The Global Observing Systems Information Center) is the focus for continuing international work to understand the terrestrial, oceanic and atmospheric components of global change. It provides global and regional data sets and analyses for research, for operational oceanographic and meteorological services; and for monitoring, detection of change, and prediction of future conditions. GOSIC provides a direct route to the GCOS (Global Climate Observing System), GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System) and GTOS (Global Terrestrial Observing System) programs and their data. It describes the components in some detail and provides links to specific projects and their data. On the International Research Ship Schedules and Information Pages (http://www.researchvessels.org/), they have Some 800+ research ships from 56+ nations work individually and co-operatively for much of each year. This database describes these ships, their past, present and future sea-going programs together with relevant supporting information.

Currently the most comprehensive information is available for the US research fleet but international input is actively sought. The existing research ship schedule and information database is part of an online computer-based information system, OCEANIC (Ocean Information Center), maintained at the University of Delaware, College of Marine Studies in Lewes, Delaware. As a result of successful national and international cooperation combined with networking and active outreach, OCEANIC accumulates approximately 1,000-2,000 cruises per year from more than 19 countries.

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