FRONTIERS IN OCEANIC RESEARCH 



45 



The recommended 10-year program requires the construction of 

 78 new ships of sizes varying from about 500 tons to about 4,000 

 tons. Conversion of existing ships, principally from the Navy Re- 

 serve Fleet, has provided us with an oceanographic capability in the 

 past and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future for many 

 purposes. 



However, construction of new research ships in preference to the 

 conversion of existing hulls is considered essential for a number of 

 reasons. The Navy is making a study of the efficiency and economy 

 of new construction versus conversion for various applications to 

 point to the most feasible methods of providing the Navy with the 

 required oceanographic ships in the next 10 years. This includes 

 those ships we plan to make available to nonprofit universities and 

 institutions as well as those for inhouse laboratories. 



The most critical elements in expanding our effort in this field is 

 the shortage of scientific personnel to man the ships and carry out 

 a creative program. Recently, we have compiled data from 10 major 

 universities and institutions concerned with training of oceanogra- 

 phers as well as the conduct of research. This information is most 

 encouraging and we must do everything possible to continue the trend. 

 The number of professional oceanographers at the Ph. D., M.S., or 

 equivalent level and the number of their graduate students for the 

 past 3 years is summarized in the following table. These data show 

 that there has been an increase of 28 percent in the professional level 

 and of 80 percent graduate students over the last 3 years. 



By 1970 I believe we can expect the annual cost of the program to 

 level off at approximately $85 million. This annual investment will 

 offer a great return in national defense and in economic benefits to this 

 country and to mankind. Here I would like to emphasize that be- 

 ginning in fiscal year 1962 the annual cost of the program for several 

 years may require funding in excess of $100 million. 



This large sum of money will be required specifically for the con- 

 struction of ships and shore laboratories necessary for a significant 

 expansion in the program. The training and educational program, 

 however, will not be a large percentage of the total program cost. We 

 feel that approximately $15 million will provide the means whereby 

 an adequate number of oceanographers can be trained in the next 10 

 years. This figure is a cost of education only — not the cost for facili- 

 ties at educational institutions. 



The Navy, by far the largest supporter of oceanographic research, 

 contracts with universities and nonprofit institutions for about three- 

 fourths of its basic research program, the remainder is conducted in 

 Navy-operated laboratories. The funding of this research and de- 

 velopment work constitutes our contribution to the national oceano- 

 graphic program. In addition, the Hyclrographic Office of the Navy 

 conducts our extensive military survey program and the technical 

 bureaus of the Navy contract for many other closely related military 



