exposure demands of present and future deep 
ocean platforms and buoys. Present mooring sys- 
tems employing wire rope encounter problems of 
excessive weight, corrosion, kinking, low elasticity, 
torsional unbalance, and massiveness of handling 
equipment. Systems employing nonmetallic nylon 
or dacron ropes encounter problems of fishbite, 
lack of electrical cables for underwater instrumen- 
tation, and mechanical attachment. 
The National Data Buoy System project under 
the Coast Guard will demand substantial develop- 
ment and improvement in deep ocean mooring and 
buoy technology, from which engineering in many 
other areas will benefit. 
Present support for undersea activities is chiefly 
by surface ships. Experience with FLIP and SPAR 
demonstrates that specially designed hulls can 
maintain remarkable stability under conditions of 
severe sea and weather. Specially designed surface 
stable platforms are necessary to support deep 
ocean vehicles, stations, and activities. The dynam- 
ics of various types of floating platforms are 
sufficiently different that each must be treated 
independently in establishing a satisfactory moor- 
ing system. 
In the future, large stable surface platforms 
may evolve into mid-ocean storage depots, trans- 
portation centers, power stations, etc. (Figure 15). 
Figure 15. Artist’s concept of future large 
stable surface platform. (North American 
Rockwell photo) 
They will serve as an upper terminus, power 
source, supply depot, and safety monitor to deep 
ocean construction work and undersea station 
maintenance. These platforms will evolve from 
FLIP, SPAR, and other systems which can main- 
tain remarkable stability even in adverse weather 
conditions. 
Recommendations: 
Research and development should be performed in 
mooring technology and equipment to support 
deep ocean operations at 2,000 feet in 5 years and 
at 20,000 feet in 10 years. 
Several types of buoys and platforms should be 
investigated to determine effects of size, configura- 
tions at the air-sea interface, underwater-shape 
drag, draft, metacentric and pendulum stability, 
platform directional control, mooring attachment 
location on different mooring systems, and the 
system best suited for each type of platform. 
A National Project for a Pilot Buoy Network in 
support of the National Data Buoy System project 
of the Coast Guard should be implemented. 
The more promising cable materials should be 
evaluated under operational conditions. 
Surface stable platforms capable of supporting 
underseas vehicles, stations, and construction and 
salvage activities to 2,000 feet in 5 years and to 
20,000 feet in 10 years should be developed. The 
platform must provide a surface terminal for 
logistic support, vehicle handling, compressed air, 
diver support, heavy lift, electric power, and other 
services as needed by the undersea activity. 
H. Biomedicine and Diving Equipment 
Biomedical technology must go hand in hand 
with equipment development to (1) improve hu- 
man capability to withstand variations in pressure 
and temperature, (2) enhance vision, hearing, and 
tactile perception, (3) provide mobility and orien- 
tation, and (4) make tool use effective while in a 
virtually weightless condition. 
The most effective diver is one who operates 
freely, carrying his own life support system. Thus, 
technology must be applied to resolve diver 
problems through biomedical research and devel- 
opment and design of proper suits and breathing 
rigs. 
VI-55 
