ECONOMY 



The tower is far more economical 

 than a ship for shallow-water oceano- 

 graphic investigations. 



Although direct comparisons are 

 not entirely valid, some generalities may 

 be made. The initial cost of the tower 

 was only about l/l5 that of an average 

 oceanographic ship. Maintenance costs, 

 such as painting, cathodic protection, 

 utilities, and replacement of worn parts 

 and cables, are only about l/8 as much 

 as a ship. Also, manpower utilization is 

 more efficient. Whereas aboard ship 

 most personnel are concerned with ship- 

 handling, on the tower practically all the 

 human effort goes to the scientific projects 

 on hand. 



In only one year, the savings real- 

 ized between the cost of operating the 

 tower and the cost of operating an average 

 oceanographic ship could easily amount to 

 the original cost of the tower. Further- 

 more, the operational costs of the tower 

 may be kept within stringent budgetary 

 requirements. 



Here a working party arrives at the tower. The 

 facility is used by an average of four or five persons 

 per day throughout the year. But it can accommodate 

 several more if the research requires. On the other 

 hand, many measurements are carried out while the 

 tower is completely unattended. 



16 



