supplies appears to be most significant on the 
Atlantic Coast, particularly in the Delaware River 
estuary. Potentially serious problems exist at the 
mouth of the Columbia River and in San Francisco 
Bay. 
Identifiable problems exist in the Great Lakes 
and the Pacific Coast harbors: 
—Disturbance to harbor bottom and lake bed 
ecology. 
—Pollution affecting water quality, fish species, 
and fish habitats. 
—Changes in tidal flow that affect the habitats for 
fish and shellfish. 
—Loss of waterfowl breeding grounds through 
spoil dumping. 
The effect of harbor deepening on the estuarine 
ecology has resulted in growing concern by natur- 
alists and conservationists throughout the country, 
emphasizing the need for additional information. 
b. Protection of Life and Property The U.S. 
Coast Guard is envisioned as the principal agency 
for (1) rescue of ships, submersibles, and divers, 
(2) safety inspection and certification of submers- 
ibles, diving equipment, diver training, and small 
boats, and (3) relevant law enforcement. However, 
it is necessary to examine the Navy’s role in 
certification of Navy submersibles so that the 
experience can be transferred to the Coast Guard. 
The panel endorses the role contemplated for the 
Coast Guard in future ocean operations. 
There is proposed legislation and discussion by 
the Coast Guard on a U.S. Continental Shelf safety 
program as an orderly, comprehensive, and co- 
ordinated means of protecting life and property on 
the shelves.” This treatment of safety reflects this 
Continental Shelf Safety Program and has been 
endorsed by the National Council on Marine 
Resources and Engineering Development. The pro- 
gram includes the following major areas of en- 
deavor: 
°Has not yet cleared the House Merchant Marine 
Safety Committee; no bill number assigned as of January 
1969. 
VI-118 
—Resolution of the conflict in use of U.S. Conti- 
nental Shelf areas. 
—Reduction or elimination of wrecks, debris, 
pollutants, and litter on the U.S. Continental 
Shelf. 
—Establishment of safety standards for continental 
shelf structures and devices. 
—Continuance of the Nation’s lead in continental 
shelf capabilities and activities. 
—Estuarine conservation, regulation 
(tentative). 
pollution, 
The present functions and activities of the 
Coast Guard are: 
—Provide search and rescue services. 
—Develop and administer a merchant marine 
safety program. 
—Maintain a state of readiness for military opera- 
tion in time of war or national emergency. 
—Provide a comprehensive system of aids to 
navigation for the armed forces and marine 
commerce. 
—Enforce or assist in the enforcement of Federal 
laws on the high seas or waters subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States. 
—Conduct an oceanographic program, maintain 
data on ocean status, provide ice-breaking services 
and iceberg patrol, and train officer and enlisted 
reserves. 
2. Future Needs 
Today and for the foreseeable future the 
marine transportation industry is essential to the 
well-being of the United States. The viability of 
the national economy to a large extent is depend- 
ent upon a steady growth in world trade. National 
defense relies heavily on shipping and shipbuilding 
to ensure adequate military response. Marine 
transportation and trade help maintain satisfactory 
political relationships between the United States 
and most of the maritime powers of the world. 
The future of the ocean transportation industry 
is dependent on faster, more economical ships, 
possibly nuclear powered, that will allow the 
