237 



industry. We were very fortunate in having Alvin up to October 16, 

 last year for our own work. We intend to go back and retrieve Alvin 

 from the edge of the Continental Shelf. 



So, at the moment, we would have some case for cliartering sul)- 

 mcrsibles. We expect to obtain a new one which is now under construc- 

 tion at Electric Boat. 



I think it is a sound program and should be expedited. I don't have 

 the current information on the cutback. 



IMr. Drewry. I apologize for asking the question because I realize, 

 of course, that you have been out of the country for the last month or 

 more I guess. 



Dr. Fye. Three weeks. 



Mr. Hanna. Mr. Chairman, before the witness leaves, might I ask 

 if it would be possible for you, doctor, to provide for the committee a 

 copy of the proposal you made to the Commission over a year ago for 

 a certain plan for an ocean agency ? 



Dr. Fye. Mr. Congressman, I happen to have with me, as the saying 

 goes, a synopsis of that statement. The reason I didn't put it into the 

 record in my statement is that I believe the Commission's proposed 

 organization has had a great deal more study than mine. The 15 men 

 were brilliantly selected, and the job they did was superb. 



I would be glad to have this in this record if you wish. It does pro- 

 pose an independent agency for the purpose of ocean engineering and 

 resource development. It does not propose as comprehensive a takeover, 

 as it were, from all the other departments. My own actual opinion is 

 that it would be a good scheme, but the Commission has suggested a 

 better one. 



Mr. Hanna. I think it would be helpful to have it as part of the 

 genesis of coming to a plan, ]olus there may be some alternatives for 

 solving some of the inevitable problems that will turn up. 



Mr. Downing. We might like it even better. 



Without objection, we will place your synopsis in the record at this 

 point. 



(The synopsis follows :) 



[From MTS-Memo, Marine Technology Society, .January 1968] 

 A Federal Organization for Ocean Engineering 



The time has come for this country to push forward with a major ocean 

 engineering program. This program should complement present oceanographic 

 research, but should have different objectives requiring different techniques. 

 Two cogent I'easons for such a program are the need to conquer the ocean depths 

 for peaceful purposes, and the need to develop the oceans' vast resource potential. 



The present National Oceanographic Program includes some ocean engineering 

 projects, but the goal of many is to improve the capability for basic and applied 

 research programs. Although the departments and agencies involved in the na- 

 tional program undertake engineering projects to fulfill their missions in the 

 oceans, there are gaps that preclude the development of a comprehensive ocean 

 engineering capability. These gaps must be filled if we are to exploit the oceans 

 effectively. 



Industry cannot undertake projects of sufficient magnitude soon enough to 

 match the nation's total requirements. The cost of these projects will be large and 

 the profits may be slow in realization. Often the results may be too diffuse to be 

 exploited by a single industry. We cannot expect industry, unaided by the Gov- 

 ernment, to undertake necessary research and engineering studies, to fund con- 

 struction of a system, and to underwrite its operation, unless a satisfactory return 



