Physical profile data and meteorological data collected from moored buoys in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico from 2004-03-20 to 2005-07-03 (NCEI Accession 0055092)

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) awarded a contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to conduct a study titled: Survey of Deepwater Currents in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico (often referred to as the NW Gulf Study). The timing and general area of investigation extends the focus of a series of preliminary studies that as a group will provide a basis for effective design and implementation of comprehensive ocean investigations having a goal of in-depth understanding and characterization of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) circulation and dynamics. As identified in the Request for Proposal (RFP), a possible design for the study involved 13 full-depth moorings instrumented with various and appropriate sensors to resolve and estimate key parameters and conditions within the study area. Additionally, a combination of remotely sensed (satellite) data types (e.g., altimetry, radiometry, and color) were to be acquired and used to aid in the interpretation of mesoscale features and physical data in the study area. Within the scope of work for this study, there was a specification for coordination of all activities with oceanographers from Mexico who were responsible for Mexican Sector activities and data.