359 



reflection seismic devices now permit insight into the nature of con- 

 tinental margins and midocean mountain chains. Sediment coring 

 and deep sea drilling techniques facilitate collection of rock and sedi- 

 ment samples from specified layers identified by geophysical tech- 

 niques. 



The support of ship operations is a necessary and expensive part 

 of assisting oceanographic research. The National Science Founda- 

 tion and the Office of Naval Research jointly fund the total operation 

 of most of the 28 ships, operated by 16 universities and oceanographic 

 institutions, which will receive Foundation support in fiscal year 1969. 

 The Atomic Energy Commission provides partial funding, but on a 

 limited scale, for a few of these ships. 



Attachment 2 lists the names of these ships and the institutions 

 which operate them. 



At least five of these research ships are in such poor condition that 

 maintenance costs are excessive in relation to the value of the ship. 

 Three of the ships are converted World War II vessels, and two were 

 built in 1927 and 1930, respectively. It is estimated that a significant 

 portion of funds allotted to ship support will be required to cover 

 the maintenance and high repair costs of these five ships. 



Continuity of support is necessary to insure that the ships are ef- 

 ficiently used for research purposes. Support costs are expected to 

 rise in accordance with general cost increases in the economy. Ship 

 operation costs include salaries and wages for crews and marine opera- 

 tions staff, overhaul and alterations as well as normal maintenance 

 and repair, fuel, food, and utilities, pilot fees, port expenses, and 

 insurance. Funds for capital equipment, improved navigational equip- 

 ment, and shipboard computers are also included. 



Specialized research facilities include ship and shore facilities and 

 equipment necessary for conducting basic research. One of the factors 

 which makes it feasible to increase Foundation support of research in 

 oceanography is that substantial progress has been made in the past 

 few years toward alleviating some of the critical need for physical 

 facilities, research equipment and oceanographic research ships at 

 universities and oceanographic institutions. 



As a result of joint efforts by the National Science Foundation and 

 the Office of Naval Research, the research fleet and shore facilities 

 operated by the oceanographic institutions and colleges and universi- 

 ties are more adequate than they were several years ago. However, 

 there is still a need for laboratory buildings, shops, piers, wave tanks, 

 model basins, aquaria, and controlled environment systems. In addi- 

 tion, many existing facilities still need modification, expansion, and 

 modernization. 



Since the existing fleet of oceanographic research ships supported 

 by the Foundation includes ships which were not originally designed 

 for oceanographic work, and are old and costly to operate and main- 

 tain, we are investigating the cost effectiveness of constructing flat- 

 decked ships of the 170-foot offshore supply boat type. These ships 

 would be outfitted with general purpose oceanographic winches and 

 major general equipment for research but would be adaptable to the 

 specific needs of the various laboratory groups by the installation, at 



