During the winter of 2003, NOS's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) and the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) discussed how both groups could mutually benefit from the observing systems that they operate in the Gulf of Maine. GoMOOS is a national pilot program designed to bring hourly oceanographic data from the Gulf to all who need it. Its users include commercial mariners, coastal resource managers, scientists, educators, search-and-rescue teams, emergency response teams, and public health officials. CO-OPS also delivers numerous products and services to these users. GoMOOS and CO-OPS decided to collaborate on the following activities:
CO-OPS and GoMOOS continue to work on these activities. Some of these efforts will be visible to the public, such as the display of CO-OPS data on the GoMOOS website, but many will be subtle and "behind the scenes." The end result will be a large step toward a national integrated ocean observing system.