Pirates of Colonial America Exhibit Premiering at Three 2010 NMMA Boat Shows

Exhibit Gives Visitors of All Ages Their Sea Legs with Interactive Fun

Chicago, IL

CONTACT: Dana Fennewald (dfennewald@nmma.org; 312-946-6256)

CHICAGO, November 23, 2009 -- The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced today the premiere of the Pirates of Colonial America exhibit at three of its 2010 boat shows. The exhibit will offer an interactive and educational attraction that can be enjoyed by the entire family and provides added value to the boat show experience.

The new exhibit offers a host of interactive features and gives visitors the opportunity to learn how pirates played an active role in early Colonial America – from selling the colonists inexpensive untaxed goods, to the start of the first North American college. Historical researchers, authors and veteran museum coordinators John Moga and Jon Paul Van Harpen created this visually compelling exhibit to highlight the Pirates’ journey throughout the Revolutionary War.

“For years, visitors have come to NMMA boat shows for an experience the entire family can enjoy,” said Ben Wold, executive vice president of NMMA. “The Pirates of Colonial America exhibit offers a special uniqueness to these three shows, allowing visitors to learn more about the history of pirates and boating in an exciting, interactive atmosphere.”

The exhibit will be featured at the following NMMA shows in 2010: Kansas City Boat & Sportshow, Jan. 7–10.; Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show, Jan.13–17 and Minneapolis Boat Show, Jan. 20–24.

For additional information regarding NMMA or to view a calendar of upcoming shows, visit NMMA.org.

About NMMA: National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.

NOAA Releases Expanded World Ocean Database

November 16, 2009

Large wave breaking over bow of NOAA ship.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

NOAA today released the World Ocean Database 2009, the largest, most comprehensive collection of scientific information about the oceans with records dating as far back as 1800. This product is part of the climate services provided by NOAA.

The 2009 database, updated from the 2005 edition, is significantly larger providing approximately 9.1 million temperature profiles and 3.5 million salinity reports. The 2009 database also captures 29 categories of scientific information from the oceans, including oxygen levels and chemical tracers, plus information on gases and isotopes that can be used to trace the movement of ocean currents.

“There is now more data about the global oceans than ever before,” said Sydney Levitus, director of the World Data Center for Oceanography, which is part of NOAA’s National Oceanographic Data Center. “Previous databases have shown the world ocean has warmed during the last 53 years, and it’s crucial we have reliable, accurate monitoring of our oceans into the future.”

Climate scientists use the World Ocean Database to track changing conditions which adds to the international science community's understanding of global climate change. Forecast centers, such as NOAA’s Ocean Prediction Center, also use the information for quality control of real-time oceanographic information.

The database is a crucial part of the Integrated Ocean Observing System and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, or GEOSS, as a reliable source of oceanic information. The information was compiled by scientists at the Ocean Climate Laboratory, part of the NOAA Satellite and Information Service.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth’s environment—from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun—and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

NOAA Deploys New ‘Smart Buoy’ off Annapolis

November 11, 2009

Seventh in a series of “smart buoys” deployed to monitor weather conditions and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

NOAA deployed the seventh in a series of “smart buoys” to monitor weather conditions and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay today. The buoy, located at the mouth of Severn River near Annapolis, Md., will be used by commercial and recreational boaters to navigate safely and provide data for educators and scientists to monitor the Bay's changing conditions.

Like the other six buoys in the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System, it will collect weather, oceanographic, and water quality observations and transmit the data wirelessly to users in near-real time. Observations from the buoys, as well as historical and seasonal information about the Bay and educational resources, are available online and by phone at 877-BUOY-BAY (877-286-9229).

Bay restoration is a high priority for many area officials and planners, who also recognize the important role scientific data and tracking observations play in restoration efforts.

“This system of high-technology buoys protects lives and property by providing real-time weather, tide, and current information that is also used to improve forecasts and warnings for boaters and neighbors in the Chesapeake Bay. I will keep fighting to put funds in the federal checkbook for critical investments like these that protect boaters, watermen and the Bay,” said Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Committee that funds NOAA.

Deployment of this observational buoy comes just two days after federal agencies made a draft of their strategy to tackle Bay cleanup available for public comment. On Monday, officials released a draft strategy to accelerate Bay restoration in accordance with President Obama’s Executive Order on the Chesapeake Bay. These buoys are an essential component of the monitoring and decision-support technologies called for in the strategy.

“I recently introduced legislation that calls for aggressive action to restore the Bay to health and sustainability,” said Sen. Benjamin Cardin, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “I particularly want to commend NOAA for its monitoring and observing system in the Bay. This new buoy in Annapolis will be joining other monitors along the Captain John Smith Trail as a way to help Marylanders and all Americans understand and appreciate the unique history, culture and environment of the Bay.”

Since 2007, the system’s existing buoys have been deployed at the mouths of the Potomac, Patapsco, Susquehanna, and Rappahannock Rivers, and in James River off Jamestown, Va., and in the Elizabeth River off Norfolk.

“The NOAA buoys are an incredible asset for scientists and boaters, but also a tool to help educate our next generation of Chesapeake Bay stewards,” said Rep. John Sarbanes. "I am proud to have fought for the resources to deploy and maintain them.”

Each of the buoys also marks a site along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

“We are delighted that the Annapolis buoy will allow modern day-explorers on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail to learn about the Chesapeake's rich history and its treasured landscapes," said David O'Neill, President of the Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail.

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office focuses NOAA’s capabilities in science, service, and stewardship to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA Deploys New ‘Smart Buoy’ off Annapolis