Ocean observation is to observe unknown ocean by acquiring time serial data from the ocean which is the must for ocean science research and attracts more and more interests recently. The paper defines and classifies the ocean observation and discusses how to tell the differences between ocean observing and ocean monitoring. Based on the understanding of ocean observation, ocean observing methodology are discussed in detail, differently in the aspects of observing technology, real-time performance, cost effectiveness and applicability. The author’s research work shows that the better understanding of observing data secures the ocean observation quality; the observing measure especially its platform is critical for the real-time observating performance , which meets the requirement of ocean observation; the cost effectiveness determines the selection of observing methods, and its applicability defines the best form of observation and even creates brand-new kinds of observing technology.

ocean observing  /  methodology  /  real-time performance  /  applicability