Chapter I 



THE FEDERAL OCEAN PROGRAM: 

 A CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL 

 SECURITY, THE QUALITY OF LIFE, 

 AND THE GENERAL WELFARE 



National security, the quality of life, and the general welfare are 

 the chief concerns that underlie the Federal Ocean Program. Security 

 implies economic as much as it does military strength. Economic 

 strength is also essential to the enhancement of the quality of life, a 

 concept difficult to define precisely but clearly dependent upon 

 freedom of choice, both now and in the future. Decreasing conflict, 

 strengthening the economy, and protecting the environment all act to 

 improve the general welfare and to increase freedom of choice. These 

 goals guide the determination of the priority components of the 

 Federal Ocean Program, within the broader constraints imposed by 

 limits on available resources. 



Because the national goals upon which the Federal Ocean Program 

 is based are long-term goals, the nature of the contributing elements 

 of the program may not change significantly from year to year. 

 Program emphasis, however, may shift somewhat from time to time, 

 in response to changes in priorities. 



This report features the contributions of the Federal Ocean 

 Program to the fulfillment of two major national goals: the 

 promotion of international cooperation and accord, and the 

 development of new sources of energy to support our economy. 

 These highlights are followed by reviews of major supporting 

 elements that contribute broadly to the solution of continuing 

 program needs or problems: description and prediction of the ocean 

 environment in which the programs are to be carried out, and 

 technological developments in support of the programs, with special 

 emphasis on advances in data acquisition. 



America is a seagoing nation with great dependence on the oceans that 

 surround it. We can take pride in our past leadership and our accomplish- 

 ments in marine science and engineering. 



