Naval Oceanographic Office
Encyclopedia
The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), located at John C. Stennis Space Center
in south Mississippi, comprises approximately 1,000 civilian, military and contract personnel responsible for providing oceanographic products and services to all elements within the Department of Defense
.
Valued by maritime interests worldwide, NAVOCEANO acquires and analyzes global ocean and littoral data to provide specialized, operationally significant products and services for warfighters and civilian, national and international customers. Utilizing airborne, surface and subsurface platforms deployed worldwide, remote-sensing satellites and seaborne buoys, NAVOCEANO data are converted into products that are tailored to every warfighter's needs. These products and services support virtually every type of Fleet operation by providing mission essential information to the warfighter 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Still, the unanswered questions of what conditions might be encountered on a voyage or what to expect upon landfall made seafaring extremely dangerous.
The early navigators, equipped with sparse information about prevailing winds and currents, water depths, coastal landmarks or the likelihood of fog and other adverse weather conditions, needed more thorough and accurate records for safe sailing. Gradually a few commercial agencies began selling navigational charts, but the charts were often out of date, inaccurate and incomplete.
In 1830, the U.S. Navy established the Depot of Charts and Instruments
maintain a supply of navigational instruments and nautical charts for issue to naval vessels. It soon became apparent that the Depot would be unable to obtain and maintain an adequate supply of the latest data unless it undertook production of charts from its own surveys. In 1837, the first survey sponsored by the Depot and led by Lieutenant Charles Wilkes
resulted in four engraved charts published for use by the U.S. Navy.
Lieutenant Wilkes continued his surveying and gained fame as leader of the U.S. Exploring Expedition
. The expedition ranged over the eastern Atlantic to Antarctica, the coasts of both Americas, and far into the west and southwest Pacific. It began the U.S. collection of world magnetic data and contributed substantially to hydrographic, meteorological, botanical and geological knowledge of the explored regions.
During the succeeding five years, 87 similar charts were published and issued from the results of surveys by Wilkes and his officers. These individual surveys, however, were limited in scope; the Depot needed a way to gather information quickly on a worldwide basis. Naval officer Matthew Fontaine Maury
, who became known as "The Pathfinder of the Seas", supplied the answer to this dilemma.
Commander Maury, who held the position of Hydrographer
of the Navy from 1842-1861, is credited with founding the science of oceanography. His system for collecting and using oceanographic data revolutionized navigation of the seas. Maury assumed command of the Navy's Depot of Charts and Instruments in 1842. Possessing an active, scientific mind, he immediately recognized possibilities for expanding the services of the Depot. He suggested that, if all shipmasters would submit reports of their experiences to a central agency, the data could be digested, compiled and published for the benefit of all. This idea became the basic formula of hydrographic offices throughout the world, making Maury's contributions a milestone in naval oceanography.
Within five years, 26 million reports poured into the Depot, which originally had been intended only as a storehouse of charts and instruments. In 1854, the agency was given the official name of The U.S. Naval Observatory and Hydrographical Office. In 1866, an Act of Congress separated the two functions, establishing the Hydrographic Office as a distinct activity. By this time the Office's mission had expanded to include "the carrying out of surveys, the collection of information and the printing of every kind of nautical chart or publication."
The Office continued to grow throughout the nineteenth century.
By the turn of the century, pleasure cruises had become a popular form of vacationing, and suddenly the attention of the world was drawn to a new danger to navigation - ice. The collision of the Titanic with an iceberg in 1912 prompted the Hydrographic Office to urge that an ice patrol
be established to document sea-ice hazards to prevent such disasters. This was the beginning today's sophisticated, high-tech methods of surveying, measuring and recording ice thickness, ice-ridge profiles and other characteristics to monitor ocean-ice conditions above and below the surface.
Because features and conditions of the world's oceans are constantly changing, surveying, charting and mapping must be continuous processes. Experiences during World War I showed the need for greater accuracy for oceanographic data. By 1922, responding to these needs, the Navy had developed the first practical sonic sounding machine, making it possible to surpass all previous efforts in deep-sea sounding and bathymetric charting. Aerial photography was used for the first time that year.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor
, the demands for charts increased to about 40 times the normal pre-war rate. The Hydrographic Office was moved to more adequate facilities at Suitland, Maryland
, about six miles from the nation's Capitol building, and was placed under the cognizance of the Chief of Naval Operations
to focus activities directly to programs of national security. Additional survey vessels were obtained, each equipped to conduct surveys and to produce printed charts aboard ship in a minimum of time to keep up with fleet advances across the Pacific. At the peak of World War II, 43 million charts were printed and issued in one year.
The Hydrographic Office was redesignated the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) in 1962, and in 1976 the Office was relocated to the National Space Technology Laboratory (NSTL), which is now known as the John C. Stennis Space Center, in south Mississippi.
As we look toward the future, NAVOCEANO prepares to respond to an ever-changing world. With the end of the Cold War and the beginning of the war on terrorism, the Navy's focus has shifted from deep-water to coastal regions. In response to this new focus, NAVOCEANO has tailored its products to meet these requirements and is accomplishing the mission of maximizing America's Seapower with smart collection, focused analysis and responsive delivery.
in Suitland, Maryland, and the Fleet Survey Team
at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.
NAVOCEANO is the largest subordinate command under the Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, which is also located at Stennis Space Center.
. Perhaps the hardest working ships in the Navy, the oceanographic survey ships have no homeport and are forward-deployed, surveying the ocean 365 days every year. To avoid interrupting continuous operations, oceanographers from NAVOCEANO relieve their fellow surveyors by flying to locations around the world to meet the ship.
The T-AGS 60 class ships were specifically designed and constructed to provide multipurpose oceanographic capabilities in coastal and deep-ocean areas for NAVOCEANO.
On board, surveyors are equipped to conduct physical, chemical and biological oceanographic operations; multidisciplinary environmental investigations; ocean engineering and marine acoustics; marine geology and geophysics; and bathymetric, gravimetric and magnetometric surveying.
Typical missions of the 329 feet (100.3 m) T-AGS 60 vessels may include oceanographic sampling and data collection of surface water, mid-water and ocean floor parameters; the launch and recovery of small boats known as hydrographic survey launches (HSLs); the launching, recovering and towing of scientific packages (both tethered and autonomous) including the handling, monitoring and servicing of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs); shipboard oceanographic data processing and sample analysis; and precise navigation, trackline maneuvering and station-keeping to support deep-ocean and coastal surveys.
John C. Stennis Space Center
The John C. Stennis Space Center , located in Hancock County, Mississippi, at the Mississippi-Louisiana border, is NASA's largest rocket engine test facility.- History :...
in south Mississippi, comprises approximately 1,000 civilian, military and contract personnel responsible for providing oceanographic products and services to all elements within the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
.
Valued by maritime interests worldwide, NAVOCEANO acquires and analyzes global ocean and littoral data to provide specialized, operationally significant products and services for warfighters and civilian, national and international customers. Utilizing airborne, surface and subsurface platforms deployed worldwide, remote-sensing satellites and seaborne buoys, NAVOCEANO data are converted into products that are tailored to every warfighter's needs. These products and services support virtually every type of Fleet operation by providing mission essential information to the warfighter 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
History
Centuries ago, explorers braved the open seas with only the stars and their faith to guide them. Soon, these explorers and their benefactors realized the great importance of the world's oceans, measuring a nation's wealth by its commercial shipping, and its strength by the size of its navy.Still, the unanswered questions of what conditions might be encountered on a voyage or what to expect upon landfall made seafaring extremely dangerous.
The early navigators, equipped with sparse information about prevailing winds and currents, water depths, coastal landmarks or the likelihood of fog and other adverse weather conditions, needed more thorough and accurate records for safe sailing. Gradually a few commercial agencies began selling navigational charts, but the charts were often out of date, inaccurate and incomplete.
In 1830, the U.S. Navy established the Depot of Charts and Instruments
United States Naval Observatory
The United States Naval Observatory is one of the oldest scientific agencies in the United States, with a primary mission to produce Positioning, Navigation, and Timing for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Department of Defense...
maintain a supply of navigational instruments and nautical charts for issue to naval vessels. It soon became apparent that the Depot would be unable to obtain and maintain an adequate supply of the latest data unless it undertook production of charts from its own surveys. In 1837, the first survey sponsored by the Depot and led by Lieutenant Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer and explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 and commanded the ship in the Trent Affair during the American Civil War...
resulted in four engraved charts published for use by the U.S. Navy.
Lieutenant Wilkes continued his surveying and gained fame as leader of the U.S. Exploring Expedition
United States Exploring Expedition
The United States Exploring Expedition was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States from 1838 to 1842. The original appointed commanding officer was Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones. The voyage was authorized by Congress in...
. The expedition ranged over the eastern Atlantic to Antarctica, the coasts of both Americas, and far into the west and southwest Pacific. It began the U.S. collection of world magnetic data and contributed substantially to hydrographic, meteorological, botanical and geological knowledge of the explored regions.
During the succeeding five years, 87 similar charts were published and issued from the results of surveys by Wilkes and his officers. These individual surveys, however, were limited in scope; the Depot needed a way to gather information quickly on a worldwide basis. Naval officer Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury , United States Navy was an American astronomer, historian, oceanographer, meteorologist, cartographer, author, geologist, and educator....
, who became known as "The Pathfinder of the Seas", supplied the answer to this dilemma.
Commander Maury, who held the position of Hydrographer
Hydrography
Hydrography is the measurement of the depths, the tides and currents of a body of water and establishment of the sea, river or lake bed topography and morphology. Normally and historically for the purpose of charting a body of water for the safe navigation of shipping...
of the Navy from 1842-1861, is credited with founding the science of oceanography. His system for collecting and using oceanographic data revolutionized navigation of the seas. Maury assumed command of the Navy's Depot of Charts and Instruments in 1842. Possessing an active, scientific mind, he immediately recognized possibilities for expanding the services of the Depot. He suggested that, if all shipmasters would submit reports of their experiences to a central agency, the data could be digested, compiled and published for the benefit of all. This idea became the basic formula of hydrographic offices throughout the world, making Maury's contributions a milestone in naval oceanography.
Within five years, 26 million reports poured into the Depot, which originally had been intended only as a storehouse of charts and instruments. In 1854, the agency was given the official name of The U.S. Naval Observatory and Hydrographical Office. In 1866, an Act of Congress separated the two functions, establishing the Hydrographic Office as a distinct activity. By this time the Office's mission had expanded to include "the carrying out of surveys, the collection of information and the printing of every kind of nautical chart or publication."
The Office continued to grow throughout the nineteenth century.
By the turn of the century, pleasure cruises had become a popular form of vacationing, and suddenly the attention of the world was drawn to a new danger to navigation - ice. The collision of the Titanic with an iceberg in 1912 prompted the Hydrographic Office to urge that an ice patrol
International Ice Patrol
The International Ice Patrol is an organization with the purpose of monitoring the presence of icebergs in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans and reporting their movements for safety purposes. It is operated by United States Coast Guard but is funded by the 13 nations interested in trans-Atlantic...
be established to document sea-ice hazards to prevent such disasters. This was the beginning today's sophisticated, high-tech methods of surveying, measuring and recording ice thickness, ice-ridge profiles and other characteristics to monitor ocean-ice conditions above and below the surface.
Because features and conditions of the world's oceans are constantly changing, surveying, charting and mapping must be continuous processes. Experiences during World War I showed the need for greater accuracy for oceanographic data. By 1922, responding to these needs, the Navy had developed the first practical sonic sounding machine, making it possible to surpass all previous efforts in deep-sea sounding and bathymetric charting. Aerial photography was used for the first time that year.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, the demands for charts increased to about 40 times the normal pre-war rate. The Hydrographic Office was moved to more adequate facilities at Suitland, Maryland
Suitland-Silver Hill, Maryland
Suitland-Silver Hill is a census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The census area include separate unincorporated communities of Silver Hill and Suitland, and other smaller communities. The population was 33,515 at the 2000 census...
, about six miles from the nation's Capitol building, and was placed under the cognizance of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
to focus activities directly to programs of national security. Additional survey vessels were obtained, each equipped to conduct surveys and to produce printed charts aboard ship in a minimum of time to keep up with fleet advances across the Pacific. At the peak of World War II, 43 million charts were printed and issued in one year.
The Hydrographic Office was redesignated the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) in 1962, and in 1976 the Office was relocated to the National Space Technology Laboratory (NSTL), which is now known as the John C. Stennis Space Center, in south Mississippi.
As we look toward the future, NAVOCEANO prepares to respond to an ever-changing world. With the end of the Cold War and the beginning of the war on terrorism, the Navy's focus has shifted from deep-water to coastal regions. In response to this new focus, NAVOCEANO has tailored its products to meet these requirements and is accomplishing the mission of maximizing America's Seapower with smart collection, focused analysis and responsive delivery.
Organization
NAVOCEANO oversees the Naval Ice CenterNaval Ice Center
Located in Suitland-Silver Hill, Maryland, the Naval Ice Center is a subordinate command of the Naval Oceanographic Office and is also a part of the National Ice Center....
in Suitland, Maryland, and the Fleet Survey Team
Fleet Survey Team
Composed of approximately 65 military and civilian members, Fleet Survey Team is collocated with theNaval Oceanographic Office and Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, at StennisSpace Center, MS....
at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.
NAVOCEANO is the largest subordinate command under the Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, which is also located at Stennis Space Center.
Ships
NAVOCEANO's seven unique oceanographic ships are operated by the Military Sealift CommandMilitary Sealift Command
The Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
. Perhaps the hardest working ships in the Navy, the oceanographic survey ships have no homeport and are forward-deployed, surveying the ocean 365 days every year. To avoid interrupting continuous operations, oceanographers from NAVOCEANO relieve their fellow surveyors by flying to locations around the world to meet the ship.
T-AGS 60 Class
NAVOCEANO has operational control of six T-AGS 60 class ships: , , , , and .The T-AGS 60 class ships were specifically designed and constructed to provide multipurpose oceanographic capabilities in coastal and deep-ocean areas for NAVOCEANO.
On board, surveyors are equipped to conduct physical, chemical and biological oceanographic operations; multidisciplinary environmental investigations; ocean engineering and marine acoustics; marine geology and geophysics; and bathymetric, gravimetric and magnetometric surveying.
Typical missions of the 329 feet (100.3 m) T-AGS 60 vessels may include oceanographic sampling and data collection of surface water, mid-water and ocean floor parameters; the launch and recovery of small boats known as hydrographic survey launches (HSLs); the launching, recovering and towing of scientific packages (both tethered and autonomous) including the handling, monitoring and servicing of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs); shipboard oceanographic data processing and sample analysis; and precise navigation, trackline maneuvering and station-keeping to support deep-ocean and coastal surveys.