4.1. MATERIALS 
A continuing need exists to provide vehicles with large working 
volumes at atmospheric pressures to protect instruments, equipment 
and personnel deep below the ocean. 
In 1966 we are limited to usmg HY80 and maraging steels for the 
pressure containers. By 1970 high-strength titanium alloys will be 
commercially available, and in the 1975-80 period high-strength glass 
and cast ceramics will come into general use. Rapid progress is also 
being made in composite and fiber-reinforced materials. 
The materials problem is difficult, and progress will be slow because 
of testing requirements; but solutions required for ocean applications 
are definitely on the way and should be available in time to accomplish 
missions which the Panel foresees. 
4.2. INSTRUMENTS AND TOOLS 
Navigational Problems. A need exists in the mineral industry to 
locate a point on the surface with an accuracy of : 
1. 30 feet from a stationary ship within sight of land in order 
to exploit an entire lease or other mining claim without leaving a 
150-foot (or more) border around the claim. 
2. 150 feet from a stationary ship on the high seas in order to 
locate and return to a point accurately. 
3. Ultimately 30 feet when underway for survey and research 
applications. 
The best available commercial navigational equipment when utilized 
within sight of shore gives an accuracy of about 150 feet. It is pos- 
sible today, by using extreme care from a stationary ship, to better 
this, but it is expensive because it requires precision geodesy to locate 
reference points and perfectly tuned beacons coupled with good con- 
ditions. Several systems including optical radar are under develop- 
ment which have not had sufficient testing to be operational and for 
which commercial equipment will not be available in less than 3 to 5 
years. Within 10 years surface navigational accuracy of better than 
100 feet underway will be available. 
4.3. POSITIONING PROBLEMS 
Drilling and construction activities require the ability to locate a 
bottom point to a position of better than 10 feet when referred to a 
point on the surface in the same vicinity. 
Depending upon the depth of water and currents beneath the ship, 
conventional plumb-bob techniques provide adequate accuracy for 
determining bottom positions on a relative basis. On occasion, how- 
ever, it is desirable, having located the specific spot on the bottom, to 
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