no choice but to use a platform since the test could take some time and the 

 support craft will have to be capable of withstanding the severest sea states. 

 In this respect, the platform is more versatile since it can perform both types 

 of operations. 



It has been stated that the present underwater search and recovery 

 systems are seriously limited by the sea state; this is particularly true of 

 submersibles. As a result, it is certain that the Navy will be particularly 

 interested in the ability of any proposed heavy-lift system to operate in 

 heavy seas. 



A second requirement for any system used by the Navy is that it be 

 readily deployable. The importance of portability was demonstrated in the 

 H-bomb recovery operations off the coast of Spain. In that particular 

 situation, it took entirely too long to gather all the necessary equipment for 

 the operation; some of the recovery vessels were not easily transported to 

 the scene, and many of the ships were slow in arriving. This problem can be 

 solved in part by improving the organization of the operations. However, 

 there were some serious limitations imposed on the project by the equipment 

 used. In particular, the use of submersibles can significantly increase the 

 total elapsed time of the operation. Thus, it is apparent that an acceptable 

 heavy-lift system will have to be readily deployable. 



It is easy to conclude that the type of operation anticipated for the 

 heavy-lift system will have the greatest bearing on the configuration of the 

 surface vessel. Unfortunately, a vessel which can operate in rough seas, like 

 a platform, is not as readily deployable as a ship. However, the larger ships 

 will operate successfully in any common sea state; only in the severest seas, 

 for example a high sea state 6, will a ship not be safe to operate. 



COST OF SURFACE VESSELS 



Next to feasibility, the most important quality of a system is 

 economy. Although a surface vessel may be technically feasible and 

 acceptably reliable, it could also be too expensive. Usually the least expen- 

 sive system is the best of all feasible systems. This fact demands that 

 attention be given to the cost of construction or development of a system. 



There is some difficulty in realistically comparing the cost of 

 converting a T-2 tanker, which has been done many times, with the cost of 

 designing and constructing an entirely new platform. Experience is the best 

 guide for a situation such as this, so it is necessary to rely heavily on actual 

 construction costs of similar systems such as the Mission Capistrano or 

 Cuss I. In any event, accurate cost estimates are particularly important when 



93 



