Many people contributed to the success of the project, and we apologize for any oversight. The project was funded by CNR and by the DSTN and GNV. We are indebted to the IGM, CNR and DSTN management staffs for the continuous efforts in tackling and solving the financial and technical problems. We wish to thanks Capt. Y.Sikora, the officers crew and Navigation Team of R/V Gelendzhik, and Capt. L.Sazonov, the officers and crew of R/V A.N.Strakhov for their professionalism and efforts in assuring the success of the two cruises.
Dr. Selshopp of SACLANT provided us with extremely useful XCTD probes and Dr. Santoleri of IFA made available XBT probes. We are indebted and warmly aknowledge them. Dr. Del Negro and Dr. R.Napoli of IIV-CNR of Catania and Dr. De Santis of ING of Rome kindly provided the Magnetic Observatory data. We are indebted and warmly aknowledge them. Prof. Marson of the University of Trieste and OGS, and Dr.Carbone of IIV helped us with the calibration of the gravimeters, with data and instrumentation. Prof. Nadia Pinardi helped with suggestions and discussions, together with Dr. G.P.Gasparini of IOF and Dr. Sparnocchia of ITS. We thank also ENEA-PNRA for the availability of instrumentation, and Dr. Tricart and IFREMER for the availability of some Swath Data in the Sardinia Channel. We thank ELETTRA for the availability of ship Strakhov and GAS for intrumentation during cruise TIR99. Mr. F. Occhiena and Mr. Bacchiega of GAS supervised Strakhov's Navigation and Multibeam equipment during the first and second leg of TIR99, respectively. Dr. Viezzoli of SO.PRO.MAR. helped for the equipment handling in Civitavecchia.