OCEANOGRAPHY AND THE MARINER 



observation points for detailed information at given locations. A tube- 

 shaped floating instrument platform (FLIP) is a novel vessel con- 

 taining a free-floating manned laboratory for the measurement of 

 parameters at various locations as it drifts with the currents. Like 

 the rocket which is the basic vehicle for space study, research ships 

 and platforms are the basic vehicles of the oceanographer. Combina- 

 tions of ships, aircraft, and towers at predetermined locations and in 

 sufficient numbers facilitate temporal as well as spatial observations 

 of the ocean environs. 



In the future, we must strive to maintain constant rates of data 

 acquisition and instrument improvement. Complete gravity, 

 magnetic, current, physical property, biologic, and geologic surveys 

 will greatly enhance our knowledge and insure safety of surface and 

 undersea precision navigation. 



The importance of domestic and international cooperation can- 

 not be overstressed. Though duplication of basic research is not 



particularly harmful, much of the unnecessary duplication in basic 

 and applied research can be avoided by fostering good international 

 relations. We must continue to collect and disseminate information 

 gained in future oceanographic research through various agencies for 

 application and use in underdeveloped areas of the world . 



One of the ultimate goals of the Oceanographic Office is to 

 provide worldwide oceanographic coverage comparable to that al- 

 ready provided by charts, Sailing Directions, and other navigation 

 aids. To this end, it encourages and will assist other U.S. agencies 

 in collecting additional data and in compiling all available infor- 

 mation including that obtained through liaison and exchange with 

 foreign sources. 



It has long been hoped that the Oceanographic Office will eventu- 

 ally serve the same purpose for oceanography as it now does for 

 hydrography, as the Weather Bureau does for meteorology, and as 

 NASA does in the space program. 



