The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton

The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS) is a collaborative Centre owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the University of Southampton. NOCS is the national focus for oceanography in the UK with a remit to achieve scientific excellence in its own right as one of the world's top five oceanographic research institutions. NOCS delivers a diverse mission, which ranges from managing the national research vessel fleet and other major facilities, to programmes of strategic research for NERC, and academic research and education in ocean and earth sciences in support of the University's mission.