26 



THE NAVY OCEAN ENGINEERING PROGRAM 



Concept for a manned underwater station using a 16-ft- 

 diameter cylindrical hull. Access to the habitat is through the 

 sphere at the top, with the sphere at the bottom used for 

 observation. 



Current planning calls for development of three subsystems of the 

 salvage operation: surface ships, the lifting system, and the diver-support 

 system. Surface ships to be used in salvage and diving work include a new 

 class of submarine rescue ships (ASR) and a new class of fleet salvage 

 ships (ATS). 



To lift objects from the sea floor, the use of buoyant pontoons is being 

 considered in conjunction with winch equipment. The lift ships— two to a 

 system— will each have two 75 ton winches. The object to be recovered will 

 be attached to a series of high and low pontoons which will provide most 

 of the lift force, with the winches providing control more than lift. The 

 pontoons will have a combined buoyancy of 1000 tons, in addition to the 

 breakout forces. 



