232 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



every aid to the commercial fishermen of New England, at least, can- 

 not be overemphasized. We are faced with serious competition by 

 foreign vessels, whose efficiency and new construction give our vessels 

 serious competition. We can only by vigorous research and develop- 

 ment work hope to overcome some of these disadvantages. 



The decision to deactivate the only vessel equipped for such research 

 will seriously impede our program. The draft study would indicate 

 the loss of this vessel will indeed curtail this activity. The statement 

 that tlie Deluware^ plus hired commercial vessels, will make up for the 

 loss of the AThatrosf^ is hedged by many qualifications. 



The testimony offered your honorable subcommittee is that the Al- 

 hatross is too costly to operate. Even if one grants that an efficient 

 research operation might be carried on by a new vessel, it would appear 

 until such a vessel is available the services of the Albatross are vitally 

 needed. Here is a craft which, on the basis of all the evidence pre- 

 sented to your honorable subcommittee, is better equipped than any 

 of the other vessels available. It had a trained and efficient crew. 

 The loss of that crew cannot easily be replaced. 



According to the evidence of the commercial fisheries, the state- 

 ment that the operating costs of the Albatross are unduly high is un- 

 certain. How can you determine that research is carried on at a 

 deficit ? Funds to operate the Albatross are available, and we urge the 

 committee, therefore, to give consideration to the continued use of this 

 vessel. 



I would like to add before I stop that I endorse completely the 

 statement that Congi-essman McCormack is vitally concerned with 

 this project. He has been in frequent touch with the Governor's office 

 and urges the continued operation of this vessel. Senators Kennedy 

 and Saltonstall are also continually interested in this problem. 



Chairman Miller. I think there is no doubt that Congressman Mc- 

 Cormack is deeply concerned and the Senators from Massachusetts as 

 well. They have been in touch with us on this matter. Thank you 

 very much. 



Mr. Dr?;wry. I have no questions. 



Thank you very much. Dr. Lichtman. 



Mr. Donahue. The next witness we would like to present is Cajjt. 

 Emerson Hiller, who was master of the Albatross at the time of her 

 deactivation. 



Chairman Miller. Thank you very much, Mr. Donahue. Will you 

 give your name, Captain Hiller ? 



TESTIMONY OF CAPT. EMEESON H. HILLER, OF FAIRHAVEN, MASS. 



Captain Hiller. My name is Kmei'son H. Hiller. I live at Fair- 

 haven. Mass.. which is the center of the fishing fleet which works out 

 of New Hedfoi'^d and FairhaveiL 



I haveiTt come with any i)repared statement, but I have more (jues- 

 tions to which I Avould like some answers. 



The information which we gleaned was put into a memo which was 

 sent down to AVashington, and I am quite certain you gentlemen have 

 received a copy of this report. This is a letter dated March 5), lOHJ); 

 subject, "The Report on Deactivation of Albatro^^s III^^- submitted by 

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, dated February 25, 1959. It was 



