The Scientific and Technical Workshop with DBCP-XX was opened in the Sagar Sangamam Conference Centre of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), at 09.30 hours on Monday, 18 October 2004. In its inaugural session, Mr K Premkumar, Programme Director of the National Data Buoy Programme of NIOT and Vice-Chair of DBCP, extended a warm welcome to the participants on behalf of the NIOT. He recalled that the NIOT had first participated in the DBCP at its 14^th Session, beginning a period of close interaction involving the exchange of practical issues relevant to the operation of a moored buoy programme. He also acknowledged the role of DBCP support in instituting an awareness campaign for mariners on the importance of floating platforms at sea and the crucial need to avoid vandalism. He explained that the NIOT is involved in many ocean related technological developments, and hence was a highly appropriate venue for the Scientific and Technical workshop. He then introduced the Director of the NIOT, Dr S Kathiroli who emphasized the importance of data buoys for the prediction of monsoons in a peninsular country like India, wherein the vast majority of the population is involved in agriculture. He also highlighted the importance of data buoy activities to India's active operational oceanography programme, and as a key contribution to the global forecasting effort in general . He concluded by wishing that all participants would share their expertise in constantly developing the utilization and impact of data buoy observations.

Commencing his inaugural address on behalf of the DBCP, Mr David Meldrum, Chair of the Panel, extended a warm welcome to all participants in the forthcoming workshop, particularly those from NIOT, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), India Meteorological Department (IMD) and other Indian agencies. He extended the Panel’s sincere thanks to Mr Premkumar and Dr Kathiroli for the excellent arrangements, and for the unstinting efforts that had been made by Mr Premkumar and his team to ensure the success of the meeting. Noting that India had built on its traditional expertise in oceanography and meteorology by establishing a substantial infrastructure to support these activities, notably the Department of Ocean Development (DOD), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and their respective institutes, he applauded the creation and nurturing of the NIOT. This institute, through its far-sighted approach to sustainable ocean utilisation and the expertise and commitment of its leadership and staff, had established itself at the forefront of ocean technology developments.  In the particular area of data buoy technology, Mr Premkumar’s team had established a world-class network of 20 moored data buoys in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, which had proved vital to the forecasting and other operational agencies, and were making a significant contribution to climate research in the region. In this regard, Mr Meldrum noted the Panel’s appreciation of the prompt and efficient efforts by the first meeting of the CLIVAR/GOOS Indian Ocean Panel in establishing a framework for climate-related research in the region, and, with the co-operation of the CSIR, NIO and NOAA, in moving swiftly to a deployment of four moorings in the Indian Ocean. Noting that the Panel had itself been active in the region through the activities of one of its action groups, the International Buoy Programme for the Indian Ocean (IBPIO), Mr Meldrum briefly described the mission of the DBCP, and its wish to recruit more members to its regional action groups. Amongst other benefits, this would assist in the education of the marine communities as to the importance of ocean observations, and hopefully lead to a reduction in the vandalism of ocean moorings, an area which was of considerable concern in the region. Finally, Mr Meldrum wished all participants a pleasant and productive workshop session.

Mr Kenneth Jarrott, Chair of the Technical Workshop then welcomed attendees. He noted that the workshop provided a special opportunity to share experience and vision, to see individual contributions in an end-to-end perspective, and to learn from the innovations or trials of new technologies, practices and services. He introduced the themes and schedule of the workshop. While noting the valuable contributions from America and Europe, the special contributions of presenters from the Indian and Asian region were particularly recognized, as was the excellent presentation venue made available by the NIOT.

The theme of the workshop was “Applications of Collected Data”; the three sessions of the workshop reflected a breakout of the overarching theme:

Vision and Possibilities / Technological Developments – including novel or emerging demands for new or improved technology and network performance (applications pull); and developments in buoys / instruments (technology push).

Operational Enhancements – evaluation / analysis of operational performance or trials; data communications and data assimilation; performance and efficiency benchmarking; new systems and practices;

Applications of Collected  Data – research and operational data applications; case studies, with a particular focus on the north Indian Ocean.

These themes covered the spectrum from the use of marine sensor data (the “WHY” of our endeavours), through to the developments and uses of sensor platforms and communications systems (the “HOW” and “WITH WHAT”).

Twenty-one papers were presented during the workshop representing a broad global effort under the three themes . The formal presentations, either in the form of a paper or the slide presentation, are included on this CD-ROM. Where the author did not provide material, only the abstract is provided here.

We express our sincere appreciation to the authors for their work, and to the Workshop Chair, Mr Ken Jarrott (Australia), for his excellent work in organizing and chairing the workshop. At the conclusion of the workshop, Mr Jarrott expressed special thanks to Dr Premkumar and his NIOT colleagues for their assistance in the organization and smooth running of the workshop.