They study and collect data on currents. They also study the ocean and the atmosphere. Most oceanographers specialize in one area and discipline. Geological oceanographers or marine geologists study and map the ocean floor. They collect information using devices on surface ships or underwater research craft.
Physical oceanographers are geophysicists who study the physical aspects of the ocean.
This includes currents and the interaction of the sea and the atmosphere. Oceanographers who study ocean life, are usually called marine biologists. They are actually trained as biologists rather than geologists. Oceanographers is a specialty of Geologists. For more information on Oceanographers, see the occupational listing for Geologists.