APPENDIX C. STATUS OF THE FEDERALLY 

 SUPPORTED FLEET 



Table C-1 summarizes Federal fleet size and funding over a 4-year 

 period extending from fiscal year 1974 through fiscal year 1977. This ta- 

 ble also reflects a decision by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to reduce its 

 input to the list of federally supported ships to those three that are 

 specifically related to its redefined role in the Federal Ocean Program 

 (see footnote. - appendix A-3). Following this action by USCG. the cur- 

 rent Federal fleet now numbers 73 ships. An additional net reduction of 

 four ships is also seen between 1975 and 1977. reflecting an insufficient 

 growth in funding to meet rising operating costs. This is particularly 

 notable between 1975 and 1976 when funding increased only 2.5 per- 

 cent. The larger increase of 14.7 percent between 1976 and 1977 more 

 nearly sustains a constant level fleet, although the academic and Na- 

 tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fleets each 

 show a decline of one ship, offset only in part by a one-ship increase in 

 the Navy component of the Federal fleet. Thus, although the overall 

 fleet support picture shows a more encouraging trend at the end of this 

 report period, funding problems have persisted throughout. 



Table C-1. Changes in Federal Fleet Size and Funding, Fiscal Years 1974 through 1977 



84 



