2S2 



programs is and will be devoted to measuring 

 the characteristics of the marine environ- 

 ment. Tlie NODC and the SOSC establish 

 criteria for data formats and thus in some 

 cases influence collection and processing 

 techniques, but they do not influence instru- 

 ment design or operational procedures neces- 

 sary to produce truly reliable and compara- 

 ble data. 



There is no national or international capa- 

 bility to define in a common language the de- 

 sirable characteristics of an oceanographic 

 instrument, to test and calibrate an instru- 

 ment to assure that the operational measure- 

 ments will be within acceptable tolerances, 

 nor to develop laboratoi-y tests properly 

 simulating ocean use conditions. 



Standard instnunents are not desired; in 

 fact, the jJrocess of measuring environmental 

 characteristics is changing so rapidly that 

 any attempt to standardize design would in- 

 hibit teclinological progress. What is needed 

 is the definition of standards against which 

 instruments can be calibrated, the definition 

 of performance and test criteria, and the 

 development of field and laboratory facilities 

 and techniques to test instruments against 

 these standards. 



Several instrument manufacturing and 

 user groups have attempted to perfonn many 

 of the functions described above, and al- 

 though their efi^orts have been important first 

 steps, the size of the task and its truly nation- 

 al and international character now are be- 

 coming apparent. 



The National Bureau of Standards has not 

 yet undertaken the development of reference 

 standards or test procedures for marine in- 

 struments, although some of these fimctions 

 appear to be properly within their cogni- 

 zance. But the Bureau is showing an increas- 

 ing awareness of the problem, and the 

 Commission urges it to assist in the difficult 

 task ahead. 



