The method of heat transfer that plays a central role in transferring heat energy within the atmosphere and the ocean is

Convection.

Explanation:

As we know that convection heat transfer takes place when the fluid is in motion condition.

The energy transfer from the ocean to the atmosphere takes place due to convection. We know that radiation energy transfer dominates at the high-temperature condition. Here the temperature of the ocean is not too high but some small amounts of radiation transfer also takes place.

Therefore the answer is --

Convection.