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All of the Coast Guard's missions support the national marine 

 sciences program. In the narrower field of oceanography, our mission 

 is to provide data and research in support of responsibilities for 

 safety of life at sea, and to furnish oceanographic services to other 

 agencies in furtherance of the national program. 



The authority for this work comes from 46 U.S.C. 738, requiring the 

 Coast Guard to conduct international ice patrol, and from 14 U.S.C. 

 94, which states that "the Coast Guard shall conduct such oceano- 

 graphic research ... as may be in the national interest." 



The Coast Guard has supported marine science projects since its 

 inception. Since 1914 an active oceanographic program has been 

 carried out for the international ice patrol. This program has resulted 

 in several "firsts" in oceanography, and has given the service a depth 

 of experience in the field. 



The combination of over 40,000 personnel, 325 ships, 160 aircraft, 

 and 750 shore stations makes the Coast Guard uniquely qualified to 

 provide support to the national program on a cost-etfective basis. 



The Coast Guard has 35 ocean station vessels and eight icebreakers 

 equipped for oceanographic research in conjunction with their other 

 missions. In addition, there are two research ships devoted exclusively 

 to oceanographic missions. 



The Coast Guard Oceanographic Unit located in the Washington 

 'NsiYj Yard quality controls all data and conducts research on projects 

 pertinent to Coast Guard missions. 



The Coast Guard operates an oceanographic technician course at 

 Governors Island, N.Y. This course is believed to be unique within the 

 Federal Government and is available to personnel from other agencies. 



We send officers annually to universities for postgraduate study 

 leadiing to degrees in oceanography. In addition, we are sending two 

 officers for postgraduate training in ocean engineering this fiscal year. 



Cadets at the Coast Guard Academy receive a one-term course in 

 oceanography and meteorology during their second year. They also 

 may take an elective course during their senior year involving ad- 

 vanced study and the writing of a thesis in the marine sciences field. 



Dr. Richard Fleming, director of oceanography at the University 

 of Washington, is a member of the Academy Advisory Board. The 

 Advisory Board has recommended increased curriculum emphasis in 

 the marine sciences field. Dr. Fleming's enthusiasm and interest have 

 been extremely helpful. 



We are cognizant of the growing interest in the marine sciences 

 taking place on college campuses. We believe that a better appreciation 

 of the academic areas of oceanography and ocean engineering would be 

 realized by the student if he were exposed to seagoing operations early 

 in his academic career. 



In this connection, the Coast Guard would be pleased to provide 

 space aboard its ships in order that students may have this early in- 

 doctrination to the seas. In particular, introduction to oceanographic 

 equipment_ and the handling of heavy weights aboard ship should 

 prove particularly valuable. 

 _ A substantial portion of Coast Guard personnel, both military and 

 civilian, are engaged in work directly related to the marine sciences 

 program. Engineers of the various disciplines, merchant marine safety 

 experts, and personnel in the aids to navigation field are representa- 

 tive. Many of these people have received postgraduate or other special 

 training. 



