OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 85 



I would like to add one thing. There has been a lot written and a 

 lot said about our activities in New England in this regard and I 

 am very pleased and feel it is a real privilege to be able to appear be- 

 fore you and attempt to set the record straight. 



There is a great deal of misinformation that has been put out on 

 this boat, a great deal of it that we have not been in position to prop- 

 erly answer. We will appreciate giving the committee any in- 

 formation and any facts in this matter within our control. 



We believe that we have people who are expert in the operation of 

 fisheiy research and oceanographic vessels. In fact, I believe I am 

 an expert in this particular field. I operated research boats in Hawaii, 

 in Alaska, and in the Pacific Northwest for practically all of my 20 

 years of my professional fisheries work. Under no circumstances 

 would I tie up an important phase of our research arm without 

 thorough and considered thought by not only myself but by other 

 experts that we hire for this purpose, 



Mr, Miller, Mr, McKernan, let us give you an opportunity to start 

 presenting the background of facts. Was the Albatross recently re- 

 habilitated and some length added to her as late as 4 years ago ? 



Mr. McKernan, The length was added by the Navy in 1941, al- 

 most 20 years ago. We rehabilitated the boat, or I should say con- 

 verted her, to biological purposes in 1948, We have been operating 

 her the 11 years since that time, 



Mr, Miller. Then the additional length was added in 1941 ? 



Mr. McKernan, Yes, 



Mr, Miller, When was any material or major work done on her 

 engines ? 



Mr, McKernan. Now, a major boat of this kind needs a major 

 engine overhaul approximately every 5 years and, if we had been 

 working on that boat properly, it would have been within the past 

 5 years. 



In 1958 there was some bearing work done on the vessel. 



Vessels of this kind and especially of this age need rather constant 

 work. There are ordinarily several or many thousand dollars a year 

 which go into the upkeep of these reserach vessels. The older they 

 get the more work it requires, 



Mr, ]\iiLLER, They are like an automobile. When we do one little 

 piece of work we do not consider that major overhaul, I was told 

 that within the last 5 years there was a major overhaul done on the 

 engines of this boat and that they are in very good condition today. 

 Is that correct? 



Mr. McKernan. There midoubtedly was a major overhaul done 

 on the engines of the Albatross and it is my understanding that 

 the engines are in fair condition for their age. 



Mr. Miller. They are in fair condition for their age ? 



Mr. McKernan. Yes. 



Mr. Miller, Do you consider the boat then as being entirely ob- 

 solete for this work? 



Mr. McI^RNAN, Of course, let us establish this : No boat converted 

 for this purpose is ever satisfactory. 



That is correct. 



Mr. Miller, So that we have to start on the premise that this was 

 a converted ship, that you are using other converted boats today. 



