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DOCUMENT RESUME
05888 - [B1286241]
The U. S. Oceanographic Fleet. May 5, 1978. 16 pp. * 2
appendices (4 pp.).
Testimony before the House Committee cm Merchant Marine and
Fisheries: Oceanography Subcommittee; by Wilbur D. Campbell,
Associate DirectoL, Community and Economic Levelopment Div.
Contact: Community and Economic Development Div.
Orqanization concerned: Department of the Navy; National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration; National Science Fou mtation;
Coast Guard.
Conqressional Relevance: House Committee cc Merchant marine and
Fisheries: Oceanography Sutcommittee.
Previous GAO reports on Federal ocean programs
discussed the number of activities invclvei, costs of programs,
and lack of coordination. The most recer.t review in this area
dealt with problems associated with operating federally owned
and/or funded ocean research and survey vessels. In 1977, over
$126 million was spent to operate and maintain the oceancgraphic
fleet which is composed of 60 oceanographic research vessels and
21 survey vessels. Federal oceanic activities are conducted by
21 organizatiuns in 6 departments and 5 agencies. Vessels are
funded, operated, and managed independently with nu stngle
agency having overall responsibility. There are no
Government-wide policies or procedures for agancies to follow.
Four issues %i.ich require resolution to improve the capability
of the U.S. )cean fleet are: the need for a single manager of
all U.S. oceanographic vessels, the need for uniform vessel
accounting standards, the need for better coordination within
the Department of the Navy, and the need for improving the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adainistraticons vessel
management activities. Because of the growing awareness of the
importance of ocean resources, other maritime nations have
expanded efforts in ocean science. The Soviet Union has been
improvinq its oceanographic capability through a comprehensive
national ocean policy and program. The Soviet Union is more
advanced in polar research, but the Ucited States is still
leadinq in overall oceanographic research. France and the United
Kingdom have also engaged in comprehensive ocean prcgrame with
centralized manaqement. (HTN)](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobadxzj0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)