Marine Science Affairs 



straight by attaching floats along the cable length. The equipment has per- 

 formed well and evaluation is continuing, along with developments to 

 achieve meteorological measurements and to permit telemetry of data. 



In FY 1969, Navy, Corps of Engineers, ESSA, Bureau of Commercial 

 Fisheries, the Coast Guard, and other agencies propose to continue their 

 instrumentation development programs at a level of about $5 million. 



Two areas were selected by the Marine Sciences Council for emphasis in 

 FY 1969: a "Study of Frequency Allocation" and a "Study of National In- 

 strumentation Facility." The first study, to be carried out by the Coast Guard 

 in cooperation with other interested agencies, will consider the need for stand- 

 ardized underwater acoustic frequencies for non-military use to increase 

 safety, convenience, and compatibility of new equipment. This will include 

 distress signals and general underwater communication. The second study, 

 to be undertaken by the Council's Committee on Marine Research, Educa- 

 tion and Facilities, in conjunction with the National Academy of Engineering, 

 will compile and analyze the functions, scope of activity, and organizational 

 guidelines for a national oceanographic instrumentation center, considering 

 possible utilization of the existing Navy Oceanographic Instrumentation 

 Center. 



Safety on the Continental Shelf 



Technological advances of the past few decades and foreseeable advances 

 indicate that extensive and varied activities will be conducted on the Con- 

 tinental Shelf. These include extraction of oil and gas, mineral mining, 

 fishing, transportation, pollution control, recreation, scientific and industrial 

 exploration. There may eventually be a need to develop mooring systems 

 for large floating airports, floating harbors or mobile breakwaters. There 

 may be new types of fixed underwater structures and installations, observa- 

 tories and laboratories, drilling and mining complexes, storage for liquid 

 or bulk materials, pumping and compressor stations, and processing and 

 power generating plants. For these and similar purposes, we need improved 

 yet economical materials; increased knowledge of the properties and me- 

 chanical behavior of sea floor sediments, wind and waves; and proven 

 techniques for such tasks as drilling, coring, pile driving, tunneling, pipe 

 laying, dredging, island building and waste disposal. 



Conflicts between the various coastal pursuits will increase along with 

 the amount of activity, with resultant hazard to life and property. Many 

 of these pursuits are beyond the purview of or are only vaguely covered by 

 existing safety legislation. A FY 1969 initiative, "Continental Shelf Safety," 



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