528 
network for receipt of oceanographic data from 
Arctic areas. It has been suggested that the 
University of Alaska might be the logical place 
to initiate this service. 
Ocean Surveys. With the acceleration of 
oceanographic survey programs in the next ten 
years, rapid communication of oceanographic 
data will be essential to the success of a national 
program in oceanography. A transmitting and 
receiving capability to be established at NODC 
and aboard ships will eliminate routine process- 
ing of raw data aboard ships. Raw data can be 
transmitted to the NODC and by the use of com- 
puters it will be possible to transmit fully 
processed data back to the ships for analysis 
and planning future operations. Scientists 
aboard ships will no longer be in doubt as to 
whether they have obtained valid data, whether 
their sampling has been sufficient, and whether 
additional sampling will be required in thearea. 
With present techniques aboard ships, it is vir- 
tually impossible to have raw data reduced to 
meaningful information before leaving the sta- 
tion or area. 
As in the past, the NODC will assist in pre- 
survey planning through data analyses, data 
summaries for particular areas, the production 
of atlases, etc. 
Instrumentation. The NODC will evaluate 
the data output of existing instruments to pro- 
vide advice on new instrumentation, and to assist 
in choosing instrumentation to be purchased, 
through evaluating the precision of a given in- 
strument, quality of data obtained from the in- 
strument, and the requirements to be placed on 
the data. The NODC also will advise on, and 
develop methods for, recording, reducing, and 
storing data from present and future instrumen- 
tation to obtain maximum use of the output from 
new instruments. 
New Data Areas. In FY 1964, the NODC 
plans to develop a capability for processing 
radiation and ice data from space satellites. 
The processing of oceanographic data from 
satellites will be done with the cooperation of 
27 
NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM—1965 
both the National Aeronautics and Space Agency 
and the Weather Bureau. 
At the present time, both the Naval Oceano- 
graphic Office and the Coast and Geodetic Sur- 
vey have amassed a considerable backlog of 
bathymetric data. With retrieval systems cur- 
rently under development the NODC will have 
acquired a capability for handling these data 
by the end of FY 1964. At that time, the reduc- 
tion of this backlog may be initiated by contract 
with industry. 
IV. CONCLUSION 
The National Oceanographic Program for 
Fiscal Year 1964 provides for the further ad- 
vancement of the Nation's effort in the marine 
sciences. The experience of the past two years 
has been heavily drawn upon for guidance in the 
most productive use of the funding outlined 
herein. 
The ICO is nearing publication of its Long 
Range National Program, and the FY 1964 pro- 
gram has been prepared within the framework 
of this long range planning, as will future annual 
programs. 
Within the functional areas of interest, the 
ICO will have completed its study of the short- 
age of oceanographic manpower and will have 
outlined the problem and commenced the steps 
to be taken in its solution. The 1963 edition of 
the successful "College Curricula in Oceanog- 
raphy" is also expected to prove helpful in this 
regard. 
Surveys will receive special attention with 
promulgation of the ''Ocean Survey Plan.'"' The 
ICO is hopeful that dissemination of these types 
of information will aid communications in the 
marine sciences and provide better guidance 
for planning and conduct of projects. It is in 
this manner that we believe we can be most 
helpful in achieving the understanding of the 
oceans so necessary for enhancement of the 
national welfare. 
