on 
results of your deliberations and subsequent actions. If the environment is con- 
structive, we will move ahead. If the environment is restrictive or poorly de- 
fined, it will constitute a significant risk in the evaluation of the feasibility of 
deep ocean mining. 
Let me illustrate this point by a brief example. An important component in 
our exploration is the deep ocean television system. Much work in the develop- 
ment of the TV camera had been done to meet a Navy requirement; the special 
20,000-foot cable had been developed for oil well inspection ; PROSPECTOR was 
available through the foresight of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock 
Company, a major defense contractor; a special winch existed, developed for 
that company’s oceanographic research program; and the monitoring and tape 
recording equipment was available from a variety of commercial sources. Put- 
ting these elements together in a viable TV system was our contribution. No 
single company could afford the high cost of developing these several elements. 
A majority of the elements were developed as components in important govern- 
Ment programs. Our government’s long-term, consistent and dependable funding 
of a basic oceanographic program will create and maintain the progressive 
oceanographic industry upon whom Deepsea Ventures and similar technology- 
‘based companies can call for essential help in their problem solving. 
Mr. Chairman, let it be clearly understood that I am not referring to govern- 
ment funding of our Deepsea Ventures’ ocean mining program. We do not now 
have government contracts, nor will seek government support for this particular 
program, as the resultant technology will be our stock-in-trade. The 1966 Marine 
Resources and Engineering Development Act with the subsequent formation of 
‘the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources indicated our 
-government’s enthusiasm and sincerity in going ahead in the oceans. If this 
promise is kept, our environment will be favorable. Failure to carry out a major- 
ity of the recommendations of the Commission Report, ‘Our Nation and the 
Sea,” or excessive delay in undertaking enough projects to create a “critical 
mass” of technology and scientific personnel could be expensive, and perhaps 
critical, to our undertaking and similar undertakings by other units of American 
industry. 
“Our Nation and the Sea” has been well received, in the large, by the oceano- 
graphic, marine engineering and natural resource industries. Certain segments 
of the report are more meaningful to specific organizations of our marine com- 
munity. I am not personally qualified to recommend or comment on the orga- 
nizational or legal aspects recommended by Dr. Stratton and his group. The 
‘group was composed of people with this expertise who felt, as I do, that enough 
resources must be marshalled under centeral direction to assure proper funding 
and continuity. Whether this is achieved through the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Agency or through strengthening some existing agency is unim- 
portant to me as long as your commitment is clear, the environment is positive 
and the entire marine community is “turned on.” 
A further area of importance to use, and the nation, is the need for a clearly 
defined international legal regime for the deep ocean floor. We are currently co- 
operating with our State Department and Interior Department in every respect 
to make the legal regime a calculable parameter rather than another area of 
uncertainty. Again, Deepsea hesitates to prescribe government jurisdictional, 
organization or treaty verbiage, but is anxious to delineate the requirements of 
a legal regime which will create an environment favorable to the development 
of marine resources. 
Conclusion 
Mr. Chairman, in conclusion I would like to state that we believe a program 
‘such as ours clearly demonstrates the need for the early implementation of many 
of the Stratton Report recommendations. If NOAA is critical to the carrying 
forward of these recommendations, let there be NOAA. In any event, your Com- 
mittee’s current and future actions are vital to the creation of a “real world” 
for the development of ocean resources. I very much appreciate this opportunity 
to describe to you how one company operates in the deep ocean and how our 
problems, progress and success relate to your demanding legislative duties. Thank 
you very much. 
*Note.—The photographs referred to were placed. in the files of the 
subcommittee. ; 
