serves as a stable, manned platform or "buoy" with observation ports 

 extending to a depth of about 300 feet. 



Offshore towers have also been used for collection of oceanographic 

 data. Some, such as the Navy Electronics Laboratory tower located a 

 mile off the San Diego, California, coast, have been built specifically for 

 oceanographic research; others, such as the Air Force radar towers (Texas 

 towers), were built for other purposes but also used as observation sites 



by oceanographers. The Coast Guard is undertaking a significant and ex- 

 tensive oceanographic data collection program on its new offshore 

 towers. These towers, which replace the lightships as outer channel 

 markers to major East Coast and West Coast ports, are being equipped 

 with an impressive array of oceanographic instruments. 



Surface data, primarily temperature, have been collected by ex- 

 tremely sensitive sensors on aircraft and satellites. Frequent flights have 

 made it possible to map the meanderings of the Gulf Stream. 



£J^ 



75 



