126 



also planned to support mission responsibilities of the Coast Guard 

 with special emphasis in the marine sciences field. 



Legislation is under study to permit the coast Guard to inspect and 

 certify underseas structures which present a potential danger to life 

 and safety at sea, as well as being a pollution hazard. 



In a parallel program, techniques for underwater search and rescue 

 are being investigated as the use of nonmilitary submersibles increases. 



Legislation which will give the Coast Guard authority to inspect 

 and certify these small underseas craft not presently subject to regu- 

 lation is also under consideration. 



Additionally, a national navigation plan is being formulated within 

 the Department of Transportation by the Coast Guard and the Fed- 

 eral Aviation Administration. This plan is expected to be responsive, 

 within the national interest, to the needs of all users. No similar inte- 

 grated plan has previously existed. 



This effort offers the potential of eventually providing on a cost- 

 effective basis the precise navigational information needed in carrying 

 out oceanographic programs in the national interest. 



In summation, an analysis of the Coast Guard program shows that 

 our total effort is in direct support of national programs. It is a user- 

 oriented program that is a logical extension of the other Coast Guard 

 missions involving services to maritime interests. 



Coast Guard missions reach on, over, and within the seas. They are 

 inten-elated. They often use the same facilities for cost-effective opera- 

 tions. And they use common support systems. 



The complementing marine science activities are similarly inter- 

 woven. 



The Coast Guard by reason of cost-effectiveness on a systems basis 

 and quality of data provided is, with its professional seagoing capa- 

 bility, well equipped to develop, construct, operate, maintain, and 

 service oceanographic platforms — be they ships, aircraft, or buoys. 



Such programs can be totally responsible to agencies generating the 

 basic requirements, as are the existing programs. 



"We welcome the emphasis placed on increased direction of the 

 national marine sciences program. We have been and will continue 

 to utilize our marine sciences capability, and, as the maritime arm of 

 the Department of Transportation, will work with the Administration 

 and the Congress to insure that the Coast Guard's capabilities are fully 

 utilized in the national interest. 



Mr. Lennon. Thank you. Admiral. 



Off the record. 



(Discussion off the record.) 



Mr. Lennon. Back on the record. 



Thank you. Admiral Smith, for a very fine statement. Let me com- 

 mend you, because the record reflects that since the formation of the 

 National Council, headed by the Vice President on August 17 last 

 year — the record reflects, I am almost sure that I recall it, that you 

 have attended each of the monthly meetings since the formation of 

 the National Council on August 17, 1966. 



You may have missed one, but I didn't read about it. 



But I have checked those attendance records to see who attended 

 these meetings, and I am very gratified by the level of people who 

 attend. They are scientific advisers, the secretary of this, that, or 

 the other. 



