FOREWORD 



For oceanographers the ocean itself is the laboratory, and the adequacy of the ships used 

 will significantly affect the oceanographers' ability to work at sea. 



As Mr. Nelson has depicted, prior to 1960, the oceanographer in his ships, with few excep- 

 tions, had to content himself with miscellaneous, jury-rigged conversions. The immense progress 

 we have made in this past decade to explore and exploit our planet's water resources has in large 

 measure been made possible by the specially designed oceanographic ships that have been built. 

 Yet we are caught in a paradoxical web ... the more we learn and the further we venture, the 

 greater the demands we must place upon our facilities. Our new tools of yesterday thus become 

 tomorrow's obsolescent ships. 



We are now faced with a tremendous challenge in trying to achieve a quahty environment. 

 This challenge can be met . . . but it wUl require resources and a major cooperative effort. 



As in the past, the Navy will continue its leadership in the marine sciences and will continue 

 to work with and share its knowledge with other national and international programs to the 

 maximum extent consistent with our country's security. 



Rear Admiral W. W. Behrens, Jr., USN 

 Oceanographer of the Navy 



III 



