152 OCEANOGRAPHY 



which they rely rather heavily. I think that is about the main sanc- 

 tion developed. 



Mr. DiNGELL. What power do you have to recapture the vessel ? 



Mr. HoFF. Only in the event of emergency, I believe. I would 

 like to check that against the actual grant. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Would you submit to us that information ? 



Mr. HoFF. Yes ; if that is wrong, we will correct it. 



Mr. DiNGELL. What have you done to standardize these oceano- 

 graphic research vessels ? 



Dr. Waterman. We have none this big. This is a matter of starting 

 from scratch. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Have you held any discussions w^ith Maritime Com- 

 mission about standardization ? 



Dr. Waterman. Yes; they are our chief advisers in this whole 

 problem. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Is there being some effort made to standardize these 

 vessels ? 



Dr. Waterman. Dr. Robertson, can you answer that? Of course, 

 we have the design of a completely up-to-date vessel now going. Then 

 w^e have a second to follow. The construction of the first one is stand- 

 ardization in a sense. For this class of vessel we will then know how 

 best to build one and how best to build the second. 



Dr. KoBERTsoN. My comment would be that it is not really plain 

 that this type vessel should be standardized. Perhaps certain fea- 

 tures can be standai'dized, but the different requirements of research 

 and different kinds of research that people carry out using this vessel 

 may dictate changes or diffei-ences in design in order that that par- 

 ticular kind of researcli can best be done. We feel that a good deal 

 of leeway should be allowed in this kind of design. 



Mr. DiNGELL. You are, of course, familiar that hull designs are 

 hull designs and the compartmentation is a very simple matter with 

 each f hi]\ The engines again are a very simple ma^tei' on Avhich you 

 can standardize. Have you made any effort to standai'diz^ such things 

 as hull design or perhaps dimensions or perhaps engines as a matter 

 of economy ? 



Dr. Waterman. The standardization of vessels — I am not expert 

 in this, but I have talked enough with peoi:)le to understand what 

 the problem is for oceanogra])]uc ])ui'])oses. !<■ is to take into account 

 both tlie desio-n of the vessel for its speed and seaworthiness — which 

 is the general hull design and compartmentation, and so forth — and, 

 of course, provision for the necessary activities that have to take place 

 on board so that those have to be adapted to each other. 



One. naturally, cannot build an oceanographic vessel and at the 

 same time make it tlie fastest vessel afloat, for example. This is a 

 matter of getting together with what the researcli people feel they 

 must do, what s])ace they need for it, what special frear thev need 

 for it, aiul get them together with authorities on building ships in 

 general. 



The oceanographic people have had years of experience in the kinds 

 of things they need to do, and the types of vessels that can do it, nnd 

 the ^Maritime Commission, of course, has great experience in ships 

 of all kinds and experience in this particular area also. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Hine there bpen discu 'sions with Maritime on these 

 possibilities of standardization ? 



