PORTS provides standard sensor interfaces to encourage the addition of non-NOAA sensors to the system. A data base provides a broad user community with access through downloadable applications and applets on Internet. PORTS provides information broadcast to shipboard vector and raster Electronic Chart and Information Display Systems and a Lockheed Martin/Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Navigation and Piloting Expert Systems (NPES). An open architecture design will encourage commercial and academic partners to participate in National PORTS development.

Strategic assessment of multiple resource-use conflicts in the US exclusive economic zone

Abstract: The 1983 Presidential proclamation establishing the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has prompted new interest in the exploration and development of the resources of this vast oceanic area. Due to the incomplete nature of available information and the resultant uncertain decisionmaking context, decisions that maximize net national benefits from the EEZ will be difficult to identify and make. Since 1979, NOAA's Ocean Assessments Division has been organizing and synthesizing the best available information on selected characteristics of important regions of the EEZ and conducting comprehensive, "strategic" assessments useful for reducing potential conflicts in the multiple use of resources. Recent activities to develop data bases, publish data atlases, develop innovative approaches for identifying and assessing issues, and applying all of these tools to actual and real EEZ-related problems are described.

The potential of satellite-based radar altimeters

Abstract: The benefits of satellite-based radar altimetry for oceanographic research are discussed in connection with the Seasat Altimeter Data Seminar. After a general review of the oceanographic data collected by the Seasat and GEOS-3 satellites, a number of criteria are proposed for the successful operation of a satellite-based radar altimeter for oceanographic remote sensing applications. It is shown how the interpretation of altimeter return power waveforms can be used to calculate wind speed, ocean circulation and variability in wind, waves, and tides. A number of recommendations for improving the accuracy of radar altimeter data are given which may be incorporated in the design of the GEOSAT and TOPEX research satellites.