OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 125 



of engine repairs came in lieu of annual upkeep costs, not in addition to them. 

 The deck job, which cost $4,200, did not, of course, consist of new deck plates, 

 but rather the replacement of the old wood sheathing with a modern, water- 

 proof, nonskid deck emulsion. When the steel plates were bared during this 

 work, they were test-drilled by ABS representatives and found to be in excellent 

 condition. There are no new leaks in the deck, contrary to the report. 



During the past 12 months the schedule of the vessel has never been delayed, 

 nor have any scheduled cruises been omitted, due to breakdowns or other causes 

 which could be attributed to the vessel's condition. In years past, certainly the 

 engine breakdown caused considerable delay, but beyond that there have been 

 no major repairs or out-of-the-ordiuary repairs or layups causing undue delays 

 in the work schedule. Indeed, no condition exists aboard the vessel today to 

 keep her from going to sea for 300 days per year, if the work schedule required 

 it. According to subject report, the Albatross III has been at sea for 102 days 

 during the first half of fiscal year 1959. This, of course, equals an annual rate 

 of 204 days. And this rate was accomplished with a scheduled idle period of 

 25 days over the Christmas holidays ! The figures in the report just do not add 

 up to the conclusion that the Service draws from them. 



On page 5 of the report, it is stated that costs for the Delaware run about 

 $10,000 per month, compared to $14,000 per month for the Albatross III. From 

 these two cold, uninformative figures, someone would infer that the Delaware 

 Was more economical to operate — $4,000 per month cheaper, if you please. 



A look at the attached sheet, showing a comparison of research facilities and 

 personnel accommodations aboard the two vessels, and considering the fact that 

 the Albatross III has been working almost entirely on a 24-hoiir, around the 

 clock, watch and watch basis, whereas the Delatcare has been operating on a 

 strictly daylight basis, then these figures present a different picture: 



Albatross III: Carries average of six scientific personnel each working an 

 average of — 



Hours per day 12 



Days per month at sea 15 



Hours per month 180 



Scientists 6 



Research hours per month 1, 080 



$14,000-^1,080 equals $13 per hour of scientific research done on the Albatross 

 III. 



Delaware: Carries average of two scientists each working an average of — 



Hours per day 10 



Days per month at sea 15 



Hours per month 150 



Scientists 2 



Research hours per month 300 



$10,000^300 equals over $33 per hours of scientific research done on the 

 Delaware. 



On a typical fishing cruise the Albatross III will average better than 10 tows 

 per day, fishing round the clock. On a recent cruise report, figures show that 

 the Delatcare averaged less than four tows per day. If the Albatross III can 

 accomplish more than twice as much work for less than one-third more operating 

 cost one might exi)ect to believe she would be judged more economical. The 

 fact is that not one man aboard either of the two vessels, or the biologists and 

 technicians who go out on them, not one experienced seaman, given a similar 

 choice would choose the Delatvare. It is a most illogical move. It is a decision 

 arbitrarily made by someone totally unfamiliar with the operation of the two 

 vessels. The statement of increased costs shown on page 5 of the report cer- 

 tainly represents a drastic increase in the wages of vessel personnel. But here 

 again the figures lead you astray. There was no review of wages made until 

 1957 and the results of that survey showed that the men were drastically under- 

 paid. Hence the increase. During the period 1957 through November 1958, 

 subsequent surveys resulted in a slight increase. In February 1959 the Wages 

 Reviewing Committee again reviewed the wages, and in a surprise move, insti- 



