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In February, 1807, under the guidance of President Thomas Jefferson, Congress authorized a ‘…survey to be taken of the coasts of the United States…’ This act would form the Survey of the Coast, an agency whose successors would eventually become part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. President Jefferson’s namesake: the Thomas Jefferson continues his legacy by surveying the oceans and harbors along the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast of the United States.

The Thomas Jefferson, whose home port is Norfolk, VA, is part of a fleet of NOAA survey vessels. The primary mission is to collect and process the data needed to maintain and update the nautical charts along the U.S. East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Accurate charts are critical for the safe shipping of goods and services to and from our shores.

• The commissioning ceremony for the Thomas Jefferson was held in Norfolk, Virginia on July 8, 2003. Read the remarks of speaker Susan Stein, curator for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
• The U.S. Naval ship Littlehales is re-commissioned as the NOAA ship Thomas Jefferson.
• USGS survey of sedimentary characteristics of Great Round Shoal, MA, 2004:
• Thomas Jefferson involved in Hurricane Katrina and Rita response, 2005:
• Virginia Capes archeological survey, 2006.
• Wrecks discovered in Rockaway Inlet, NY, 2006:
• Thomas Jefferson informational flyer (PDF format):

NOAA.Ship.Thomas.Jefferson@noaa.gov

NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson
Marine Operations Center, Atlantic
439 York Street
Norfolk, VA 23510-1145

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