V1, 7/18/05 8 relevance, the SEACOOS group needs to consider restructuring what may be some duplicative evaluation effort in this arena. The use of HF radar in SEACOOS is being strategically implemented, with appropriate staging and without ”duplication”.  This is a powerful technology that holds great promise for observing the coastal ocean, but it has not been used routinely in the southeast.  We need to make sure that both types of systems (direction finding and beam forming) are thoroughly examined before identifying which system is more suitable for specific locations and needs.  We had initially planned to test both types of radar on the west Florida shelf overlooking the COMPS ADCP array, but permitting and purchasing issues delayed this test to the point where we were unable to complete it as planned.  We instead choose to purchase both types of systems and deploy at various sites in the region and evaluate their performance in this way.  This approach is proving to be a good one since the strengths and weaknesses of the different systems are being identified in advance of decisions being made on how to bring HF-radar coverage to the entire southeast. · With exception of some aspects of the west Florida shelf sub-regional observation array that supports information needs of local emergency management, the SEACOOS array design is primarily designed to serve the needs of the physical oceanographic researchers - as originally proposed!  The only notable external users of the system information are the super users. However, if this system is to be sustained there is a need to serve other significant user classes, such as industry. Given the importance of pre-SECOORA positioning for the future sustainability of the present system, the SEACOOS need to identify a significant non-“super user” in the next few months; and demonstrate how their information needs influence the evolution of the SEACOOS observation/model system information. In addition, SEACOOS needs to employ system engineering approaches to objectively and optimally resolve competing needs of the SECOORA RCOOS. The comment that the SEACOOS array is largely designed to serve the needs of physical oceanographers is accurate, but the current configuration is more a reflection of history than planning.  Each institution’s subregional system design was driven by different factors (existing infrastructure, funding sources, scientific interests, etc).  Moreover, the subregional systems were designed to meet specific needs, ranging from university grant-funded research programs to state- funded user needs. It is obvious, however, that we must do a better job at marketing, which is the only way that we can muster more community support behind the COOS effort.   Cultural divides abound that must be bridged.  Some of these are political and therefore require care.  For instance, with respect to local emergency responses, the emergency managers are the decision makers.  We can provide them with useful information but we cannot get in the way of their responsibilities; the same