664 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM—1965 
PRODUCTION WORK 
BATHYTHERMOGRAPH DATA 
ANALOG PRODUCTION 
During Fiscal Year 1963, the NODC received 61,714 bathythermograph (BT) observations. 
It is estimated that approximately 20% of these BT's were recieved from ships involved in survey 
operations. 
A total of 12,184 BT observations were processed and archived; 48,736 ozalid analog copies 
of these data were distributed to the contributors and to others having a standing requirement. 
Emphasis was placed on the processing of survey and exchange type data primarily because more 
usable BT data could be archived per man-hour and because a greater percentage of these observa- 
tions are taken in ‘‘sparse data lanes.” 
Processing procedures for BT data were evaluated and revamped in order to increase the 
processing rate without an undue sacrifice of quality. Indications are that an average of approxi- 
mately 3,000-4,000 BT observations can be processed (as analog cards) monthly using the revised 
methods during the first quarter of FY-64. 
The agreements that the NODC has with Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) and 
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) for the exchange of analog BT data continues. 
However, negotiations were started with SIO to receive their BT data in a digitized format rather 
than in the conventional analog form. It is planned to approach WHOI with a similar proposal. 
DIGITIZATION 
BT data, as currently archived at the NODC, are at best ‘‘unsatisfactory"’ from the standpoint 
of usability. These data must be digitized according to the common need of all for efficient utilization 
by the oceanographic community. Impetus (including funds) for initiating the ‘‘standard”’ digitization 
of BT data was provided by the Navy Electronics Laboratory (NEL); approximately 40,000 digitized 
BT observations were requested for an area in the Pacific Ocean. A total of 8,204 was completed; 
15,242 additional observations were in different phases of production at the close of the fiscal year. 
During FY-63, five unsolicited proposals were received for an automated reader—digitization 
system; it is anticipated that eight others will be received during July and August 1963. Full imple- 
mentation of automated BT processing direct from the slide is planned for Fiscal Year 1964. 
OCEANOGRAPHIC STATION DATA 
Oceanographic station data were pfocessed at an average rate of about 1,600 stations per 
month. The production for Fiscal Year 1963 totaled about 20,000 stations. (Of these 8,000 were 
coded and keypunched under contract with the Sanyo Surveying Company of Japan, but computed 
and edited by the NODC.) The NODC Publication M-2, ‘Processing Physical and Chemical Data 
from Oceanographic Stations,"’ and new coding forms were used by about 15 domestic and foreign 
contributors in submitting about 1,500 stations to the NODC for processing; it is hoped that the 
number of contributors using the new coding forms will increase from about 7% in FY-63 to 50% 
during FY-64. 
The archives of ocean station data now totals about 235,000 stations; most of the station 
data added to the archives were from the Pacific, Indian, and South Atlantic Oceans. Additionally, 
approximately 25,000 stations for these same oceans were in various phases of completion at the 
end of the fiscal year. : 
