975 
- the proposed establishment of NOAA and NACO must both be con- 
sidered. The Department of Defense feels that some form of consolida- 
tion of marine functions leading to a somewhat smaller group of Fed- 
eral organizations with major interests in the field would be highly 
advantageous to the national program, both from the point of view of 
coordination and of critical size of the elements. We see several prob- 
lems that need to be taken into account in determining the final form 
of the organization. 
The Commission report discussion of the proposed incorporation of 
the Coast Guard in NOAA refers to, but does not deal adequately with, 
the question of its continuation as a specifically identified armed force 
of the United States, to function as a component of the Department 
of the Navy in a national security role in time of war. 
Maintenance of this identity would somewhat detract from the 
advantages of consolidation of the Coast Guard with the other 
fleet operating entities, particularly those of ESSA and the Bureau 
of Commercial Fisheries, proposed for NOAA. 
The Commission report also does not take sufficient account of the 
large proportion of the Coast Guard’s work occupied with search and 
rescue, and with marine safety matters not closely allied to the other 
functions assigned to NOAA, and the effect of this rather separate 
work on its participation in the mainstream purposes of the proposed 
agency. 
Mr. Lennon. Just at that point, Mr. Secretary, what was the reac- 
tion of the Navy when the Coast Guard was moved from the Treasury 
Department, which it had been in historically, to the Department 
of Transportation ? 
Dr. Froscu. I was not with the Navy at that time so that I am not 
sure in detail, Mr. Chairman, but I think the principal point was that 
it was moved as an operating entity into a department in which it was 
to continue to function as an independently designated entity and as 
a designated armed service so that its capabilities to do its operations 
and the required operations in time of war could clearly be maintained. 
Mr. Lennon. Is there any reason why it couldn’t maintain its iden- 
tity hee (anes purpose if it were put in a Government structure such as 
NOAA? 
Dr. Froscu. Certainly not, but one of the implications and indeed 
explicit suggestions in the Commission report is that one of the virtues 
of its incorporation in NOAA would be, and I don’t remember whether 
the term was “merged,” but closely associated with, the implication 
is a form of merger, with the BCF fleets and with the ESSA fleets. 
Even that could be carried out, I believe, without denigrating the po- 
sition of the Coast Guard, but it would have to be done administra- 
tively, very carefully. 
Mr. Lennon. How does the Coast Guard relate to transportation ? 
Dr. Froscn. It relates to transportation, I believe, with regard to 
its responsibility for safety at sea which is closely allied to some 
transportation safety. 
Mr. Lennon. What kind of safety ? 
Dr. Froscu. Maritime safety. 
Mr. Lennon. Where do we find Maritime? 
Dr. Froscu. That is in the Department of Commerce. 
