NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce. It focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere. Established in 1970, NOAA plays a key role in understanding and managing the environment and natural resources.
Here are some of NOAA's primary functions and areas of responsibility:
Weather Forecasting and Warnings: NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather forecasts, warnings for severe weather, and other weather-related information to ensure the safety of the public and the protection of property.
Climate Research: NOAA conducts research on climate trends and changes. This includes monitoring atmospheric conditions, studying long-term climate patterns, and providing data that can be used to make predictions about future climate conditions.
Marine and Coastal Resource Management: NOAA manages marine fisheries, protects marine habitats, and works to sustain populations of various marine species. The organization is involved in the conservation and management of marine and coastal ecosystems.
Ocean Exploration: NOAA is involved in exploring the world's oceans, mapping the seafloor, and discovering marine life and underwater geological formations. This contributes to our understanding of oceanic processes and marine biodiversity.
Environmental Monitoring: NOAA operates a network of satellites and observation systems to monitor environmental conditions on Earth. This network provides critical data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and the study of natural phenomena.
Research and Education: NOAA conducts and supports research to enhance our understanding of environmental issues. It also offers educational programs and resources to promote environmental literacy and encourage careers in science and technology.
Emergency Response: NOAA provides essential data and services during natural disasters and emergencies such as hurricanes, tsunamis, and oil spills, offering guidance and support for response and recovery efforts.
NOAA's work is critical for disaster preparedness, environmental conservation, and scientific research, influencing a wide range of sectors including agriculture, transportation, commerce, and public health.
NOAA's headquarters is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, but it has numerous laboratories, research facilities, and operational centers across the United States and its territories. NOAA partners with other government agencies, international organizations, and private sector entities to achieve its mission and objectives.
government
- Phone: 206.553.5749
- Web: www.noaa.gov
- Fax: 206.553.4340
Locations
NOAA News
Arctic Nautical Charts: NOAA Plans Updates
Less sea ice and more ship traffic means new charts needed for safety. NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey has issued an updated Arctic Nautical Charting Plan , as a major effort to improve inadequate chart coverage for Arctic areas experiencing increasing vessel traffic due to ice diminishment. NOAA plans to create 14 new charts to complement the existing chart coverage. For example, seven of the charts…
MSI to Train NOAA Officers
Maritime Simulation Institute to Provide Professional Maritime Training to NOAA Officers; Instruction to Include Critical Simulator Experience in Shiphandling at Institute Headquarters.
NOAA & US Power Squadrons Sign Agreement
NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey & US Power Squadrons sign a Memorandum of Agreement to improve cooperative charting program. Rear Adm. Gerd Glang, director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, recently sat down with John Alter, chief commander of the U.S. Power Squadrons (USPS) to sign up to a collaboration that began fifty years ago. The USPS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to safe boating through instruction in seamanship, navigation, and related subjects.
NOAA Satellites Aid in 263 Rescues in 2012
The same NOAA weather and climate satellites that accurately tracked Hurricane Sandy’s path in October also played a key role in rescuing 263 people in 111 emergencies in the United States and surrounding waters in 2012. Since NOAA’s seven operational satellites circle the globe or sit above the United States, they also carry instruments to detect distress signals from emergency beacons carried by downed pilots, shipwrecked boaters and stranded hikers.
NOAA and U.S. Power Squadrons Renew Program
This week, NOAA and the U.S. Power Squadrons, a non-profit organization dedicated to safe boating, will renew a 50-year commitment to a cooperative charting program…
NOAA Panel to Discuss GOM Maritime Issues
NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel will meet Nov. 27-29 in New Orleans to discuss hydrographic surveying, nautical charting, tides and current measurements, as well as geodetic and geospatial measurements for the Gulf of Mexico region. The three-day meeting is open to the public, and public comment periods are scheduled in the afternoons. The panel will hear from representatives of the regional maritime community…
NOAA Ship Speed Restrictions Flouted off US E. Coast
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are increasing their vigilance to protect the seasonal whale calving grounds. Despite NOAA advertising the speed restrictions it seems vessels are continuing to flout the speed limitation. Vessels in these areas are continually seen to be breaking these speed restrictions, in particular in the Delaware Bay entrance area are therefore being fined by NOAA. Fines levied by NOAA amount to $5,750 per incident.
NOAA Ship 'Thomas Jefferson' Returns
The NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson wraps up an exceptionally eventful field season. After 193 days away from home, the hydrographic survey vessel completed 14, 768.9 linear nautical miles of survey that covered 352 square nautical miles of area in Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound. Due to this work, 38 dangers to navigation (DTONs) were issued, protecting maritime traffic in the area. Additionally…
NOAA Prepares Hurricane 'Sandy' Maritime Response
Hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the coast between Chincoteague Virginia and Chatham Massachusetts. As Hurricane 'Sandy' heads north along the Atlantic coast, NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey is deep into preparations for maritime rapid response. Two objectives stand out: move navigation response personnel and assets into position to move quickly once SANDY moves out; and batten down survey vessels, to protect them from storm damage.
APA & NOAA Cooperate to Keep Charts Current
NOAA and American Pilots’ Association (APA) sign Memorandum of Agreement to advance safe navigation in coastal waters. Dr. Kathryn Sullivan , NOAA Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation & Prediction, signs an agreement that recognizes the longstanding working relationship between marine pilots and NOAA’s navigational services. Coast Survey has a long-term working relationship with the American Pilots’ Association…
NOAA Seafloor Mapping Project Delivers Diverse Data
NOAA ship 'Thomas Jefferson' mapping Long Island Sound seafloor this summer contributes to a multi-level data gathering collaboration. In addition to updating NOAA’s nautical charts, ongoing collaborations in Long Island Sound will create products that depict physical, geological, ecological, geomorphological, and biological conditions and processes – all to balance the development of new ocean uses while protecting and restoring essential habitats.
Krill Installations on NOAA Vessels Complete
Krill Systems Inc., a provider in advanced Vessel Fuel Measurement and Monitoring Systems (VFMMS), is pleased to announce successful installation and sea trial of…
NOAA Commissions Survey Ship
NOAA commissions high-tech coastal mapping 'Ferdinand R. Hassler' in Norfolk, Va. The new ship’s primary mission will be to detect and monitor changes to the sea floor. Data collected by the ship will be used to update nautical charts, detect potential hazards to navigation, and enhance our understanding of the ever-changing marine environment. “With the growth in the size of commercial vessels and the importance of waterborne commerce to our economic security…
NOAA to Hold Public Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska
NOAA's Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) is holding a Public meeting, May 22-24, 2012, Anchorage, Alaska. Navigation areas of focus for this public meeting…
Nautical Charts – NOAA Testing QR Code Effectiveness
OceanGrafix, the exclusive provider of NOAA print-on-demand (POD) nautical charts for U.S. waters, announce that QR codes are now available on eight NOAA charts for the Tampa Bay, Fla., area.
NOAA Honors Lost Crew of USS Monitor
Recreates faces of two sailors found in ill-fated ship’s gun turret, asks public for help to identify. Nearly 150 years after 16 USS Monitor sailors died when their vessel sank in a New Year’s Eve storm, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has released forensic reconstructions of the faces of two crew members. Officials unveiled the reconstructions and dedicated a plaque in memory of the Monitor…
NOAA Releases Restoration Plan for Cosco Busan Impacts
Final Restoration Plan Completed for Cosco Busan Oil Spill; Projects will Address Impacts from Ship that Struck the Bay Bridge. State and federal trustee agencies have released the Cosco Busan Oil Spill Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan. The document summarizes the injuries to wildlife, habitat, and recreational uses from the oil spill that occurred on Nov. 7, 2007. It also describes a number of restoration projects that will be implemented to compensate for injuries from the spill.
BSEE, NOAA Enhance Response Mapping
BSEE and NOAA to complete Arctic oil spill response mapping tool. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced today they are partnering to enhance the Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®) for the Arctic region by summer 2012. ERMA® is the same interactive online mapping tool used by federal responders during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
NOAA launches USS Monitor Website
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries today launched a new website highlighting the 150-year history of the USS Monitor on the anniversary of the ship’s launch. The website, http://monitor.noaa.gov/150th, takes viewers from the iconic warship’s construction through its recovery to recent science expeditions undertaken to protect its legacy. The website, also offers students, teachers and history…
NOAA Satellites Help Rescue 207 in 2011
In 2011, NOAA satellites were critical in the rescues of 207 people from life-threatening situations throughout the United States and its surrounding waters. The satellites picked up distress signals from emergency beacons carried by downed pilots, shipwrecked boaters and stranded hikers, and relayed the information about their location to first responders on the ground. NOAA’s polar-orbiting and geostationary…