Meanwhile, the workload becomes not only heavier but more com- 

 plex. Rapidly developing marine technology (nuclear ships, super 

 tankers, semi-automated vessels, etc.) demands a higher degree of tech- 

 nical competence for safety inspection. 



A few figures illustrate the magnitude of the tasks of this group : 

 during 1958 the subsidized segment of the American Merchant Marine 

 transported between Uniteid States and foreign ports more than 6,000 

 million tons of goods valued at $16 billion ; 2,400 subsidized voyages 

 on essential trade routes authorized for 1961 were expected to equal or 

 better these totals. 



In wartime when all American merchant vessels are requisitioned 

 and operated by the Government, the Maritime Administration de- 

 pends heavily on Coast Guard functions as an arm of the Navy. Close 

 cooperation is necessary' to coordinate merchant marine safety in war 

 effort. 



No function of the Coast Guard involves as much conflict of juris- 

 diction and overlapping authority as merchant marine safety. In 

 addition to the Coast Guard, statutory authority in this field also 

 belongs to : the Bureau of Customs, the Maritime Administration, the 

 Department of Labor, the Atomic Energy Commission, and the Public 

 Health Service. ActiA^e liaison must be carried on with no less than 

 23 agencies in 8 U.S. Government departments. Beyond this, the 

 Coast Guard has agreements and arrangements with : the Great Lakes 

 Pilotage Administration, the American Pilots Association, and the 

 Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. 



Not surprisingly, conflicts of jurisdiction and overlapping authority 

 have created problems of administration and execution of the safety 

 function. 



1. Inspection and Regulation of Vessels and Equipment for Physical 

 Protection of Crerv^ Passengers^ and- Cargo. 



Requirements : Inspection of merchant vessels and enforcement of 

 safety regulations pertaining to hulls and machinery, lifesaving, fire- 

 fighting, and other equipment, to determine seaworthiness as a pre- 

 requisite for issuing certificates of inspection and international docu- 

 ments; performing similar functions on public vessels on request: 

 making factory inspections of certain equipment and materials for use 

 in merchant vessels ; and administering penalty procedures for viola- 

 tions of the navigation and inspection laws. 



Problem Areas : There are problems in regard to inspecting nuclear 

 vessels (involving the Atomic Energy Commission) ; and inspecting 

 cargo gear and safe working practices (involving the Department of 

 Labor). The maritime industry reports the need for uniform regula- 

 tions, for joint inspection by Coast Guard and American Bureau of 

 Shipping, and for a single agency administering maritime safety laws. 



32 



