The New Wave of Coastal Ocean Observing Shore stations and
seafloor nodes provide connections for long-term studies of
coastal processes Most traditional means of observing the ocean
have their limits. Research ships and submarines must return to
port. Robots and moored instruments run out of battery power.
Satellites have stamina but their view does not penetrate into
the depths. Ships and subs can carry only a few scientists at a
time, and never into dangerous but scientifically interesting
conditions such as hurricanes. Consequently, scientists have had
to be satisfied with intermittent glimpses of the environment.
The next wave of ocean science will be done full time, and in
real time. In recent years, ocean scientists and engineers have
been developing new ways to go to sea—and stay out there—without
getting seasick. They have been plugging instruments into
seafloor nodes connected directly to shore-based labs, and using
electro-optic-power cables to transmit steady streams of power
and data. At location