BCF Fisheiy Oceanography Center's forecasting service completed its 

 ninth consecutive year of providing monthly and 15-day oceanographic 

 charts of environmental conditions off the west coast of the United States. 



Correlation of sea surface temperature gradients with subsurface thermal 

 structure was undertaken by ESSA. This method has great potential value 

 in the use of satellite observations of sea surface temperatures to predict 

 subsurface thermal structures. 



In 1969, the Navy extended and improved its capability in both general 

 and specialized environmental forecasts. Many numerical models of nature 

 were completed for the prediction of surface waves, ice movement, air-sea 

 interactions, and acoustic propagation phenomena and sonar range fore- 

 casts. Culminating years of research, these models appear to be sufficiently 

 accurate for application to practical problems, although additional vali- 

 dation is required. A numerical, computerized model was also developed 

 for prediction of sea and swell both for coastal waters and for semi-enclosed 

 seas. A computer-based prediction model which relates environmental data 

 to the growth and decay of sea ice, was tested for reliability. Perhaps of 

 greatest significance, a system was established for evaluation of numerical 

 oceanographic forecasts by naval units to provide the basis for pragmatic 

 refinement of models. 



Data were gathered by the Navy to test a model for the generation and 

 propagation of internal waves, which appear to be major contributors to 

 motion in the deep ocean. 



Developing Buoy Technology 



A large part of the construction and operational costs of seagoing plat- 

 forms is directly related to the provisions of accommodations for operators. 

 Accordingly, the desirability of utilizing automatic sensing, recording and 

 telemetering equipment whenever feasible, thus avoiding expensive life- 

 support systems, is evident. While buoys and other unmanned platforms 

 cannot replace manned platforms in all situations, it is clear that they have 

 a role in the data collection program which will increase as our technology 

 for automated sensing improves. 



The Coast Guard, as lead agency in development of data buoy technology 

 and determination of system requirements, worked in close collaboration 

 with other agencies on advanced system development during 1969. Efforts 

 in this program covered preparation of a long-range development plan; 

 initial engineering for experimental test platforms; design requirements for 

 prototype buoys; analysis and evaluation of sensors; and mission and benefit 

 analyses. The advanced development phase, as now planned, contemplates 

 initial deployment of experimental buoys in 1971, testing of prototype low- 

 capability buoys in 1972, and evaluation of improved state-of-the-art high- 

 capability buoys in 1973. Some noteworthy events during the past year 

 included — 



( 1 ) Selection and direction of systems engineering and management 

 support efforts to develop a long-range program plan; 



(2) Systems planning and budgetary justification, including a tenta- 

 tive performance requirement, a preliminary concept formulation sum- 



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