Systems Development Program of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, Environmental Science Services Administration

Rapid advances in technologies useful to the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS), larger responsibilities within the new organizational pattern of the Environmental Science Services Administration, and the anticipated growth of responsibilities in oceanography call for vigorous improvement of the technological systems of C&GS to meet future needs. A study performed in 1966 revealed many opportunities for C&GS systems improvement and recommended the establishment of this service. Priorities have been established among the many important requirements. These requirements have been matched against available resources. The result has been an active program that features automation of information handling, improved nautical charting data acquisition systems, and the development of the Coast Survey´s Marine Observations System (COSMOS). This paper summarizes the planned developments in these three areas.