THE NAVY OCEANOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS PROGRAM 



The directive by which tasks and functions have been assigned 

 to the Oceanographer of the Navy by the Chief of Naval Oper- 

 ations describes oceanographic operations as follows: "That effort 

 to provide oceanographic data, services, and operational support 

 including hydrographic mapping, charting, and geodetic activities; 

 and the technical support of operations involving under- 

 water search and rescue, recovery, salvage, emplacements, and 

 facilities."* 



Although many Navy laboratories and scientific institutions 

 participate in operational oceanography, their role is primarily 

 in the research and development area. The oceanographic 

 operations program is predominantly a function of the U. S. Naval 

 Oceanographic Office for most areas and of the U. S. Naval 

 Weather Service Command for short-term environmental 

 forecasting. 



THE U. S. NAVAL OCEANOGRAPHIC OFFICE 



The U. S. Naval Oceanographic Office (until July 1962 known as 

 the U. S. Navy Hydrographic Office) traces its origin to 1830 

 when the Navy first undertook to centralize responsibility for the 

 care and issue of charts and navigational instruments needed by 

 its ships. Today, the mission of the Oceanographic Office includes 

 conducting hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, preparation 

 of hydrographic and other navigational charts and publications, 

 and conduct of applied oceanographic programs for the Navy 

 throughout the oceans of the world. 



The U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office is a scientific and 

 engineering organization having a complement of about 25 officers, 

 25 enlisted men and over 3000 civilian employees. With a total 

 financial budget of about $60 million, it operates a research facility, 

 a printing plant, an extensive distribution system, an instrument 

 center, and other specialized facilities. It also employs a fleet of 

 surface ships, a submarine, and several airplanes in support of 

 its mission. 



First and foremost in the Oceanographic Operations Program 

 is the physical measurement and description (the surveying and 



•■OPNAVINST 5450.165 of 26 August 1966 (CH-1 of 15 February 1967) 



