878 
cial resources in a way to expand knowledge and develop the tech- 
nology and engineering programs that relate to the problems of the 
oceans and inland waters. 
And I really don’t see the connection between the operating respon- 
sibility that I previously mentioned and the expansion of this know]l- 
edge. 
Mr. Karru. Have you any evidence that this cooperation between 
the air and the sea in terms of safety and search and rescue is greater 
today than it was before the Coast Guard was in the Department of 
Transportation or for that matter, before the Department of Trans- 
portation existed ? 
Mr. Brees. Well, I think the evidence, of course, would have to be 
pulled out of the experience we have had in running rescue operations 
with the FAA and Coast Guard both participating. Certainly we have 
a communications system set up now in the Department where both 
of these administrations are working very closely together in reporting 
disasters and accidents and in working together in reacting to them. 
That is a fact and I think that is more highly developed now than it 
was prior to the existence of the Department. In the area of accident 
prevention, I think there is a good exchange between the Coast Guard 
and the FA A and indeed, some of the other administrations in the kind 
of regulations that they are imposing, the kind of inspections that 
they perform in making this aspect of accident prevention more 
effective. 
But the evidence you are asking for I suppose would have to relate 
to whether we have indeed reduced the accident rates in certain areas 
and I guess, regretfully, the rates have not gone down dramatically 
since the creation of the Department. They have not increased dramat- 
ically either for that matter. 
Mr. Karru. Or for that matter, rescue is not today more successful 
than it was 5 years ago. 
Mr. Becas. I believe that is so. I might call on Admiral Trimble to 
comment on that. Admiral Trimble? 
Admiral Trrmepie. As the state of the knowledge increases, I think 
our techniques improve, Mr. Karth, but I can’t cite specific experience 
to show that it is better or worse. We think that we are doing better 
today even though perhaps some of our equipment still is of the same 
vintage that we were using 5 years ago. That is gradually being re- 
placed and, of course, with newer equipment it gives us a little better 
capability, communicationwise as well as range and as well as dealing 
with the ocean that we are working in. 
Mr. Karrn. Yes, sir. I did not mean to imply that I was casting 
aspersions at the Department of Transportation. I think the success 
of your operation, sir, depends more upon the technological progress 
that is made than the immediate, almost instantaneous relationship 
of administrative responsibilities between the air and sea. 
T have a strong feeling that that is probably a major factor if there 
is a significant change. 
Mr. Chairman, I suppose I could pursue this for hours, but I have 
one last question. Throughout your paper, Mr. Secretary, you dealt 
almost, insofar as it relates to organization of NOAA, almost exclu- 
sively with the Coast Guard and its assignment to the Department of 
Transportation. 
