In spite of the fact that oceanography recently has asaiimed a new impor- 

 tance both within the Federal Government and in the public mind, there are 

 expressions of concern that progress is too slow, particularly in the area 

 of exploiting the ocean's resoiirces. In Congress this concern takes form in 

 a number of bills before the ciirrent session, 



American industry has been restive, too. The publicity accorded oceanog- 

 raphy in recent years has led some to expect massive federal projects -with an 

 impact upon industry comparable to that of the space progreim, and a spin-off 

 of new technological competence that wo\ild put established firms in a new and 

 lucrative business. This has not developed - and - may notl 



I, personally, am not convinced that organizational changes is the prime 

 requirement. Required most of all are well-planned, imaginative programs. 



In my mind, there has been much too much talking in vague generalities 

 about: "exploiting the sea, "exploiting the continental shelf," etc,, and too 

 little specific examination of real goals that might be attainable. 



The concerns expressed by both Congress and industry about progress in 

 ocean technology are well founded. However, before organizational questions 

 can be focussed, before accelerated spending is justifiable or before new 

 industries are launched, it will be necessary to develop specific programs, 

 establish priorities, and clarify the roles to be played by the Federal and 

 State Governments, industry, and other private institutions. But clearly 

 the existing federal agencies and, in particular, the Navy, utilizing fully 

 the Interagency Committee on Oceanography, should tak^ a strong lead in 

 developing such programs, 



»/ithin the Navy there su:e many siAilarities to the national program since 

 oceanography cuts across virtually all parts of the Navy structure. There is 

 hardly an admiral who does not have in his command some group that concerns 

 itself directly with ocean science and technology. You will get a feeling 

 for the magnitude of this problem within the Navy by an examination of the 

 President's National Oceanographic Program document for Fiscal Year 1966, 

 This document shows the Navy's share as approximately 50 per cent of the 

 national program. However, a full accounting of total oceanographic efforts 

 of the Navy completely eclipses the activities of all other agencies. There 

 is no vertical structure in the Navy that embraces all of this and exerts 

 line control over all of oceanography. This would be neither feasible nor 

 desirable. However, it is clearly essential that the Navy have well developed 

 and coherent objectives for its total oceanographic effort. 



The aims are clear. The Navy is determined that it shall continue to be 

 the federal agency most knowledgeable about the ocean. We intend to have, 

 for the foreseeable future, a program in ocean science, technology, operations, 

 and services, second to none in the world. The Navy intends to take an 

 increasingly aggressive leadership in the National Oceanographic Program because 

 nothing that goes on in the ocean can be without Impact upon the Navy's mlsalon. 



