Effective Use of Extant Ocean Data for Problem Definition/Solution

Over a period of many years difficulties have arisen in readily accessing archived data and in conducting supportable analyses of fragmented, seemingly disparate, data. The difficulties have tended to create delays in defining and solving ocean-related problems by discouraging the use of extant data and encouraging the acquisition of new data for such use. GURC, during the past decade, has developed and applied logical techniques for overcoming these difficulties. This paper briefly describes the GURC system in non-computer terms and discusses past and possible future applications. A discussion of its development and use in the OEI, Offshore Ecology Investigation, is followed by examples of its use in defining simpler ecological monitoring systems, rapidly accessing worldwide hydrographic data, reviewing offshore safety experience, and regulatory analysis and assessment. The paper concludes with examples of possible extensions to these types of usage.