The SeaWiFS Project will prioritize the request with regard to other simultaneous requests and the number of available real time agreements. Obviously, the sooner the proposal is received, the better its chances of being approved will be. However, requests for real time coverage of programs whose funding is pending will not be considered a high priority. Finally, all data collected that is appropriate for the calibration and validation of SeaWiFS, as outlined in the SeaWiFS measurement protocols, are to be provided to the SeaWiFS Project within six months of the termination of the temporary agreement. For field experiment support, the SeaWiFS Project does have the capability and authority to provide near real-time coverage and will do so when the field experiment is judged to be of particular value for SeaWiFS calibration and validation purposes and when providing support does not interfere with routine operations.
Many ships now have an Internet link and can easily receive attached image files while at sea.
This method has been recently demonstrated very successfully where near real-time OCTS data was acquired, processed and distributed to a research ship in the Gulf of Maine. Where digital data is required, an ftp directory complementing the web-based browse utility will be implemented. Although this is not the optimal method for distributing large volumes of digital data, for real-time support, it is the most efficient method available at this time.