347 



which has generally solved the problem. If there is a more recent diffi- 

 culty, I have not been aware of it. 



Mr. Hanna. If the gentleman will yield, we passed a bill on that. 



Mr. Eeineoke. That is right. We passed a bill that there should be 

 special consideration for oceanographic vessels or ships on oceano- 

 graphic missions on any given voyage. I have been recently notified 

 there are still some existing problems in the interpretation of this par- 

 ticular law by the Coast Guard to the point that the Coast Guard even 

 wants to approve or disapprove the oceanographic equipment installed 

 aboard in addition to normal safety procedures which I think we are 

 all familiar with. 



You are not aware of this ? 



Dr. Froscpi. That has not been brought to my attention, but I con- 

 sider it has now been brought to my attention and it is a legitimate 

 problem for my committee to look into. 



Mr. Keinecke. I would appreciate it very much if you would. It 

 is a matter of ironing out some communications problems I think and 

 some technical details, but nonetheless, it does hamper research. 



Dr. Feosch. It will be done. 



(The communication follows :) 



Department of Tban sport ation, 



U.S. Coast Guard, 

 Washington, D.C., October 31, 1967. 

 Dr. Robert A. Frosch, 



Chairman, Committee on Marine Research, Education, and Facilities, Pentagon 

 Building, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Dr. Frosch : I am writing in reply to your request for information con- 

 cerning the nature and status of U.S. Coast Guard regulations as they apply 

 to oceanographic research vessels. 



As you know, Public Law 89-99, an act to exempt oceanographic research 

 vessels from the application of certain vessel inspection laws, and for other 

 purposes, was enacted on 30 July 1965. Following the passage of this legislation, 

 the Coast Guard circulated proposed regulations in several drafts and held a 

 series of meetings with representatives of the academic and industrial oceano- 

 graphic communities which culminated in a public hearing on the proposed 

 regulations in the fall of 1966. The comments from the public hearing have re- 

 sulted in further revision of the proposed regulations. During these revisions 

 we have been in continuous contact with the interested groups. It is anticipated 

 that a substantial agreement can be reached in the immediate future to allow 

 a promulgation of the Regulations for the inspection of Oceanographic Research 

 vessels by March 1968. 



In the meantime the Coast Guard is continuing to inspect oceanographic re- 

 search vessels in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations for Cargo 

 and Miscellaneous Vessels, making every effort to take into account this mission 

 and requirements of the research vessels. Under both the current and the pro- 

 posed regulations, it is Coast Guard policy that scientific equipment used in the 

 mission of an oceanographic research vessel not require Coast Guard inspection 

 except for certain packages such as portable quarters, vans, power packs, porta- 

 ble magazines, and large weight handling equipment the installation of which 

 afCects the safety of the vessel and its personnel. 



The Coast Guard has long been an interested and active participant in the 

 marine sciences. We understand the scientific nature of much of this field and 

 are reviewing all of our actions to make certain that oceanographic research 

 vessels are regulated to the minimum degree consistent with the level of safety 

 at sea demand by the interests of the nation. 

 Sincerely yours, 



W. J. Smith, 

 Admiral U.S. Coast Guard, Commandant. 



