40 



engineering faculties of a university must be 

 encouraged and supported. 



Whether a particular task in advancing 

 technology (including a National Project) 

 should be performed by industry, the aca- 

 demic community, or a Federal laboratory 

 will depend on which element of the tech- 

 nological community is best suited for the 

 task. The decisions will be made by NOAA 

 with the assistance of the National Advisory 

 Conunittee on the Oceans. In all cases, provi- 

 sion should be made for the exchange of 

 information generated through Government- 

 sponsored programs, and for transferring 

 sponsorship of technical projects to industry 

 as soon as their development has advanced to 

 a point that a reasonable return on private 

 investment can be expected. 



Laboratorn test facilities like this 

 9-foot high, man-rated pressure chamlier 

 can simulate the effects of pressure and 

 time on divers and their equipment. 

 This chamber, part of a larger complex 

 being built by a compamj for its own 

 use, will hare a maximum capability of 

 1.500 feet. 



The Commission recommends that Gov- 

 ernment programs to advance marine 

 technology be so planned and admin- 

 istered that they permit private industry 

 to assume the responsibility for further 

 technology development at the earliest 

 possible time. 



The Commission encourages the National 

 Sea Grant Program to continue its efforts to 

 stimulate cooperative multidisciplinary pro- 

 grams involving both scientists and engi- 

 neers, including increased involvement of 

 industry with university multidisciplinary 

 activities. The Commission expects that pro- 

 vision would be made in funding the Univer- 

 sity-National Laboratories and the Coastal 

 Zone Laboratories for the inclusion of tech- 

 nology development to support the labora- 

 tory programs, utilizing the competence and 

 facilities of the universities and industry. 



The Navy in Marine Technology 



The Navy's marine technology program is 

 necessarily oriented to meet specific Navy 

 mission needs, but the Commission is im- 

 pressed by the important contributions which 

 Navy competence and facilities have made 

 and can continue to make to meeting overall 

 national requirements. Close liaison should 

 be established between NOAA and the Navy 

 to ensure that the Navy benefits from devel- 

 opments in fundamental technology and, 

 conversely, that the civilian effort promptly 

 shares in the accomplishments of the Navy 

 program. 



The Commission recommends that the 

 Navy's development capabilities and fa- 

 cilities be appropriately utilized through 

 reimbursable arrangements with the Na- 

 tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency 

 in pursuing a national fundamental tech- 

 nology program. 



