planned platforms will be consolidated. After a cost effectiveness 

 analysis, a step-by-step plan for initial implementation of oceano- 

 graphic-meteorological data gathering buoy systems will be prepared, 

 together with associated research, development, and implementation 

 plans. 



Improving Prediction — New Areas of Emphasis 



As part of an overall effort to improve environmental prediction, 

 the Council has recommended that the following projects receive 

 priority attention : 



1. Initiation of a design study to determine which system, and 

 which combination of marine sensors, platforms, and communication 

 links, will best serve the needs of the Nation for long-range and relia- 

 ble environmental predictions. 



2. Improvement in marine weather service for : 



— more rational, economical and safe rerouting of marine transport; 



— ^improved tracking and path prediction of severe storms and hurri- 

 canes for earlier and improved warnings to fishermen and Con- 

 tinental Shelf resource developers. 



3. Improvement of ocean, surf and nearshore sea state predictions 

 so that : 



— sea and storm caused destruction of life and property in coastal 

 communities can be reduced ; 



— the design and maintenance of offshore oil and gas rigs, harbors, 

 sea walls, shoreline habitation developments, and other struc- 

 tures can be effected, with maximum economy and safety. 



4. Implementation of improved Tsunami Warning Service so that : 

 — longer range warnings can be given to ships or communities that 



may be threatened ; 

 — a further understanding may be gained of the effects of seismic 

 disturbances on the oceans, for possible long-range prediction of 

 such disturbances. 



5. Increased emphasis on air-sea interaction research studies and 

 ocean circulation dynamics which will result in: 



— the initiation during the next few years of the first of a series of 

 increasingly comprehensive field programs of measurement and 

 observation ; 



— increased use of computers for establishing more advanced models 

 of ocean circulations and their interaction with the atmosphere; 



— development of new instrumentation and techniques. 



The above priority items are important, but they are not the only 

 elements of this program. While much of this program is centered 



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