for all aspects of MUA and promote research 
in the long-term health effects of diving 
e@ Provide national guidelines and identify those 
areas where MUA can continue to contribute 
to the national ocean program 
e Sponsor and/or provide incentives for joint 
programs with industry where risk or initial 
capital outlay is too great for private capital 
To support these goals, the following technologi- 
cal improvements are needed: 
e Increase the useful bottom time of manned 
submersibles and improve surface handling 
and underwater navigation systems 
e Increase the ability to use external tools and 
manipulators from submersibles 
e Increase the self-sufficiency of habitats 
e Increase the capability and flexibility of divers 
@ Improve equipment and operational safety 
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 
The following conclusions and recommendations 
were developed in the course of the study. It was 
agreed that a viable course of development for civil 
MUA must benefit the economy of the United 
States, contribute to our understanding of the sea 
environment, promote national security, and be 
undertaken with an understanding that the role of 
MUA in the accomplishment of these objectives 
must be evaluated with regard to other alternatives. 
PRESENT AND POTENTIAL USES OF MANNED 
UNDERSEA ACTIVITY 
Conclusions 
@ MUA can assist in the assessment and devel- 
opment of marine resources; in the establish- 
ment of standards for environmental protec- 
tion of coastal waters; and in understanding 
environmental aspects of coastal zone man- 
agement. 
e MUA has demonstrated its potential in the 
marine sciences and in ocean engineering and 
work tasks in the sea. 
e Civil MUA is limited more by uncertain fund- 
ing than by facilities or capabilty. However, 
facilities could be improved. 
e@ Industrial use of MUA has developed to an 
advanced stage in the United States with a 
trend toward complementary or associated use 
of unmanned undersea systems. 
e Industry will benefit increasingly as the uses 
of MUA in the fields of marine biology and 
marine geology lead to increased capabilities 
in resource assessment and better environ- 
mental impact information. 
24 
e As economic advantages can be demonstrated, 
industry will make major commitments to 
MUA. At present, few areas seem to offer such 
potential. However, this should change as 
ocean engineering activities and offshore re- 
source development mature. 
e@ MUA should play an important role in pro- 
posed joint ocean research and utilization pro- 
grams and in legal arrangements with other 
nations. 
FACILITIES FOR MANNED UNDERSEA ACTIVITY 
Conclusions 
e Federally funded selected habitats, submersi- 
bles, and support capability are needed to 
support civil MUA. The technology for such 
facilities exists, but the commitment, as well 
as the costs of acquisition, long-term mainte- 
nance, and operation, limit their utilization. 
e Additional provisions are needed for rescue 
and decompression facilities to accommodate 
the rapid growth of recreational diving. 
Recommendation 
e@ The U.S. Government should continue to make 
MUA facilities available in order to support 
selected projects; provide experience for ma- 
rine scientists and engineers; assess and use 
existing technology; maintain and improve the 
national capability and posture for future pro- 
grams; offer rescue capability; evaluate and 
conduct missions in support of major environ- 
mental programs; and support marine re- 
source assessment, management, and con- 
servation. 
MANAGEMENT OF CIVIL MUA PROGRAMS 
Conclusions 
e A single, but not exclusive, focal point within 
the federal government should coordinate 
manned undersea capabilities for civil uses, 
and should not only encourage but help ensure 
the promotion of manned undersea activity 
that contributes to national objectives. 
® The existing organizational structure for the 
federal ocean program can accommodate in- 
creased activity in civil MUA. 
e The government should ensure that criteria 
and standards for MUA utilization are estab- 
lished so as to ensure safe operations. Multi- 
agency planning and liaison with non-govern- 
ment agencies should help to ensure reason- 
able regulation. Such regulatory criteria should 
