FOREWORD 



The continuing necessity for naval and maritime operations throughout the world makes it 

 increasingly important that every effort be made to collect oceanographic and related information 

 of the various oceanic areas. 



During recent years there has been an increasing demand for an instruction manual which 

 would provide standard instructions for carrying out basic oceanographic observations. It is 

 hoped that H. O. Pub. No. 607, Instruction Manual for Oceanographic Observations, will fill these 

 requirements and will provide the oceanographic observer with a practical guide for use at sea. 



Oceanographic surveys and expeditions are conducted by many Government agencies and 

 private institutions. While the log sheets and forms used for recording the data may differ, the 

 objective is the same. The methods, techniques, instruments, log sheets, and tables described in 

 the following pages are those used at sea by oceanographers of the U. S. Navy Hydrographic 

 Office. No claim is made for originality, nor is it proposed that these methods become universal. 

 It is intended to add to this manual, from time to time, other methods and techniques as they are 

 proven and to modify existing ones when improvements warrant. 



Comments and suggestions concerning the use of this manual are invited. 



J. B. Cochran, 

 Captain, U. S. Navy, 



Hydrographer. 



H. O. 607 



