110 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



Mr. McKernan. I cannot tell 3^011 exactly how they have rated her, 

 but normally they do not with these vessels. 



What they do is actually make a report on her condition. What we 

 do is simply hire American Bureau of Shipping inspectors to inspect 

 our research boats and this is very helpful because their inspections 

 are very thorough and are classed by mariners everywhere as being 

 good inspections. 



jNlr. Drewry. So that even though it did not have an actual clas- 

 sification under the rules of the Bureau, as far as you were concerned 

 you would comply with the advice of the Bureau inspectors? 



Mr. McKernan. To the extent that our funds would allow we 

 did. 



Mr. Drewry. How old is the Delmoare'^ You stated it was newer. 



Mr. McKernan. She was built in 193S. That would make her 

 21 years old. 



Mr. Drewky. What do you consider to be the maximum useful age 

 for a vessel of that type ? 



Mr. McKernan. Of that general style, I would say between 15 and 

 20 years is about the maximum that she should be operated and the 

 Delaioare is at an age now whei-e she should be replaced, too, before 

 very long. 



3Jr. Drewry. I mention this age question in connection with your 

 reference to the general debility that seems to be taking place as time 

 has gone on. 



The Coast Guard itself, according to information furnished by the 

 CoT.nnandant last year, considers around 35 years to be useful life 

 of most of its craft, such as buoy tankers and patrol boats and things 

 of that sort. 



You call on them for inspection. I would assume that they would 

 apply the same standards to you that they do on their own craft. 



]\Ir. McKernan. I am applying the general standards that are of 

 the classes of vessels that we are dealing with. In general, that is far 

 older than the general consideration. 



In fact, insurance companies will simply not insure vessels of 

 anywhere near the age or at least do not like to. They consider the 

 replacement age in wooden vessels of about 15 years and of vessels of 

 steel hull of the nature of the AJhatross of about between 15 and 20 

 years. 



Mr. Drewry. You said that conversions are usually inefficient in 

 the first place. When inquiry was made, I believe by Mr. Dorn. con- 

 cerning your plans for replacement of this vessel, you said you did 

 have in mind the reconstruction of an existing vessel. How does 

 reconstruction compare with conversion and what vessel do you have 

 in mind thnt you will reconstruct? 



Mr. M(;Kernan. If I said that, I made a misstatement. I meant 

 new construction. If I said "reconstruction," I misstated it. 



Mv. Drewry. I may have misheard you, too. 



Wliile you said you would have liked to have replaced this vessel 

 in the past, I do not get a very clear picture that you feel that it is 

 even necessary to be concerned about replacing her at present because 

 you can carry on necessary work, essential work, you said, without 

 her. 



