A continuing requirement for these services is evident from the 

 many agency and user responses. Thus, the program should be 

 acknowledged nationally and internationally. Obsolescent equipment 

 on the ocean station vessels should be replaced with efficient, modem 

 equipment. 



Recommendations 



Because the ocean station vessel program is such an obviously essen- 

 tial component of the overall national and international effort in com- 

 munications, safety of air and sea travel, scientific data, and national 

 Defense, it should be continued. 



At present the Department of Defense provides funds for the pro- 

 gram. This splits management and control of operations. Transfer 

 of funding to the Treasury Department logically should follow af- 

 firmation of the requirement for the services being rendered. 



Beginning with fiscal 1964, Treasury should budget for acquiring 

 and installing the necessaiy equipment, including radar, aids to navi- 

 gation, and communications equipment. The Department of Com- 

 merce should assimie budgetary responsibility for weather personnel 

 and equipment, because the Weather Bureau is a Commerce agency. 



Merchant Marine 

 Safety 



The U.S. Merchant Marine Safety Program got its start in 1824, 

 when Congress directed the Secretary of Treasury to investigate the 

 appalling number of boiler explosions aboard steamboats. From this 

 beginning evolved today's broad concern over the safety of life and 

 property at sea, which has given the United States the world's high- 

 est safety standards. 



The Coast Guard has had its present authority to enforce laws 

 dealing with Merchant Marine Safety only since 1950. As with 

 many of its other functions, the Coast Guard inherited a fabric 



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