Abstract : The long-term objective is to provide a comprehensive worldwide optics database that includes data on a broad range of important optical properties, including diffuse attenuation, beam attenuation, and scattering. The database shall be easy to use, Internet accessible, and frequently updated with data from recent at-sea measurements. The database shall be capable of supporting a wide range of applications, such as environmental assessments, sea test planning, and Navy applications. The database shall include derived optical parameters so that if measured data are not available, the user can obtain values computed from empirical algorithms (e.g., beam attenuation estimated from diffuse attenuation and backscatter data). Error estimates will also be provided for the computed results. Extensive algorithm evaluation and validation will be conducted to ensure that the derived results are optimized as a function of wavelength, season, and geographic location.