The goal of the CIMT database group is to develop the architecture to locate, retrieve, and utilize information collected in the coastal ocean environment by CIMT and non-CIMT programs. Towards this goal, the group has developed a data archival and retrieval system for historical and real-time datasets from oceanographic surveys and autonomous instrumentation.
 

The core component of the data dissemination system is the relational database. In addition, CIMT has developed a web-based tool to simplify and verify the integrity of metadata records. Database and metadata collection are compliant with established federal standards and COTS recommendations:

• It follows Ocean.US Data Management and Communication Subcommittee (DMAC) guidelines
• Metadata are compliant with Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards

These datasets are available to a variety of users including local residents, educators, and governmental decision makers, in addition to the oceanographic and atmospheric scientific communities.