to HS,0(X), aad tli® only saving ovsr th® IX)liffl sight b© on® or«sr man- 
b®r, but one wjuld sRorifio© the aai^r adTOntages kiet the umM pos- 
sesses# both for carrying o&rgo and handling ooeanograpMo and dredg- 
ing equipaseat, 
in alternative ifould be the acquisition of a housetoat type 
of yacht with seagoicg hull about 100 to 125 feet in length* Suoh 
vessels can aoootaaodate parties of six to ten. persons with a crew of 
four or I'iTO# and# asreover, would have aboard heat# light# power# 
refrigerator# radio# and esaple water and fuel capacity for extended 
periods.* Th© Maritisto OMaissioa has ta&en over several yachts desired 
by til© gowraaent for ll.OO cash* The owners were glad to be rid of 
them and were able to enter the cost on their incoia® tax blanks as a 
deduotible capital, loss* Ih© living roam or salons of suoh v®.ssels 
afford aeaple# well lighted, above-deck laboratory space. 
A floating laboratory has imcta to rmam3,md. it. One would 
have ooaplete labo«ttory and housing facilities avsildil© at what- 
ever island at which it was desired to work at any tlw, Ftirti^r, . 
a Bovabl© laboratory would constitute an effective patrol# inasiauoh 
as. the aQv®a.ents of such a craft would be unprodiotablo by others. 
Because of this possibility of aov®aeat frora place to place# on© or 
aor® launches# such as the VELELLA or DAIS'flls, siiould be provided# in 
order to keop in touch wito field parties and the base of suppllas* 
satter what vessel is acquired# a base or shore station 
would be a prisso necessity#, if only .for the purpose of warehousing 
supplies# storing water and fuel# and Installing an evaporator of 
greater oepa.oity tfc«n oould be carried on any of the boats. 
Respeo tf ully # 
WLSjLMc 
Waldo L* Schmitt# Gumtor# 
Division of Marine Invertebrates. 
