2S6 



should be organized internally. If its full 

 potential is to be realized, its head will need 

 to weld the constituent units brought into the 

 new structure into a single, functioning 

 whole. This task will l)e accomplished only by 

 a superb manager who knows the myriad 

 problems and interrelationships of sea pro- 

 grams and who appreciates NOAA's potential 

 to advance man's mastery of the seas. 



Considerations Relevant to the Recom- 

 mended Agency Transfers 



A proposal to reorganize the Federal Gov- 

 ernment should not be made lightly. Inevi- 

 tably for a time, it will upset existing 

 programs and personnel. And it is difficult 

 to be certain that any particular proposal 

 will provide the best way to accomplish de- 

 sired ends. Proponents of such proposals, 

 therefore, should carry a burden of justifica- 

 tion. The Commission sets forth below cer- 

 tain considerations which led to its principal 

 conclusions. 



Coast Guard 



The most difficult question faced by the 

 Commission in design of a plan of organiza- 

 tion was whether to recommend the transfer 

 of the Coast Guard from the newly formed 

 Department of Transportation to NOAA. 



The Coast Guard Today The Coast Guard 

 now has the duty 



• To enforce or assist in the enforcement of 

 all applicable Federal laws upon the high 

 seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction 

 of the United States 



• To administer all Federal laws regarding 

 safety of life and property on the high seas 

 and on waters subject to the jurisdiction 

 of the United States, except those laws spe- 

 cifically entrusted to some other Federal 

 agency 



• To develop, establish, maintain, operate, 

 and conduct, with due regard for the re- 



Witliin NOAA, the Coast Guard — 

 irhich presently is engaged in such 

 diversified work as the interna- 

 tional ice patrol, polar research, 

 search and rescue, law enforcement, 

 and military assignments abroad — 

 would contribute to a civil sea 

 service of a size, stature, and 

 professional competence worthy of 

 the world's leading sea nation. 



