effect does thermocline depth itself have upon the surface current 

 speeds above the thermocline? 

 8. APPLICATIONS 



The surface current program was initiated primarily to determine 

 divergence and convergence and the accompanying up and down 

 movement of thermocline depth. Furthermore, the results will be 

 used for forecasting the advective part of sea surface temperature 

 changes . 



Over large parts of the oceans the currents have little direct 

 effect on navigation. In some areas, however, they should be 

 taken into consideration in Optimum Ship Routing. Charts of this 

 type should also prove useful in the prediction of ice movement 

 and in any rescue operations. 



It is planned to make these computations on a daily synoptic 

 schedule (probably at 05 and 18 GMT) , and they could be trans- 

 mitted from Fleet \A/eather Centrals in either facsimile or special 

 message format if such is desired. Groups such as the Institute 

 of Navigation may determine that there are applications in navigation 

 which could make use of these products. 



U 



