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In 2009, the National Operational Wave Observation Plan, prepared for the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) and led by the National Data Buoy Center and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), outlined a comprehensive plan that will serve as a basis for a nationwide, high-quality surface-wave monitoring network. One of the projects that the USACE and the California Department of Boating and Waterways cooperatively funds is the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP). The CDIP is based at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography with its main focus on high-resolution directional wave measurements. The CDIP serves as one of the USACE’s contributions toward IOOS, thus promoting sustained and quality wave measurements throughout the United States.This article describes examples of how reliable, accurate wave data serve the maritime community and coastal managers. Several of the CDIP buoys are moored at the entrances to ports and harbors or close to the nearshore where waves impact the coastal zone. As evident, each port or harbor has unique conditions and therefore its own set of challenges. Specific examples are demonstrated as to how CDIP and IOOS have played a key role in the decision-making process, by contributing to the safety or economics of marine operations and coastal management. The real-time data are available on the Southern California Coastal Observing System (http://sccoos.org) and the corresponding Regional Association’s Websites. The data are also transmitted hourly to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Data Buoy Center and the National Weather Service.

Coastal ocean observing systems (COOS) play a vital role in advancing our understanding of continental shelf and estuarine oceanographic conditions worldwide and in providing essential information to complex coastal ocean stewardship issues. This introduction highlights some of the technological, scientific, organizational, and societal advances of COOS since its inception over a decade ago. The selected chapters contributed by COOS participants around the world provide examples of scientific synthesis and applications of acquired data using state-of-the-art coastal ocean observing and modeling technologies, and of the partnerships, governance structure, data management, and stakeholder relationships required for growth and contribution to topics such as maritime safety, water quality, coastal hazards, fisheries, ecosystems, and climate.

Congress designed the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) as a partnership of 17 Federal agencies and 11 regional systems. Through collaborative projects and shared objectives, these partnerships improve the understanding of the coastal ocean environment by increasing the data available for modeling and analysis, improving forecasting capabilities, and through new decision support tool innovations. This chapter describes the benefits of IOOS partnerships and highlights five case studies. The case studies focus on enhancements to fisheries management, drinking water management, prediction of harmful algal blooms, and the benefits of a dedicated coastal ocean modeling testbed that intentionally brings together the research and operational communities.

Coastal Ocean Observing Systems provides state-of-the-art scientific and technological knowledge in coastal ocean observing systems, along with guidance on establishing, restructuring, and improving similar systems. The book is intended to help oceanographers understand, identify, and recognize how oceanographic research feeds into the various designs of ocean observing systems. In addition, readers will learn how ocean observing systems are defined and how each system operates in relation to its geographical, environmental, and political region. The book provides further insights into all of these problem areas, offering lessons learned and results from the types of research sponsored and utilized by ocean observing systems and the types of research design and experiments conducted by professionals specializing in ocean research and affiliated with observing systems. * Includes international contributions from individuals working in academia, management, and industry* Showcases the application of science and technology in coastal observing systems* Highlights lessons learned on partnerships, governance structure, data management, and stakeholder relationships required for successful implementation* Provides insight into how ocean research transfers to application and societal benefit

Accurate real-time ocean weather information is critical for effective maritime safety, navigation, and event response for managing risk in our nation's coastal waters. In California, the combined ports and coast represents the country's most active area for shipping, fishing, tourism, recreational boating, commuting and near-shore water sports. Our coasts are home to three of the five busiest and most costly ports in the country.1 In 2007, imports and exports through California's ports exceeded half a trillion dollars. Tankers, container ships and other vessels comprise the bulk of port traffic and were the source of 33% of oil spills in California in 2007.2

In November-December 2007 a widespread seabird mortality event occurred in Monterey Bay, California, USA, coincident with a massive red tide caused by the dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea. Affected birds had a slimy yellow-green material on their feathers, which were saturated with water, and they were severely hypothermic. We determined that foam containing surfactant-like proteins, derived from organic matter of the red tide, coated their feathers and neutralized natural water repellency and insulation. No evidence of exposure to petroleum or other oils or biotoxins were found. This is the first documented case of its kind, but previous similar events may have gone undetected. The frequency and amplitude of red tides have increased in Monterey Bay since 2004, suggesting that impacts on wintering marine birds may continue or increase.