DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 3140.55C
N2N6
17 Dec 2018
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 3140.55C
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: OCEANOGRAPHIC, HYDROGRAPHIC, AND BATHYMETRIC SURVEY
PROGRAM
Ref: (a) CJCSI 3170.01I
(b) OPNAVINST 5430.56A
(c) CJCSI 3250.01E (NOTAL)
(d) OPNAVINST 3128.9F
Encl: (1) Oceanographic, Hydrographic, and Bathymetric Requirements Submission Guidance
(2) Oceanographic, Hydrographic, and Bathymetric Definitions
1. Purpose. To establish policy, procedures, and responsibilities for the submission,
assessment, prioritization, and validation of oceanographic, hydrographic, and bathymetric
(OHB) survey requirements, implementing the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) policies
contained in reference (a). This revision provides additional linkage to the Global Force
Management (GFM) Allocation Plan (GFMAP), which would be unavailable upon planned
cancellation of COMUSFLTFORCOMINST 3140.55A. This is a complete revision and should
be reviewed in its entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 3140.55B.
3. Scope and Applicability. The policy and procedures set forth in this directive are applicable
to all naval activities, and to commands and activities that submit OHB requirements to the U.S.
Navy.
4. Discussion
a. The Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy (OPNAV N2N6E) serves as the Chief of
Naval Operations’ (CNO) resource sponsor for OHB survey operations conducted by
Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM),
under the operational direction of Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command
(COMUSFLTFORCOM).
b. The U.S. Navy operates a range of forces capable of conducting state-of-the-art OHB
surveys including a fleet of multi-purpose oceanographic survey ships, navigation test support
ships, the fleet survey team, airborne coastal survey systems, mine warfare support units, and
unmanned underwater vehicles.
