The law further empowered the President to appoint an 

 advisory commission of 15 experts from the academic world 

 industry, marine laboratories and the federal and state 

 governments to assist the Council In working out a 

 balanced long-range national oceanographlc program. 



This was followed a few months later by the National 

 Sea Grant College and Program Act. This legislation 

 provides grants to public and private Institutions to 

 promote both education and applied research In the ocea- 

 nographlc field. 



Meanwhile the Secretary of the Navy, seconded by the 

 Chief of Naval Operations, took action not only to 

 strengthen the Navy's oceanographlc program but to 

 strengthen the Navy's ability to cooperate effectively 

 with all other agencies and Industries Involved In our 

 national oceanographlc effort. 



In an Instruction Issued In August 1966, the Secre- 

 tary set up the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy. 

 The new head of that Office, Rear Admiral Waters, reports 

 through me to the Secretary for policy control and 

 directly to the Chief of Naval Operations for operational 

 control. His job Is to Integrate and direct the Navy's 

 entire oceanographlc effort Including research, engineer- 

 ing, and Fleet support. 



I mention these developments, well known as they are 

 to you, to remind you that your deliberations at this 

 Fourth Annual Symposium are taking place against a. back- 

 drop of greatly enhanced national purpose and direction 

 In the whole field of oceanography. 



So far as our oceanographlc problems are concerned 

 they are still with us In spite of the good progress made 

 In many areas. 



The Vietnam War for Instance has brought a whole new 

 array of challenges Involving both oceanography and 

 hydrography. We have seven survey ships on rotational 

 duty there right now. And we are concerned not only with 

 such traditional matters as mapping and charting and 

 oceanographlc survey work In support on mine warefare, 

 amphibious operations and shore bombardment. We are also 

 actively Involved now In river warfare all up and down 

 the Mekong Delta. Some of the new problems Involved In 

 this kind of operation call for all of the brains and 

 Imagination we can muster. 



Vlll 



