1990 - 2000

1990 - NOAA assumes operation of Cospas-Sarsat (Space-Based System for the Search of Vessels in Distress) program from the U.S. Air Force.

1991 - NOAA's Hazardous Materials Response Division coordinates U.S. assistance in recovering from Persia Gulf oil spill.

1992 - Following repeated collapse of New England ground fishing stocks, NMFS initiates large-scale ecosystem study of Georges Bank.

1993 - North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) approved for geodesy.

1994 - NOAA Coastal Service Center opened in Charleston, SC; National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System established.

1996 - Sustainable Fisheries Act; first NOAA ship-at-sea web page on NOAA Ship Ka'Imimoana.

1997 - Ronald H. Brown commissioned; first new NOAA ship in 15 years; NOAA's Science Advisory Board established.

1997/98 - NOAA successfully forecasts world-wide impact of El Niņo.

1998 - NOAA is a major participant in the UN International Year of the Ocean.

1999 - Modernization of the NOAA National Weather Service completed; Sustainable Seas Expedition begins; NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown returns from round-the-world atmospheric research cruise.

2000 - 30th Anniversary of NOAA; 40th anniversary of TIROS satellite; 50th Anniversary of NOAA Ship John N. Cobb; scheduled launch of NOAA-L satellite.