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in the future — we are talking about structures that are being used iit 

 the offshore industry. 



They come in various and different styles. Some of them are floating- 

 structures that have telescoping legs that go down and fix the struc- 

 ture on the bottom of the sea. And some of them are fixed permanently 

 in the bottom of the sea. 



Although we do have some responsibility now for establishing some^ 

 of the safety requirements with respect to aids to navigation or fire- 

 fighting or escape from the rig, we can see as these develop in complex- 

 ity that there will have to be further safety requirements established 

 with respect to their inherent strength and stability, and so forth. 



The American Bureau of Shipping is working with the industry in 

 this respect to establish certain standards that they would maintain- 

 for them. 



We have been looking to the industry to take the leadership in 

 setting standards for their rigs that are safe in the environment they 

 operate in. And they have done a very good job. 



We have been quite satisfied with this. 



But as these rigs get more complex and as we get more of them 

 scattered on various parts of our coast, I think they are going to have- 

 to be looked at more carefully. And we are looking at them now. 



Mr. Drewry. Are they primarily in the petroleum industry now? 



Admiral Smith. They are in the petroleum and gas industry. But 

 I am sure there will be other kinds of mining developments that will 

 come along on the Continental Shelf and other places that may finally 

 result in the construction of rigs right on the ocean floors, rather than 

 have them protrude above the ocean. 



So we are looking ahead to establish safety standards. 



Mr. Drewry. You are not actually drafting legislation at the pres- 

 ent time ; are you ? 



Admiral SMrrn. Yes, sir; we are drafting some, and we are pres- 

 ently discussing it with our Department. 



Mr. Drewry. What is the present status of the research vessel law 

 that we passed here 2 or 3 years ago, the one to set up special safety 

 standards for a vessel used for research activities as contrasted with,, 

 say, a fishing boat, where the six-passenger- for-hire limitation comes- 

 in? 



Admiral Smith. We are just about coming to final grips with the- 

 writing of the regulations. 



You are speaking now of the ocean ographic ships ? 



Mr. Drewry. That is right. 



Admiral Smith. We have had real problems in connection withi 

 the preparation of these regulations. We have had very comprehensive 

 and long and detailed meetings with various segments of the ocean- 

 ographic community — the people who are interested in operating the- 

 ships. And we think now that we have got some regulations that they 

 can live with and that we feel will carry out the intent of the- 

 legislation. 



Mr. Drewry. Do they think they can live with it ? 



Admiral Smith. I believe they do now, Mr. Drewry. 



Mr. Drewry. The chairman just mentioned that there have been; 

 some complaints, some complaints that perhaps the regulations have- 

 been, as you characterized the meetings, "comprehensive, long and. 

 detailed." And I am just wondering what the present status is. 



