1. FIXED CONTINENTAL SHELF LABORATORY 
The U.S. capability to perform useful tasks in the sea is limited by sea keeping capabilities of surface 
support vehicles. In an area of such high work concentration as an offshore oil field an economic and 
effective support facility, in the 200- to 2,000-foot depth range would be fixed on the bottom. 
The design of the Fixed Continental Shelf Laboratory suggested by the panel should include one 
atmosphere living and working quarters complemented by specially configured sections which can be 
pressurized to support divers performing long endurance saturation dives. An exit and entrance lock for 
easy access to the undersea work area and the pressure complex for comfortable decompression are 
needed. Logistic support for crews of 15 to 150 men will be supplied from shore, surface umbilicals, or 
submerged power sources. Additional support can be achieved via support submersibles with a mating 
capability. 
A diver is uniquely suited to perform routine maintenance and repair functions necessary in offshore 
oil fields and to support mining, fisheries, and undersea test ranges. The laboratory will provide in an 
economical and timely manner the large amount of underwater operating time needed to evaluate 
undersea concepts. In addition, much beneficial technology will be gained for the future development of 
manned undersea military stations. 
2. PORTABLE CONTINENTAL SHELF LABORATORIES 
Exploration and resource development of the total continental shelf dictate the need for several 
Portable Continental Shelf Laboratories for manned habitation to 2,000-foot depths. Similar in many 
ways to the fixed station, a portable laboratory allows the utilization of a broad ocean area with a rela- 
tively small number of portable habitats. With the ability to deballast and be towed to another location, 
these laboratories, capable of supporting from 5 to 75 men, will provide comfortable one atmosphere 
living. Divers will be able to operate from and decompress in the pressurized section. 
The three laboratories proposed will be funded initially by the U.S. Government. Government 
agencies, private industry, and scientific institutions will be able to utilize the facilities on a cost 
reimbursement basis for scientific tasks or resource development. The flexibility of the portable concept 
for resource exploration and development provides access to all continental shelves. Military use could 
include training, logistics, and technology development as well as quick reaction monitoring in areas 
requiring intense surveillance. 
NATIONAL PROJECTS 
1. Fixed Continental Shelf Laboratory 
2. Portable Continental Shelf Laboratories 
Fundamental Technology Subsystem and Component Development 
Fish survey methods 
Survey equipment 
Decompression techniques Fish attraction methods 
Helium speech unscrambler Artificial upwelling 
Coastal ecology Foundation techniques 
Soil mechanics Geophysical sampling methods 
Group interactions Submerged submersible support 
Diver suits and tools Pilot underwater fuel storage 
Toxic materials Submerged oil well completion methods 
In-bottom tunneling and lock construction 
Mating of transfer vehicle to habitat 
Navigation and positioning 
Power sources 
Corrosion and fouling prevention Mid-depth pipeline support 
Local resource surveys 
Experimental dredging techniques 
Underwater viewing 
Anchoring and mooring devices 
Data handling Underwater maintenance techniques 
Environmental considerations Underwater logistic support 
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