EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY 99 



D. CONCLUSIONS 



1. The MSF type B class is basically unsuitable for conversion to a hydro- 

 graphic surveying ship. 



2. The MSF type D class can be converted to a hydrographic surveying ship 

 of low efficiency. The cost of conversion plus increased operational costs over a 

 10-year period will approximate 90 percent of the cost of new construction. The 

 expected service life of this type of ship will not exceed 10 years. 



3. The ATA class can be converted to a hydrographic surveying ship of reduced 

 efficiency restricted to selected areas of operation. The cost of conversion plus 

 increased operational costs over a 10-year period will approximate 80 percent of 

 the cost of new construction. 



4. The ATF class can be converted to a hydrographic surveying ship of reduced 

 efficiency. Conversion costs plus increased operating costs over a 10-year period 

 will approximate 80 percent of the cost of new construction. Converted ships 

 of this class will be restricted to selected areas of operation because of excessive 

 draft. 



5. The service life of the converted ships will probably not exceed 10 years. 



6. The limited utility and restricted operational areas of the converted ships 

 will require an increase in the overall number of ships required for performance of 

 the Bureau's hydrographic surveying functions. 



7. Conversion of existing naval vessels to hydrographic surveying ships is not 

 economically justifiable. At a cost of 80 to 90 percent of the cost of new construc- 

 tion this would be a stopgap measure and would only postpone meeting our funda- 

 mental needs for a period of 10 years. 



F. J. Bryant, 

 Commander, Cost and Geodetic Survey, 



Chief, Vessels and Equipment Branch. 



Study op Conversion op Existing Naval Vessels to Hydrographic 

 Surveying Ships for Coast and Geodetic Survey 



Appendix A. — Detailed estimates for cost of conversion of the MSF type D class 



(a) Structural changes and accommodations: 



1. Strengthen structural hull (100 tons, at $2,000) $200, 000 



2. Enlargement of deckhouse, main deck aft (15 tons, at 



$2,000) 30,000 



3. Alteration and enlargement of deckhouse, superstructure, 



and bridge decks (substitute aluminum for steel — 50 



tons, at $3,000) 150, 000 



4. Insulation of shell and house sides in way of accommoda- 



tions (4,000 square feet, at $15) 60,000 



5. Deck covering in accommodations (10,000 square feet, at 



$2) 20,000 



6. Furniture and furnishings 60,000 



7. Subdivision of accommodations 24,000 



8. Galley and mess equipment 16, 000 



9. Revision of lighting to suit new arrangement 12,000 



10. Revision and improvement of ventilation and heating to 



suit new arrangement 64, 000 



11. Provision of sanitary facilities, including piping and 



flushing system 38, 000 



Subtotal 1 674, 000 



(6) Removals and alterations of equipment: 



1. Provision of new anchor windlass, including installation 



costs 20,000 



2. Removal of magnetic minesweeping system 15,000 



3. Installed cost of boat davits and winches 120,000 



Subtotal 155, 000 



