Marine Science Affairs 



— The Naval Oceanographic Instrumentation Center will undertake 

 national coordination and information exchange functions and will 

 continue its national instrument development test and calibration 

 functions to the extent permitted by Navy budgets and reimbursable 

 tasks. 

 — An Advisory Board of representatives of Federal agencies and a Con- 

 sultative Committee including representatives of the academic and 

 industrial sectors are being established. 

 4. Gaps in Technology. — In the military field, the development of deep 

 ocean technology is uneven — partly because the strategic uses and the need 

 for deep ocean capabilities have not been clearly identified. For example, 

 fixed military installations at depths down to 6,000 feet may become desirable 

 over the next 5 to 10 years, yet power supplies and a number of other 

 developments required for such projects are not yet available. Man-in-the- 

 Sea capability has progressed rapidly, but there is still need for efTective hand 

 tools, communication and navigation for swimmers in water which is some- 

 times opaque, and additional pressure test facilities. 



While ocean engineering for recovery of offshore petroleum products con- 

 tinued to advance in many respects, an inadequate base of marine technology 

 exists for most non-military applications. Accurate position fixing on the 

 surface and under the sea, reliable instrumentation, a better understanding of 

 seabed soil mechanics, technology for power sources, and improved dis- 

 semination of engineering information are some of the more urgent needs. 



Engineering Developments To Promote Safety at Sea 



In recognition of the intensified activities along our coasts, the Council 

 endorsed three engineering programs designed to facilitate safe maritime 

 activities and assigned to the Coast Guard lead agency responsibility for 

 these programs. 



1. Safety within the Sea. — To insure that expanding activities of civilian 

 submersibles are conducted safely, minimum requirements for safe opera- 

 tions are being considered. Measures might include inspection of undersea 

 vessels and structures, licensing of operators, and development of a 

 capability to rescue personnel from submersibles in distress. In carrying 

 out this program, the Coast Guard established a special projects office 

 which is considering draft legislation concerning minimum safety regulations 

 for submersibles regardless of size, tonnage, or number of passengers. Such 

 regulations could provide reassurance to those interested in utilizing sub- 

 mersibles for further exploration and work at sea, thus making submersibles 

 a more marketable item. Criteria will be formulated in FY 1970 to facilitate 



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