so 



as broad as the seas ; ONR has conducted its 

 stewardship well. 



As the Navy moves ever more strongly un- 

 der the seas, it will need increasingly to en- 

 large its understanding in such vital matters 

 as the propagation characteristics of sound 

 in water. The Navy must continue its sup- 

 port of science to meet uniquely military 

 needs. In addition, the Navy will be a prime 

 user of all scientific information developed 

 by non-Navy programs. 



In a recent report, the Navy identified un- 

 derwater sound among eight areas of interest 

 singled out for priority attention. The acous- 

 tics program has been particularly important 

 to the Navy and to the Nation, since under- 

 water observation and communication de- 

 pends on the understanding of the transmis- 

 sion of sound. Although impressive gains 

 have been achieved in detection and commu- 

 nication capabilities, opjxn-tunities remain 

 for further improvement through studies of 

 the effects of acoustics reflections and refrac- 

 tion at the surface, at the bottom, and at the 

 interfaces between different water masses. 



The Commission concludes that the De- 

 partment of Defense involvement in marine 

 science is necessary to its mission. The De- 

 partment must have control over all the vital 

 aspects of the task for which it is responsible, 

 and basic research is one of those aspects. 



The Commission recommends that the 

 Navy maintain and, as required, expand 

 its broad program of oceanographic re- 

 search, in particular its underwater acous- 

 tics research program. 



Diversity of Support 



No single best way to conduct marine sci- 

 ence has been found, and it is unlikely that 

 a best way exists. The health of U.S. marine 

 science derives in large measure from its di- 



versity. Excellent marine science is to be 

 found in laboratories and universities far re- 

 moved from the sea and conducted by persons 

 and institutions not generally thought of as 

 marine scientists or engaged in marine sci- 

 ence. The Commission concludes that support 

 of one institutional arrangement or method 

 of education to the exclusion of others would 

 hinder rather than aid the growth of marine 

 science in the United States. The present 

 variety of institutional arrangements is good 

 and should be nurtured. 



The Commission wishes to emphasize that 

 the creation of the recommended networks of 

 laboratories should not lessen in any way the 

 Nation's support of the many other diverse 

 sources of marine science competence. Good 

 marine science should be supported wherever 

 it is found. The proposed major centers for 

 research should be so funded and managed 

 that they encourage the marine activities of 

 other public and private institutions and in- 

 dividuals. 



The National Science Foundation, the 

 Navy (Office of Naval Research), and other 

 Federal agencies must continue funding ma- 

 rine science activities as their mission inter- 

 ests may dictate. Project funding will assist 

 those laboratories designated to receive insti- 

 tutional support to respond effectively to 

 agency needs. It also will help to preserve the 

 diversity in the support and conduct of ma- 

 rine research so essential to the health of sci- 

 ence throughout the Nation. 



Advancing Marine Teclinology 



Importance and Objectives of 

 Marine Technology 



While science provides the key to under- 

 standing, technology is the key to expanded 

 utilization of the oceans. The Commission 

 uses the tenn to embrace the totality of knowl- 

 edge, equipment, techniques, and facilities 



