The center was one of approximately 12 other oceanographic facilities selected in May to assist with oil spill recovery following a meeting in Washington, D.C., with President Barack Obama's science and energy advisors as well as administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"The focus was on what the academic community can bring to the table," said Dr. Larry Mayer, professor and director at the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping. "That's our job as a natural center of excellence. You hope they would call on us when these things happen."