174 OCEAN SCIENCES AND NATIONAL SECURITY 



of Naval Research in 1946 and the formation of the National Science 

 Foundation in 1950. Nevertlieless, examination of the Navy and 

 National Science Foundation programs in oceanography reveals that 

 until fiscal 1960, in the view of many observers they appeared lackmg 

 in emphasis, vigor, and adequacy of funding. Responsible officials 

 of the executive branch as well as legislators have called for a new 

 effort m this regard. The Navy, until recently, has not pursued a 

 broad program in oceanography, despite its relevance to the Navy's 

 antisubmarine mission ; and this lias been true even though the Navy 

 is now the largest single supporter of such research. 



13. Other civilian agencies of Government having jurisdiction in 

 the ocean sciences have also not moved spontaneously to fulfill the 

 potential that lies in research in the sea. Moreover, this committee 

 is sympathetic to the view that future expansion of research m the 

 oceans should be concentrated more heavily in the civilian agencies 

 than m the military, for reasons detailed m the accompanying report. 



14. Most information about the sea concerns the surface or the 

 boundaries. Much, therefore, remains to be discovered in and at the 

 bottom of the deep oceans. The United States assumed a position of 

 world leadership m use of manned vehicles essential for deep explora- 

 tion of the ocean through the piu-chase of the bathyscaph Trieste. 

 There is question whether U.S. Navy has provided adequate logistic 

 support for the Trieste program and is fully utilizing this facility for 

 scientific exploration. Moreover, since the Trieste has limited 

 mobility and endm-ance and is dehcate to maneuver at sea, new types 

 of manned vehicles with enhanced capabilities are necessary for a broad 

 attack on the oceans, and the Navy should be offered every encourage- 

 ment to pm'sue promptly such a com'se of development. 



15. It is thus apparent that although the statutory basis has and 

 now exists for a national program in oceanography, such a program has 

 not yet emerged as an operating reality. This committee suggests 

 that the major reason for its absence is the highly diffused responsi- 

 bility for various sectors of research in the sea throughout a large 

 number of Government agencies, and (at least in the past) the absence 

 of effective coordination. 



16. The Interagency Committee on Oceanogi'aphy has been 

 operating too short a time to evaluate its effectiveness. Actions thus 

 far to implement interagency coordination and accelerate a national 

 program are to be commended. However, weighing its strengths and 

 weaknesses, it is believed it may be handicapped in ultimately 

 achieving its goals by lacking statutory basis. 



17. To remove the disparity between the current level of effort and 

 the needs for national security, it is necessary that the Federal Gov- 

 ernment organize, manage, and coordinate the necessary program. 

 This responsibility entails : 



(a) The development of a national program in oceanic research 

 and identification of goals. 



(b) The budgeting of funds for a balanced program embracing 

 all elements of oceanic research both for peaceful and military 

 applications. 



(c) The implementation of such a progi-am by both in-house 

 and contract research. 



