The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA as it is more commonly known dates back to 1807 when it surveyed the US coastlines.

Nowadays NOAA provides weather forecasts, storm warnings, climate monitoring and oceanic research.

NOAA does have a diving arm that focuses on research and scientific endevours, teams of divers operating remotely at sea are often them norm.

NOAA is not an 'open-door' organisation that ordinary divers can join and is closed to the general public.
Typically, contractors, federal, state and government employees make up the NOAA personnel.

The NOAA Diver Hierarchy

Trainee Diver

Scientific Diver

Working Diver

Advanced Working Diver

Master Diver

ANDI	BSAC	CMAS

DAN	DSAT

IANTD	NAUI Recreational	NAUI Technical

NOAA	PADI	TDI