240 OCEANOGRAPHY 1961^PHASE 3 



We appear here today in support of this legislation. It is appropriate that 

 the interest of the operators of merchant ships in the field of oceanograpy should 

 be recorded in these hearings. Our organization, at the request of member 

 companies, organized a weather reporting service for the Pacific Ocean in 1956 

 which was an attempt to provide shipowners with the same data pertinent to 

 routing of vessels as is enjoyed by airlines. This service is still being performed 

 by a private firm and has proven a major aid in saving vessel damage, weather 

 deck damage to cargo, and quicker dispatch of vessels in heavy weather. 



Although the results of this weather routing service have been excellent, 

 we have found that there are certain voids in the availability of oceanographic 

 data in the routing of merchant ships, particularly in the lack of knowledge of 

 wave action and its effect upon vessel operations. We would hope that the 

 studies which are envisioned by this legislation will develop greater knowledge 

 on this subject as part of the overall program of this committee. 



Admittedly, the program for oceanographic research presently is much broader 

 than that which would directly benefit the operator of merchant ships. How- 

 ever, from our cursory analysis, a great many benefits would ensue and our pur- 

 pose in appearing at these proceedings is to indicate our support of this pro- 

 gram and to offer whatever assistance merchant ships can provide in conducting 

 research on the sealanes of American commerce. 



Thank you for permitting us the opportunity to express our views. 



Mr. Miller. Dr. Eandal M, Eobertson, Assistant Director for 

 Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, National Science 

 Foundation. 



And the doctor is accompanied by Dr. John T. Wilson, Assistant 

 Director for Biological and Medical Sciences, Mr. Charles Ruttenberg, 

 Deputy General Counsel, and Dr. John Lyman, associate program 

 director for the earth science program. 



I am sorry that it is so late, Dr. Robertson. I do not know whether 

 you have a prepared statement or not. 



STATEMEKT OF DR. RANDAL M. ROBERTSON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 

 FOR MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES, 

 NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION; ACCOMPANIED BY DR. JOHN T. 

 WILSON; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POR BIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL 

 SCIENCES; CHARLES RUTTENBERG, DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL; 

 AND DR. JOHN LYMAN, ASSOCIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE 

 EARTH SCIENCE PROGRAM 



Dr. Robertson. I have no prepared statement, sir. However, I 

 would like to say a few words. 



Mr. Miller. If we cannot hear all of the very fine testimony I know 

 you are prepared to give today, we will have to ask you to come back 

 later ; but we will stay here until the bell starts ringing, and then we 

 will have to leave. 



Dr. RoBERTSoisr. I would like to say a few words about our National 

 Science Foundation position in support of oceanography. The Foun- 

 dation is now one of the major sources of funds for the support of 

 basic research both in physical and biological oceanography. 



Our fiscal year 1962 budget will, we hope, permit us to provide 

 about twice the $9 million which we provided in fiscal year 1961. 

 Funds are included for research grants and for research facilities, 

 including both ship and shore facilities, as well as for our share of 

 the National Oceanographic Data Center. 



In addition, many of our programs which are not identified as 

 oceanography, such as our fellowships program, give support to the 

 field. 



