Marine Science Affairs 



Safety of Manned Civilian Submersibies 



Man can go deeper into the ocean, for longer periods, and do more stren- 

 uous work at almost all depths with the protection and powered assistance of 

 a small submersible. The United States leads the world in building and using 

 these new tools of research and industry. More than 1,000 dives have been 

 made for research and exploration since 1964. During the past 18 months. 

 Navy laboratories chartered several "vehicle years" of deep submersible 

 service from private industry, while the Navy-owned Alvin was operated 

 full-time by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (See Figure XII. 2) . 



To insure that the growing activities of civilian submersibies are conducted 

 safely, an integrated system of regulation is now considered necessary, includ- 

 ing inspection of undersea vessels and structures, licensing of operators and 

 development of a capability to rescue personnel and submersibies in distress. 

 A new Council initiative "Safety within the Sea" calls for an extension of 



Figure XII. 2. The United States leads the world in building and using small sub- 

 mersibies for research and other missions under the sea. Over 1,000 dives have 

 been performed for research and exploration since 1964. The U.S. Navy's Alvin 

 is operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for research and recov- 

 ery. Two new Alvins are being built to operate at depths of 6,500 feet. (U.S. 

 Navy photograph.) 



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