The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), a part the National Weather Service, operates and maintains the NWS's Marine Observation Network (MON). The NWS MON is an integrated, sustained ocean observation and information delivery system that serves all U.S. coastal waters, the off-shore waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and the Gulf of Mexico. The NWS MON is a major component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Backbone for Marine Observations. The system consists of headland and moored buoy data acquisition platforms, real-time processing and information delivery systems, as well as drifters, floats, and voluntary observing ships. These stations, which often provide the only in-situ measurements in remote regions, help NOAA achieve its mission responsibilities and strategic goals, serve the NWS storm warning and forecast mission, and support research and operational requirements of other federal, state, regional, local, academic and private sponsors. Congressionally mandated expansions of the NWS MON, the introduction of new technologies, and the establishment of strategic alliances have increased NOAA's contribution to the U.S. Integrated Sustained Ocean Observing System. This paper presents an overview of the NWS MON capability, discusses new operational improvements, and highlights recent regional,. national and international partnerships.
