Joint Resolution of National Federation of Regional Associations (NFRA) for the
IOOS and Marine Navigation Safety Coalition
April 27, 2005 draft
Whereas, enormous national benefits have accrued from the weather observing network
and similar national benefits can be achieved by an observational and forecasting system
for the oceans. This system, the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), is an
emerging national program whose goal is to develop and sustain a network of integrated
coastal and ocean observations to meet seven societal goals:
 Predict weather and climate;
 Facilitate safe and efficient marine operations;
 Ensure national security;
 Manage resources for sustainable use;
 Preserve ecosystem health and restore degraded ecosystems;
 Mitigate the impacts of natural hazards; and
 Ensure public health;
Whereas, the National Federation of Regional Associations (NFRA) has been organized
to represent the interests of the 11 regions that form the regional component of the IOOS;
Whereas, the Marine Navigation Safety Coalition is an association of trade associations
and organizations representing shippers, independent tanker owners, bulk transporters,
terminal operators, domestic offshore petroleum industries, cargo owners, cruise lines,
maritime associations and exchanges, car and passenger ferries, insurance companies,
port authorities, recreational boaters, and marine pilots;
Whereas, two/thirds of the goods and energy Americans consume come in through the
U.S. marine transportation system – the nation’s network of oceans, lakes, rivers, harbor
channels, waterways, ports, canals, locks, and dams;
Whereas, the marine transportation system provides the most efficient and
environmentally sound means of moving cargo and people, and is a vital part of our
nation’s ability to trade with the rest of the world, with over 95 percent of U.S. foreign
trade tonnage shipped by sea;
Whereas, cargo moving through the marine transportation system supports 13 million
jobs and contributes $742 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product;
Whereas the marine transportation system includes 78 million recreational boaters and
supports more than three billion dollars’ worth of commercial fisheries;
Whereas, every U.S. citizen relies on the marine transportation system in some fashion:
for energy delivery, exports, transportation, cost-effective consumer goods, recreation,
and environmental protection;
Whereas, ocean commerce is expected to double in the next 10-20 years, with the trend
toward larger vessels, requiring the movement of ships in very close clearances with good
safety margins, thereby increasing the need for improved safety and efficiency;
Whereas, real-time, reliable and high-quality oceanographic and meteorological
information is critical for safe and efficient marine transportation as well as for
understanding the ocean and coastal environments;
Whereas, some of the top priorities of the Marine Navigation Safety Coalition are to
sustain and enhance NOAA’s navigation programs, including the Physical
Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS) and the National Water Level Observation
Network (NWLON), which are part of the federal backbone component of the IOOS;
Whereas, many of the regions have identified the need for more observations to assist
with nearshore navigational needs and enhance our understanding of the ocean and
coastal waters, recognizing that all coastal data for operational use has application to
other stakeholders; and
Whereas, the goals of both the NFRA and the Marine Navigation Safety Coalition are
aligned towards facilitating safe, efficient and reliable marine operations;
THEREFORE, it is hereby the intent of these two organizations, upon approval of a
majority of the governing bodies of each organization, to agree to

Work together to support programs of mutual interest, including development of
the regional components of the IOOS;

Support as a priority sustaining and expanding the IOOS federal backbone for
marine navigation needs such as the PORTS and NWLON; and

Work together to ensure that the operational needs of the navigation community
are addressed through regional coastal and ocean observing systems.