150 EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY 



Data centres, exchange of data and publications connected with Intergovernmental 

 Oceanographic Commission activities 



Document NS/IOC/l-7 served as a basis for discussion at the plenary meeting. However, 

 the discussion took place mainly in Working Group No. Ill and in the ad hoc group under 

 the chairmanship of the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. 

 B6hnecke. The importance of data exchange was stressed, not only in connexion with 

 co-operative international programmes, but also for the declared national and regional 

 programmes of international interest. 



It was recognized that immediate exchange of oceanographic data in accordance with 

 the Data Centre's Manual of the International Geophysical Year should be started for 

 such programmes commencing from 1 January 1960. Ways and means of exchange of 

 bathymetric data were also discussed at length. The problem of publishing a new 

 General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans was raised several times and the opinion was 

 expressed that Unesco might assist financially in this matter. However, no specific 

 recommendation was made in this connexion in view of the forthcoming International 

 Hydrographic Conference in May 1962. 



It was the general feeling that an oceanographic newsletter, which the Office of Oceano- 

 graphy of Unesco proposes to publish, should contain information concerning national 

 programmes of international interest. 



It was also suggested that Unesco should study the feasibility and practicability of the 

 creation of an international pool of equipment. 



(See resolution 9 - Extract from IGY Data Centre 

 Manual and resolution 10 - Annex V) 



Standardization and inter calibration of methods and instruments 



The importance of any work in this field was stressed many times and it was the general 

 feeling that the best way of carrying out intercalibration work would be to bring together 

 scientists and equipment aboard oceanographical vessels for joint oceanographic tests. 

 As an example, the recent Unesco- SCOR intercalibration tests at Honolulu and aboard 

 "Vityaz" and "Gascoyne" were cited. Representatives expressed the opinion that the 

 distribution of standard equipment could be put into effect through the proposed interna- 

 tional pool of equipment. It was felt that the task of planning new steps in the programme 

 of standardization and intercalibration of methods and equipment should be delegated to 

 SCOR because of the essentially scientific nature of this task. 



(See resolution 11 - Annex V) 



Item 8: International research and training vessel 



The summary report on the international research and training vessel (document 

 NS/IOC/l-4) prepared by the Office of Oceanography of Unesco, served as a basis for 

 the discussion. The majority of speakers expressed the opinion that at the moment 

 there was no vital necessity to have an international oceanographic research and train- 

 ing vessel and that the tasks which might be assigned to such a vessel could be more 

 efficiently and cheaply carried out aboard national vessels. 



Different representatives, especially the representative of Brazil, informed the 

 Commission of the possibilities offered by their countries to take on board scientific 

 or technical personnel of other countries for training. 



At the same time, the representatives of India and Viet-Nam and of one or two other 

 States, still considered the International Oceanographic Research and Training Vessel 

 both necessary and useful. 



A special drafting committee was appointed to summarize opinions. It was decided not 

 to close the issue permanently and to reserve the possibility for the IOC to return to 

 the question at some appropriaterfuture time. 



(See resolution 12 - Annex V) 



