107 



ly the Navy is developing as rapidly as possible a submarine rescue 

 system in order to provide the capability of rescue from fleet subma- 

 rines with a deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV). The first unit 

 of this system will be available to the fleet in mid-1969, and will, of 

 course, be available to assist civilian submersibles at any time. How- 

 ever, unless civilian submersibles are built with the requisite hatch 

 mating surface for the DSRV, this rescue system would have limited 

 applicability except as a means to assist in salvage operations. There 

 will also be available other civilian and ISTavy submersibles which 

 could assist to the extent of their individual capabilities. 



Mr. LennojSt. Counsel, do you have any questions of Admiral 

 Waters ? 



Mr. Drewry. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Admiral, would you please elaborate on your concept of a lead 

 agency ? 



Admiral Waters. In selected areas of the Federal marine science 

 program where substantial multiagency interests exist, the National 

 Council has in several instances designated a single agency to assume 

 major responsibility as a focal point of effort. This agency, in its lead 

 role, reviews the overall Federal and private effort in the assigned area 

 of responsibility, and initiates efforts, including budgetary requests, 

 necessary to fill any critical gaps which become apparent. It does not 

 become the lone performer at the expense of other agency programs, 

 because oceanographic areas which most properly lend themselves to 

 the lead agency concept are not ends in themselves but are done in sup- 

 port of various agency objectives. It is obviously important that the 

 agency designated as lead, however, be the major performer in the 

 specific field. I support this approach, which recognizes that the most 

 cost effective approach is to place management responsibility where 

 the major expertise already resides. I do not conceive of the lead agen- 

 cy as a device for extending Navy influence into other sectors of the 

 Federal marine science program. 



Assignment of lead responsibilities to the Navy for the national 

 ocean technology effort resulted from a long-demonstrated preemi- 

 nence and capability of the Navy to render effective service in this area. 

 We have offered to accept additional lead responsibilities in oceano- 

 graphic environmental prediction and oceanographic test facilities, 

 areas in which we also feel eminently qualified. 



I believe that as an interim measure, the lead agency role as con- 

 ceived and implemented by the National Council is proving to be a 

 most effective device for fostering the kind of cohesiveness among par- 

 ticipating agencies needed to achieve vital national goals. 



Mr. Leistnon. Thank you. Admiral, for appearing here today. 



Gentlemen, is the representative of Congressman Fascell, who is 

 chairman of the Subcommittee on International Organizations of the 

 House Committee on Foreign Affairs, in the audience this morning ? 



Is the representative of Congressman Fountain, of North Carolina, 

 here? 



Is the representative of Congressman Broomfield, of Michigan, 

 here ? If not, he will be permitted to come in and remain during the 

 executive session. 



Congressman Fountain and Congressman Broomfield are the two 

 members who have been appointed as House observers and our repre- 

 rsentatives in the United Nations. Both of them are in New York to- 



