Velocity profiles in the open ocean reveal variations in the current structure throughout the water column. Superimposed on a smooth low-frequency shear profile are many layers of large time-variable shear. Repeated profiles at one location show that the time-dependent structure is dominated by rotary currents of diurnal-inertial period. Coherence calculated between profiles lagged in time indicates downward energy propagation. The kinetic energy of these internal waves varies with depth in a manner similar to that of the Brunt-V¿is¿l¿ frequency, but over a brief series of profiles there can be localized zones which are more energetic than might be expected. Based on velocity shear measured over 10-dbar intervals and a time mean Brunt-V¿is¿l¿ profiled, Richardson numbers between 1/2 and 4 are observed over much of the water column. Simultaneous profiles are most similar at a separation of 100 m, gradually becoming more different for larger separations of up to 10 km.