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NOAA launched a major initiative to link ocean observation data from a variety of federal and non-federal sources. The project is designed to make ocean temperature, salinity, water level, current, wind and wave data gathered by NOAA and other organizations easier to access and use. "NOAA is proud to lead this nation- al effort to link ocean observations in an easy-to-use, standard format that provides accurate and timely informa- tion so people can make informed business and recreational decisions," said Zdenka Willis, director of the NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing Program. "NOAA and our partner organizations will use the integrated data to improve forecasts of severe weather and natural hazards, enhance pollution tracking models, and create a more complete picture of our ocean planet." NOAA will begin the effort by link- ing online databases maintained by the NOAA National Data Buoy Center, NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, and the NOAA CoastWatch Program using Web services and standards developed by Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), Inc. "We are pleased to support NOAA in its effort to improve access, integration and use of important ocean observa- tions collected and managed by many organizations," said OGC President and CEO Mark Reichardt. "The use of interoperable standards to study the ocean ecosystem will help to yield a range of environmental, social and economic benefits." OGC is comprised of more than 350 companies, government agencies, research organizations, and universities participating in a process to develop interoperable web-based specifications and make them publicly available. NOAA Begins Ocean Data Integration Effort news Serpent Project Up for EU Award The SERPENT Project, (Scientific & Environmental ROV Partnership using Existing Industrial Technology) of which, Subsea 7 is a founding part- ner, has been nominated as one of only a handful of finalists at this year's pres- tigious EU European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE) from a selection of 86 UK entries. The project makes use of camera equipped Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) owned and operated by Industry Partners in connection with offshore oil and gas engineering and intervention operations. Within the industry, it is recognized that there are periods of standby time during opera- tional activity, it is during this time- frame that ROVs are encouraged to assess the marine life on and around the deep-water sites allowing unique stills and spectacular video footage to be taken, collated and passed onto the scientific community for their review and interpretation in order to enable a greater understanding of the marine environment. These impressive images are also used to involve local communities working on the projects including being used for educational purposes with local school children. Keith Dewar, Senior Environmental Advisor at Subsea 7, comments: "We are very pleased about being nominat- ed as finalists in this prestigious award MTR#4 (1-16).qxd 5/14/2008 9:21 AM Page 12
