Covers from Oceanographic vessels, underwater habitats, US governmental facilities, colleges and university research projects and vessels, remotely operated vehicles (ROV's), submersibles such as the DSV Alvin and others, oil rig diving operations, flight operations of NOAA and NCAR and much, much more.  Worldwide operations are conducted by many US universities, and there are many private concerns including private submarine tours in the Caribbean and Pacific Islands.

This area would especially be of interest to any of those StampWants members who used to subscribe to the late Irene Fager's publication called ONE HALF FATHOM; as well as those interested in a new fringe of cover collecting.  While it is safe to say the "heyday" of oceano cover collecting was probably from the mid 70's to late 80's; there were all kinds of underwater habitats and diving operations taking place all over the world--oceanographic covers are still frequently featured in online auctions and there are a few providers who will still document covers sent to them for servicing.  I would like to try to facilitate such an exchange of information right here!

Creator of group would like to use this to touch base with old and new oceanographic collectors and share information on projects in current operations that might be willing to document covers for their current projects, so members could make their own cover sendings.

For a beginning guide to the hobby of oceanographic cover collecting, see the page at http://www.qsl.net/kg0yh/oceanogr.htm  We welcome any and all who have an interest in this area, to join this group.

One of the additional photos I've uploaded in the photo area, is a tribute to great TV show that you should try to find on video, SeaQuest DSV.  Another is of a young frustrated icthyologist who has thus far found his examination of fish species limited to those he can examine on a midwestern restaurant platter, including this personal favorite-- hanging behind him on the picket fence, the ubiquitous channel catfish, icthalurus punctatus.

Keywords: Oceanographic, USN, Naval, NOAA, NCAR, Flight Ops, ROV, submersible, submarine, DSV, DSRV, Bathyscape, Trieste, Habitats, Underwater, Diving, dive, covers, USGS