"OFEG represents Europe’s leading oceanographic research organisations and provides a forum to consider barter exchange and co-operation opportunities for the Global and Ocean Class research fleet. OFEG aims to maximise the overall scientific output using its state-of-the-art facilities in support of the worldwide oceanographic community.
OFEG comprises the managers and planners of the respective fleet of scientific research ships and major marine facilities. To meet the agreement’s general objectives, OFEG has the goals:
- To barter ship-time and major marine equipment whenever they are not available on a national basis at a certain period of time or in a geographic region;
- To exchange expertise of technological knowledge by using the equipment and technicians of partners;
- To provide a better overview of ‘large’ and ‘expensive’ equipment, their technical specifications, and their availability;
- To promote coordination of large marine investments."