The global ocean platform inventory

By initiating a comprehensive inventory of in situ ocean platforms that routinely collect oceanographic and marine meteorological data, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration´s Office of Ocean Services (OOS) has taken the first step toward improving the coordination of the globally dispersed elements of the system of platforms. The authors note that the resultant database should form a basis for improving the measurements per se, eliminating redundant sensors, and revealing geographic areas that are in need of increased coverage. OOS is exploring advanced data communications techniques for making this database available to the scientific community. The ocean platform database is described, and inventory results are discussed. Future directions in this area are considered