There are thousands of buoys and satellites monitoring the ocean and its weather patterns. Here’s a smattering of the data collected from these sources:
United Nations Atlas of the Oceans – designed for use by policy makers who need to become familar with issues confronting the seas.
NASA Winds project – measuring ocean winds from space.
SeamountsOnline – an information system on seamount biology.
NOAA’s Vents Program – conducting research on the thermal vents located on the sea floor, and suboceanic volcanic activity. There are creatures living far, far under the ocean in conditions previously thought to be completely out of the question for life to exist.
Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory – development of ocean and atmospheric observation systems such as buoys.
National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs (OPP) runs McMurdo Station, the largest Antarctic research station.
International Arctic Buoy Program maintains a network of drifting buoys in the Arctic Ocean, providing information for climate research amongst other things.
IFREMER, the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea does research and monitoring of coastal waters as well as making recommendations for management of ocean resources.
Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping Joint Hydrographic Center is a hotbed of expertise on hydrographic and ocean mapping services
There’s a ton of information on the Artic Passages of Franklin and Amundsen here at the PBS NOVA site. This is a fascinating and inspiring slice of history.
The Beaufort Gyre Exploration Project is all about oceanography on top of the world!
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is the world’s largest nonprofit ocean research, engineering and education institution. They have great podcasts on iTunes too.
