A “user-driven” integrated system of observations, data management and communications, and data analysis and modelling that provides data and information required to achieve seven societal goals: 1) Improve predictions of climate change and variability (weather) and their effects on coastal communities and the nation; 2) Improve the safety and efficiency of marine operations; 3) More effectively mitigate the effects of natural hazards; 4) Improve national and homeland security; 5) Reduce public health risks; 6) More effectively protect and restore healthy coastal marine ecosystems; and 7) Enable the sustained use of marine resources .