MANNED UNDERSEA ACTIVITIES OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES © AND UTILIZATION OF -MANNED UNDERSEA RESEARCH | SUBMERSIBLES AND HABITATS — DECEMBER 1972 INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING — Federal Council for Science and Technology INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING OF THE FEDERAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CHAIRMAN: Robert M. White, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration MEMBERS: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE: David H. Wallace, Associate Administrator for Marine Resources, NOAA ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS: Maj. Gen. J. W. Morris, Director of Civil Works DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY: David S. Potter, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research and Development DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE: lan Burgess, Director, Facilities and Planning Staff DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR: V. E. McKelvey, Director, Geological Survey DEPARTMENT OF STATE: Ambassador Donald L. McKernan, Coordinator of Ocean Affairs and Special Assistant to the Secretary DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: : Adm. Chester R. Bender, Commandant, Coast Guard ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION: James L. Liverman, Assistant General Manager for Biomedical and Environmental Research and Safety Programs ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: Stanley M. Greenfield, Assistant Administrator for Research and Monitoring NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION: Leonard Jaffe, Deputy Associate Administrator for Applications NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION: Thomas B. Owen, Assistant Director for National and International Programs SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION: David Challinor, Assistant Secretary (Science) EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: Steven N. Anastasion Mention of a commercial company or product does not constitute an endorsement by NOAA or the Interagency Committee on Marine Science and Engineering. Use for publicity or advertising purposes of information from this publication concerning pro- prietary products or the use of such products is not authorized. COVER. Habitat HYDROLAB and submersible PC-8 operational off the Bahamas. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Price $1.00. NN QA 0 0301 00325920 ? MANNED UNDERSEA ACTIVITIES OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES AND UTILIZATION OF MANNED UNDERSEA RESEARCH SUBMERSIBLES AND HABITATS DECEMBER 1972 Prepared for the INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FEDERAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY by the MANNED UNDERSEA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Washington, D.C. April 1974 OEMCO CONTENTS Page Section |. Introduction and summary ................. BUN DOSC Berrian or Sere Leica Rey Ane CA nebo gas, 6 1 Backerounc aimrncsvcrcteceuct ven cere uae nirese eeneeenc ote 1 SUimimeny Oy violins: -cn deck aeWobosendenonmene 2 Conclusions and recommendations ............... 2 Section Il. Manned undersea platforms ............ Sab 2 4 Introd UGtiOnigm ce yara-ee re en erence rea ce ark: 4 lalbitatSheneinwwetey events ee ne ea yey te Manin parate ce 4 SUBMENSIDICS Streets aumento nla heubie. rae 9 NOAA-Navy agreement on submersibles ........... 12 Scubarshiipwconceptaa tities acta sacle pate 12 Section Ill. Related studies and efforts ................ 17 IMCROGU GTO te ree rc ence sca ota tla ten cet 7 Manned undersea science and technology program of the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration see sg «tein ete 2 les neue, 17 Undersea laboratory systems study ............... 20 Manned undersea activities workshop ............. 22 University-National Oceanographic Laboratory system. 26 Section IV. Analysis of platform requirements ........... 27 Habitatgutilizationgemyamncniinin. coe setricns aere eas 27 Submersiblenuctilizatiompeusrcrrcee eee s euedrene sree ee 27 SGU Da SIMDSpneteeerea. ce sn cree teen aes eesden soe 29 SUMITMARY aera eal ots, suey rem ore t. cucipehiod be ke totorce SEs 29 Appendix A. Survey of Federal agencies ............... 31 INntrOoGUCTIONvaH SH Sete re) sah See AU We hs des eel ous 31 Survey method and questionnaire ................ 31 Programs reponted* and! findingSes.2, .i.06-- 22. «. 31 Federal agencies and programs ..............6.. 33 CONTENTS—Continued Appendix B. Descriptions of programs reported which are current or potential users of manned undersea platforms . . Appendix C. Manned undersea science and technology pro- gram FY 1972-73 LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure iL: 2. Status of U.S. habitats . Characteristics of civilian-operated U.S. submer- 1, 2: 3}; Characteristics of U.S. habitats sibles . Characteristics of U.S. Navy-operated submer- sibles . Summary of submersibles by depth class ...... . Characteristics of Canadian-operated submersibles . Undersea platforms used in fiscal year 1972 MUST AN folmoy[ietS Bak Akon anne conden anes sas Distribution of MUS&T activity Fiscal years 1972-73 MUS&T science projects through December 1972 ................. Platform distribution requirements from Univer- sity of New Hampshire study Regional needs of the scientific community for utilization of underwater laboratories (study by University of New Hampshire) Developing requirements for use of manned un- dersea platforms ..2.-.aqees esse eee . Present utilization rates (percent) of undersea platforms compared with utilization capabilities SUMVEVEC sis et oe ee ee eee . Participants in MUS&T science projects as of De- cember 1972 34 45 19 21 2 29 50 Section |. Introduction and Summary PURPOSE In view of the decreasing use of manned under- sea research submersibles and habitats (referred to herein as undersea platforms), built during the 1960’s, the Interagency Committee on Marine Sci- ence and Engineering (ICMSE) requested a study to determine the Federal requirements for manned un- dersea activities and the extent of undersea platform use. This report presents the findings of that study, conducted by the Manned Undersea Science and Technology (MUS&T) Office of the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- ministration (NOAA) during 1972. The findings were presented to the ICMSE on October 19, 1972. The study concentrated on two major aspects of the Nation’s manned undersea activities. The first aspect pertained to determining those Federal ma- rine science programs, not including military-or- iented programs, which were planning to use under- sea platforms. The second aspect pertained to the status, as of October 1972, of the use and avail- ability of manned, civilian-operated undersea re- search submersibles and habitats. These aspects were analyzed to determine the extent of undersea plat- form use that would be possible. BACKGROUND During the 1960’s, industry invested over $100 million to develop over 50 submersible systems and three habitat systems. There were many reasons for these investments, such as to demonstrate techno- logical capability in the competition for (primarily) Navy contracts and anticipation of substantial sales or leasing and greater oceanic exploration, exploita- tion, and use. The inventory and technological com- plexity of systems outstripped the needs of users, and the nonmission-oriented characteristics in many de- signs limited the utility of the systems to users. At the same time, Navy-owned systems began to meet Navy needs, and the Navy gradually withdrew support of essentially civil-oriented programs. The result was a drop in Navy lease funding from a high of ap- proximately $2.2 million in 1968 to zero in 1971. At the time there was no civil agency focus, and a period of inactivity and decreased use of undersea platforms commenced. At the same time, however, interest in using manned undersea platforms remained high and ap- peared to be increasing. A 1969 Navy study (by the Carroll committee) recorded 1,603 requests for sub» mersibles for dives (984 by Federal agencies and 619 by academic institutions) when analyzing the use of a target $3.0 million lease fund. Of the 1,603 requests, 768 were recommended through an evalua- tion and priority system. Despite this interest, the recommendations of the study were not implemented. During 1970, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institu- tion reported a survey of 346 articles published dur- ing the period up to and including 1969. As pub- lished in “Research Submersibles in Oceanography” by the Marine Technology Society, the results showed that significant work is possible in biology, fisheries, physical oceanography, geophysics, acous- tics, geology, and engineering site surveys when sub- mersibles are available and that submersibles pro- vide a unique capability for certain types of work. The report also noted that earlier efforts had sub- mersible technology, not the development of users, as the primary goal. In addition, there were sig- nificant operational deficiencies in the existing sys- tems. Many of these systems remain in today’s in- ventory. For example, oil and power companies are using several of the submersible systems; in fact four submersibles are on long-term lease for oil field work overseas. The (1972) “First Annual Report of the UNOLS Advisory Council to Federal Funding Agencies,” is- sued by the University-National Oceanographic Lab- oratory System (UNOLS), an association of 18 ma- jor facility-operating academic institutions, recom- mended one shallow and one deep submersible on each coast," and the establishment of a “charter fund.” * Discussed in section III. During August 1971, the Department of Com- merce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- istration established a Manned Undersea Science and Technology (MUS&T) program to: “Develop, pro- mote, coordinate and support a national civilian-op- erational capability for man to work under the sea to achieve better understanding, assessment, and use of the marine environment and its resources.” Dur- ing FY 1972, the MUS&T program used eight sub- mersibles and two habitats to support over 130 in- vestigators from academia, industry, and Federal agencies. During FY 1973, approximately 70 unso- licited proposals,’ which would cost approximately $4.0 million for undersea facility and related support, were received. Invitations to use undersea platforms or a solicitation would substantially increase the pro- posal flow. Studies by the University of New Hamp- shire and the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering (section III) also show a broad base of potential users. There has also been considerable interagency cooperation and interest in many MUS&T-sponsored projects. In order to review the requirements for programs which may involve manned undersea activities, the 12 member agencies of ICMSE were surveyed. The findings of that survey are summarized below. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Ten ICMSE member agencies reported programs; 33 programs were of a civil nature and 13 were from the Navy. In general, the survey indicated a current need for the platforms, increasing future needs, and problems in matching users, platforms, and funds. Of the 36 U.S. submersibles surveyed as of Oc- tober 1972, there are only 13 civilian-operated plat- forms without diver lockout’ capability and three with lockout capability which were considered part of the usable civil inventory. Relative to the extent of utilization of the usable civilian undersea plat- forms as of October 1972 (prior to the study), the following estimates were made: Percent Submersibles without lockout .......... 40 Submersibles with lockout ..........000. 67 Habitats: cidediesceaceckswssede eesvavsevevvevceesssee Si Based on the potential uses of the usable civilian platforms as extrapolated from current and planned programs of the Federal agencies, the use of cur- ? As of October 20, 1972. 2 Lockout is a term used to describe being able to in- ternally pressurize a submersible’s compartment (sep- arately from the operator's compartment) to a level equal to external pressure so that divers could egress into the water (within diver depth limitations). rent platforms in FY 1974-75 (as estimated in the summer of 1972) could, if adequately funded, be raised to the levels estimated below: Percent Submersibles without lockout ........ 86 Submersibles with lockout .............. 167 habitats eseectrt cree sneee tes tastarecedsare 81 An independent survey by the University of New Hampshire in late FY 1972 of platform require- ments of the U.S. scientific diving community also has an impact on the extent of platform utilization by Federal agencies. Taking this into account, full utilization of the usable submersibles without lockout would result and requirements for utilization of present habitats would be exceeded. In addition, there would be needs for additional submersibles with lockout capability. Another requirement which emerged in the Federal survey (and also in the University of New Hampshire study) was the need for scuba support ships * and interest in the use of a mobile (self-propelled in its deployed area) habitat. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Assimilation and analysis of the information from Federal agencies with civil programs generally in- dicate a substantial body of potential users in addi- tion to the current users. However, the current lack of use of available platforms can be attributed to a combination of reasons including: Short-duration needs for the platforms; their excessive cost due to mobilization and demobilization requirements if used on a project-by-project basis; and the need for a broader appreciation of the capabilities of this tech- nology in some agencies. Therefore, a mechanism is needed to: —cCoordinate the use of national undersea plat- forms (present and future) to realize eco- nomics of operations and applications and pro- vide continuity of support. —Identify the need for these platforms and pro- vide support for improvements in platforms as required in support of projects. —Assist Federal agencies in planning the use of platforms and gaining access to platforms. —Provide for replacement of platforms and new technological capabilities when needed for pro- grams. *A scuba support ship is used to transport and sup- port scuba divers diving for relatively short periods of time to depths currently limited to less than approxi- mately 200 feet. Of the three alternative methods for accomplish- ing these—(1) establishing a new coordinating com- mittee; (2) expanding the functions of existing or related interagency groups; and (3) designating a lead agency—the designation of a lead civil agency was adopted by ICMSE. ICMSE also recommended that the lead agency make platform data available to current and potential users, explore the uses with other agencies, continue the accumulation of require- ments and utilization data, defer new systems devel- opment until existing platforms are fully utilized or declared technically unsuitable, and transfer avail- able technology to the civil sector whenever pos- sible. The lead agency assignment was to the Na- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to be performed by its Manned Undersea Science and Technology Office. After presentation of the findings and recommen- dations of the study to ICMSE on October 19, 1972, ICMSE recorded its conclusions on page 33 of its report, entitled “Report of the Annual Review—Fed- eral Ocean Program for Fiscal Year 1974” as follows: “Title: Utilization of Manned Undersea Submer- sibles and Habitats “Problem: Of the 50-60 submersibles produced over the last ten years, only 10-15 remain usable. Utilization of these is estimated at about 30 per- cent. The role of the Federal Government in as- sessing the need for submersibles and habitats and in assuring the continued availability of those considered necessary to meet marine research re- quirements needs to be clarified. “A preliminary survey of ICMSE member agen- cies indicates that many have programs which po- tentially could benefit from the use of submer- sibles. However, among the civilian agencies, FY 1973 funds specifically earmarked for leasing them are included only in the NOAA budget as part of the Manned Undersea Science and Technology Program. “Proposed Action: YCMSE recommends _ that NOAA, through its Manned Undersea Science and Technology Office, provide a continuing assess- ment of the Federal civilian agency needs for submersibles and habitats, and coordinate the utilization of available commercial and Navy as- sets by the civilian Federal agencies.” Section Il. Manned Undersea Platforms INTRODUCTION In developing the study, undersea platforms were originally defined as existing submersibles and hab- itats available for operations or held in such con- dition that reactivation was feasible. Primary em- phasis was placed on those systems available for lease or otherwise not fully committed to the spon- sor’s or owner’s missions. A further stipulation was that to be considered, a system had to be certified by either the Navy or the American Bureau of Shipping (or capable of being certified) and that it be U.S. owned. During the study it became obvious that there was another type of platform—a support ship for scuba divers—as implied by responses to the ICMSE survey, by the University of New Hampshire study, and by the output of the National Academies of Sci- ences and Engineering Manned Undersea Activities Workshop. The closest to this is now the R/V MISS FREEPORT, operated by the Marine Bio- medical Institute of the University of Texas. HABITATS Table 1 summarizes the characteristics of the eight existing U.S. habitats, and table 2 their present status. Only one is in active use,’ the Perry Foundation’s HYDROLAB now at Freeport, Bahamas. The Puerto Rico Undersea Research and Development Company (PRURDC) and the Marine Resources Development Foundation’s (MRDF) PRINUL* became operation- al during late 1972. PRINUL is a state-of-the-art platform which is more of an undersea laboratory than a living quarters-type habitat. Built by Perry Submarine Builders, the laboratory corrects many ° As of October 20, 1972. * Though the actual habitat of the PRINUL program is called LA CHALUPA, the term PRINUL is used here- after for the habitat. Table 1. Characteristics of U.S. habitats Name Owner Depth Personnel Life support Breath- Comfort control ing gas Present Emer- Personnel use Capability Typical Maximum gency Heat Cool Humidity Ft Ft Days Days Days AEGIR Makai Range ................ 50-500 580 4-6 14 20 1 Mix Yes No Yes EDALHAB University of 42 50 2-3 Tf Y — Ajr Yes No No New Hampshire. HYDROLAB Perry Foundation .. 42 100 3-4 7 7 3 Air No Yes Yes LAKELAB University of 30 — 2 — — — Ajr No No No Michigan. PRINUL PRURDC & MRDF* 50 100 4 14 14 2 Air No No Yes PORTALAB University of 30 a 2 — — — Ajr No No No Rhode Island. SEALAB | WES SINAVV ence eee: — 200 4 ila — — Mix —_ —_— —_— TEKTITE General Electric . 50 100 45 1428 60 3 Mix No Yes Yes *PRURDC: Puerto Rican Undersea Research and Development Company. MRDF: Marine Resources Development Foundation. Table 1. Characteristics of U.S. habitats—(Continued) Name Decompression Size Volume Weight Surface support Ete Lb AEGIR ................... Internal-surface Two 8x15’ cylinders and 2,965 449,000 72’ support ship HOLOKAI 10’ wetroom on 8x42’ for power and communica- barge. tions; otherwise self suf- ficient. EDALHAB ......... Surface chamber One 8’x11’ cylinder 560 28,000 Shore or R/V LULU. Car- ried and lowered by LULU. HYDROLAB .... Internal-bottom One 8’x16’ cylinder with 730 134,000 23’ unmanned life support lockout trunk. buoy; daily resupply by small boat. LAKELAB ......... a= 10’ hexagonal, 7’ high 400+ 9,000 Shore; intended as part of potential larger system. PRINUL .............. Internal-surface Two 8’x19’ cylinders inside 3,150 267,000 36* unmanned life support or bottom. 20’x48’ barge. buoy; tows at 5 knots. PORTALAB ... — 7'x11’ wide ‘‘mailbox”’ 143 —_ Shore. SEALAB | ........... —_ 9’x40’ cylinder = — Integrated with a ‘‘Texas tower.”’ TEKTITE ............ Surface chamber Two 12’x18’ vertical cylin- 1,975 310,000 Shore ders on 15’x34’ base. Table 2. Status of U.S. habitats Name Owner Location Remarks AEGIRGge eee MaKall RANGE is.n.cscean neenssinseioace Hawaii. se _ Inactive; last used by Navy during 1971 at 200 ft. in Hawaii. EDALHAB. .................. University of New Hampshire . (With owner) Inactive; last used by NOAA-MUS&T during project FLARE in January- February 1972. HYDROLAB Perry Foundation .. . Freeport, In use. Under NOAA-MUS&T lease Bahamas. through June 1973. PRINUL ... Puerto Rico Undersea R&D Co. and Puerto Rico Operational fall 1972; NOAA-MUS&T Marine Resources Development scheduled for nine diver missions Foundation. through June 1973. SEALAB I?............... U.S. Navy . Panama City, Used for Navy training at ‘‘Texas Fla. Tower” location. t TEKTITE ........... ee General? Electric; 2... Philadelphia, Inactive; last used for TEKTITE II Pa. during 1970 at 50 ft. in Virgin Islands. LAKELAB ° . University of Michigan 0. Lake Michigan New; periodic use and checkout by Univ. of Michigan; planned as part or larger system; small for opera- tional use. PORTALAB * . University of Rhode Island ...... Kingston, R.I. ......... New; periodic use and checkout by Univ. of Rhode Island; small for operational use. ‘ SEALAB I is not considered usable for scientific missions. * Considered of very limited use for scientific missions. of the deficiencies of previous habitats designed for use in its depth range. The Navy SEALAB I is currently mounted below a “Texas Tower” located in the Gulf of Mexico off the Naval Coastal Systems Laboratory at Panama City, Fla. It is used for training by the State Uni- versity of Florida and is not suitable for undersea research. AEGIR and TEKTITE, which were early ventures away from the living-space concept of habitats toward a more laboratory-oriented concept, are inactive due to the reorientation of Navy pro- grams a few years ago and the former lack of a civil agency focal point and moderate funding source for continued operations. EDALHAB was designed and built by the Engineering Design and Analysis Laboratory of the University of New Hampshire in the late 1960’s. It is less sophisticated than HY- DROLAB, AEGIR, or TEKTITE.. EDALHAB te- quires either shore support or surface support such as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s R/V LULU (mother ship to the submersible ALVIN). Two other new habitats have come into being re- cently, the University of Michigan’s LAKELAB and the University of Rhode Island’s PORTALAB. Transportable habitat PRINUL (Puerto Rican International Underwater Laboratory) owned and operated by the Marine Resources Devel- Puerto Rico. opment Foundation Habitat HYDROLAB being lifted from the dock into the sea for towing to an operation- al_ site. Habitat AEGIR at the Makai facility in Hawaii. LAKELAB and PORTALAB were both student proj- ects and are small, Spartan, and dependent on shore support. It is questionable if either would be readily adaptable to the saturation diving missions generally conducted from habitats. All existing habitats can be considered transport- able, that is, they can be moved from place to place with varying degrees of difficulty. However, none is mobile—capable of changing location by perhaps 1 or 2 miles under its own power during a mission. There are only five habitats (AEGIR, EDALHAB, HYDROLAB, PRINUL, and TEKTITE) known to be able to support saturation diving and equipped at this time for research and investigations. Two others (LAKELAB and PORTALAB) may be usable for special operations. For inventory and statistical purposes, it was decided to consider LAKELAB, PORTALAB, and other small chambers as_ the equivalent capability of one habitat, making a total of six habitats. This “one” and two others (EDAL- HAB and PRINUL) will have been used about one- third of their available time. Two habitats (AEGIR and TEKTITE) have not been used since mid-1971. The HYDROLAB is being used by NOAA- Habitat TEKTITE Il MUSA&T, and there is sufficient interest in it to fully utilize available time. Assuming approximately 150 useful bottom days per year, the overall average utilization of the six platforms is approximately one- third. Many of the more valuable investigations, which are ideally conducted from habitats or undersea laboratories, involve gaining knowledge of contin- uous environmental processes. These investigations often require the ability to revisit a site periodically over a period of time (frequently a year or more). Thus, the lack of regular scheduling for access at investigation sites reduced the availability of the platforms to investigators. SUBMERSIBLES Tables 3 and 4 list 36 U.S. submersibles with depth capabilities of 600 feet or greater whose ex- istence and status could be documented. Of these, 26 are civilian owned and operated, one is U.S. Navy owned and civilian operated, and nine are Navy owned and operated. Table 5 summarizes the vehicle categories by three operating depth classes. Those 26 civilian-owned and -operated are the sur- vivors of the numerous submersibles built during the 1960’s building boom, with a few built in recent years that were more mission oriented in their de- sign. Others have been either scrapped or, as in the case of the BEN FRANKLIN (table 6), sold outside the United States. Table 6 lists characteristics of Canadian-oper- ated submersibles. Several Canadian firms have es- tablished U.S. subsidiaries to facilitate leasing to U.S. interests. Although there is no formally stated or legislated requirement for submersibles used in civil programs to be either Navy- or American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)-certified (or capable of being certified), certification is an accepted prerequisite because of Table 3. Characteristics of civilian-operated U.S. submersibles Name Owner Status* Maximum oper- Submerged speed Life support ating depth Cruising Maximum Endurance Normal Max. Ft Knots Knots Hr Man-hr Man-hr ASHERAHD o35cs-oo.ccdectacscssccccdiee Techoceans O,N 600 1 35 12 48 48 SEA RANGER . ...Werne Engineering O,N 600 — 4 60 30 120 SUBMANAUT . ... submarine Services N,S 600 5 10 100 48 48 TECHDIVER oooeo.cccecccccccsscssveee. International Underwater O,N 600 2 4 4 12 18 Contractors. PG Sie ee EN Oe eee Perry Oceans Services 0,C 800 1 s} 8 48 48 SHELF DIVER . in do. 0,L,C 800 2 3 6 40 60 BENTHOS V Garrison Diving & N,S 1,000 2 3} 4 96 96 Salvage Co. GU PRY ieee ee Sun Shipbuilding & 0,C 1,000 3 3 56 56 56 Drydock Co. NEKTON ALPHA |... General Oceanographics N,O 1,000 2 3:5 6 10 48 NEKTON BETA & GAMMA do. 0,C 1,000 2 35 6 48 48 SEA LINK . e ... Smithsonian Institution 0,C 1,000 1 2 8 72 72 SEA RAY Submarine Research S,N 1,000 2 6 5 16 32 & Development. SNOOPER oie csscscssscccsscshicrsians Sea Graphic O,N 1,000 1 3 6 10 10 PCO ane eo re eae Taylor Diving & 0,C 1,200 —_— 4 12 72 72 Salvage Co. STARG er en Se ee General Dynamics O,N 1,200 1 3 8 48 48 OPSUB .......... Ocean Systems L,Cc 1,200 2 —_— —_— 24 26 DEEP DIVER . _Perry Oceans Services N.S 1,335 2 3} 4 40 60 BEAVER IV 28. icc2f5.005....Soscctinlio International Underwater 0O,C 2,000 2.5 5 12 48 144 Contractors. DEEPSTAR 2000 .......................... Westinghouse 0,C 2,000 1 3 8 36 108 STAR Ill . 6 Scripps Institution S,N 2,000 2 SHS) 6 120 120 DEEPSTAR 4000 . _Westinghouse S,N 4,000 0.5 3} 8 12 48 DOWB) 625 ccccccctnae. .Santa Barbara City S,N 6,500 0.5 25 26 195 195 College. Lockheed 0,C 8,000 2 4 18 192 204 U.S. Navy 0,C 12,000 1 2 Tae 72 ALUMINAUT ..Reynolds International S,N * 15,000 1.5 SS) 24 336 502 * O—Operational, whether employed or not; C—certified; S—in storage, either whole or partially disassembled. ? Approximately 8,000 without new hemiheads. N—not certified; L—on long-term lease overseas; Table 3. Characteristics of civilian-operated U.S. submersibles—(Continued) Name Crew Observers Payload Length Weight View TV Manipu- Submerged-to- in air ports cameras lators surface communication Lb Ft Lb ASHERAH if 1 200 17 —_ 6 (0) O Citizens band radio, underwater telephone SEA RANGER 1 3 2,200 17 16,000 9 ce) 2— SUBMANAUT 2 6 6,000 44 108,000 8 0 O Radio TECHDIVER 1 1 200 22 5,500 17 1 O Radio, underwater telephone PC-8 1 1 200 19 11,000 9 0 1 Citizens band radio, underwater telephone SHELF DIVER 1 3 1,200 23 17,000 25 0 ie} do. BENTHOS V 1 1 400 18 4,200 6 ie} 1 Underwater telephone GUPPY 1 1 — 11 5,800 3 ie} 1 On tether cable NEKTON ALPHA 1 1 50 15 4,500 20 0 1 Citizens band radio, underwater telephone NEKTON BETA & GAMMA 1 1 350 15 4,500 17 0 1 do. SEA LINK 1 4 700 24 17,900 4 1 (0) do. SEA RAY 1 il 350 20 8,429 8 1 1 Radio SNOOPER 1 1 200 12 4,400 —_— 0 o— PC-9 1 2 2,000 25 21,000 21 —_— —_- — STAR II 1 1 500 17 10,000 6 ce) O Radio, underwater telephone OPSUB 1 1 — 18 10,400 il! 1 — On tether, underwater telephone DEEP DIVER 1 3 1,200 23 16,550 20 1 O Citizens band radio, underwater telephone BEAVER IV 2. Za 1,387 24 27,740 9 a 2 FM radio, underwater telephone DEEPSTAR 2000 a 2 500 20 17,500 2 il 1 do. STAR Ill il 1 970 25 20,000 5 72 1 Citizens band radio, underwater telephone DEEPSTAR 4000 1 2 500 18 18,000 <} 0 1 FM radio, underwater telephone DOWB 2 1 1,050 i7/ 20,000 2 1 1 Radio, underwater telephone DEEP QUEST 2 2 7,000 40 112,000 2 4 2 do. ALVIN 1 2 1,500 23 32,000 3 1 1 do. ALUMINAUT 3} 4 4,000 51 146,000 4 2 2) do. Table 4. Characteristics of U.S. Navy-operated submersibles * Name Owner Maximum Submerged speed Life support operating Obser- depth Cruising Maximum Endurance Normal Maximum Crew vers Ft Knots Knots Hr Man-hr Man-hr MAHAKAI U.S. Navy 600 1/5 3 6 24 36 1 1 NEMO do. 600 1 al 8 8 16 1 1 DEEP VIEW do. 215500 125 5 6 48 48 1 1 DSRV 1&2 do. 5,000 3 5 12 _ — 3 24 SEA CLIFF & TURTLE do. 6,500 1 2.5 8 100 107 2 1 TRIESTE il do. 20,000 2 3 12 72 108 1 2 * All operational and certified. Other U.S. Navy-owned and -operated undersea vehicles are NR-1 and DOLPHIN. NR-1 is a nuclear powered, undersea research and ocean engineering vehicle. DOLPHIN (AGS-555) is used as an ASW research submarine and is not considered readily applicable to civilian research. *Currently Navy certified to 100 ft. 10 Table 4. Characteristics of U.S. Navy-operated submersibles—(Continued) Weight View TV Submerged-to- Name Payload Length in air ports cameras Manipulators surface communication Lb Ft Lb MAHAKAI 1,200 19 10,600 1 — — —_— NEMO = 6 —= 1 —_— 10} Underwater telephone, UHF radio. DEEP VIEW 500 16 12,000 1 — 10) do. DSRV 1 & 2 4,300 50 73,900 3 3 0 do. SEA CLIFF & TURTLE 700 26 48,000 5 1 1 do. TRIESTE Il 7,500 78 130,000 1 3 1 do. Table 5. Summary of submersibles by depth class Depth Operational, Operational, Not Stored or US.N. class Total no lockout lockout certified uncertain owned 600-2,000 ft. . «one... 21 10 2 10 4 3 2,000-6,000 ft. ............... 6 1 1 2 2 5} COO OSIM asescsetnes 7 2 (0) 2 2 3 MO tall pend ae Vn i ks 34 13 3 14 8 9 JOIN a col Table 6. Characteristics of Canadian-operated submersibles * Name Owner Maximum Submerged speed Life support operating depth Cruising Maximum Endurance Normal Maximum Crew Ft Knots Knots Hr Man-hr Man-hr SEA OTTER * Arctic Marine 1,500 il iS 6 48 48 PISCES I * International 1,800 1 2 9 18 76 1 Hydrodynamics, Inc. BEN FRANKLIN * Horton Maritime 2,000 2.5 4 32 - 6,048 2 Industries. SDL-1 Canadian Navy 2,000 1 2 8 40 204 1 AUGUSTE PICCARD*® Horton Maritime 2,500 6 6.3 10 —_— 2,160 5 Industries. PISCES Ill International 3,500 1 2 6 18 76 1 Hydrodynamics, Inc. PISCES IV Canadian Navy 6,000 1 2 8 — 108 1 Obser- Weight View TV Submerger-to-surface Name vers Payload Length in air ports cameras Manipulators communication Lb Ft Lb SEA OTTER? 2 200 14 6,300 4 0 1 — PISCES 1° 2 450 il7/ 15,000 2 1 1 nderwater telephone, UHF radio BEN FRANKLIN ® 4 10,000 48 at25 27 1 —_— do. SDL-1 5 3,100 25 28,600 11 1 2 do. AUGUSTE PICCARD: 40 40,000 93 S165 46 1 0 do. PISCES Hil 2 1,100 20 24,000 3 1 2 do. PISCES IV 2 1,200 20 21,000 3 1 1 do. * Operational and certified unless noted. * Operational, not certified. * Uncertain. * Tons. 11 the potential risk to human life and the lack of ade- quate rescue capabilities. Thus, none of the seven (six submersibles without diver lockout and one with lockout) uncertified submersibles was considered in the national inventory for the purposes of this study. Of the first 13 operable and with no lockout, three (PC-3, PC-9, and OP-SUB)) are under long-term lease overseas. Of the three lockout variety, one (SHELF DIVER) is under long-term lease overseas. Of the U.S. Navy’s nine submersibles, two (DSRV-1I and DSRV-2) are special-purpose rescue vehicles and one (DEEP VIEW) is in the process of being certified. DEEP VIEW has a design depth capability of 1,500 feet, but is currently certified to 100 feet. The USS DOLPHIN, an antisubmarine warfare research submarine, and the NR-/ were not listed among Navy submersibles. There are also four U.S. submersibles without lockout (STAR III, DEEPSTAR 4000, DOWB, and ALUMINAUT) in storage or uncertain status. STAR III was given to Scripps Institution of Ocean- ography and is in storage. It has not been surveyed to determine the effort and cost necessary to make it operational. DEEPSTAR 4000 is in storage and can be reactivated. DOWB (Deep Ocean Work Boat) was recently given to the Santa Barbara Community College for use in its marine technician program. Plans for its use at sea are uncertain. ALUMINAUT is in storage and partially disassembled. Of the 10 certified, operable U.S. submersibles without lockout that are not under long-term lease overseas, the Navy-owned and Woods Hole Ocean- ographic Institution (WHOI)-operated ALVIN is used essentially 100% of its available time; four (NEKTON BETA and GAMMA, DEEPSTAR 2000, and DEEP QUEST) are used an estimated one-third of their available time; and no use of five remaining could be documented. ALVIN is funded by a combination of Navy, National Science Foun- dation, WHOI, and charter funds (charter users have included NOAA/MUS&T). The four other vehicles used were funded by a combination of Federal, pri- vate, and commercial charters. Federal leasing was primarily by the NOAA/MUS&T program, at times in cooperation with other agencies (such as the National Science Foundation). The Perry PC-8 was leased four times for the NOAA-MUS&T program during FY 1972 prior to an overseas lease through early 1973. Of the operable U.S. lockout submersibles, the SEA LINK is used essentially 100% of the time in the Smithsonian Institution-Harbour Branch Foun- dation Biological and Geological Oceanographic Re- search Program. SEA LINK time was made avail- 12 able to NOAA/MUS&T for training in support of the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Project. BEAVER was not used at all, but was sold to International Underwater Contractors. SHELF DIVER is on long- term lease overseas. Unable to be certified, DEEP DIVER will be operated to depths not exceeding 100 feet in support of the PRINUL habitat. NOAA-NAVY AGREEMENT ON SUBMERSIBLES NOAA and the Navy are negotiating an agree- ment which will provide the MUS&T program with periodic access to Navy-owned and -operated sub- mersibles for civil programs. A major provision of the agreement is that such access will not be in direct competition with U.S. civilian-owned and -op- erated submersibles. In addition to the Navy making available periods of time during which NOAA/MUS&T can schedule operations, the planned agreement will also include provisions for opportunity dives by civilian investi- gators that are supported by other Federal agencies. Since the facilities were acquired and are operated in direct support of Navy missions, it is unlikely that large amounts of time will be available. However, the agreement is expected to provide civilian investi- gators with access to the excellent and unique cap- abilities of many Navy submersibles. SCUBA SHIP CONCEPT The study’s survey of the Federal agencies re- vealed many requirements for the use of scuba divers in shallow waters, generally less than 100 feet. This indicates the possible need for a scuba diver support ship. There is no ship designated and operated to ful- fill this need. The closest facility to a ship equipped specifically to support divers is the R/V MISS FREEPORT, which has been used by the Marine Bio-Medical Institute of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston as the launch ship for research submersibles. The scuba ship would be equipped specifically te support biologists and geolo- gists using scuba techniques. Such a ship could support “bounce” diving (diving without decompres- sion) and, by including hyperbaric chambers, per- sonnel transfer capsules, and similar equipment, sup- port saturation diving from the surface. The concept requires further investigation, but is raised because of its apparent application to a number of programs. It could obviate the need for a submersible or habi- tat in some research programs. Such a ship could also function as the support ship for small research submersibles of the PC-8 or NEKTON class and provide a complete base of investigations when high mobility is required. serene tt en mit oo ale me 1 oe / { ; bottom, DEEPSTAR Top, DEEPSTAR 2000: 4000. 13 Submersible NEKTON BETA on support ship SEA MARK. Two-person submersible NEKTON GAMMA. 14 MLOFOS; = Submersible DEEP QUEST and its support ship TRANSQUEST. DEEP QUEST at work with manipulators in shallow water near Catalina Island. F git Submersible PC-8. Scuba diver carrying photographic equipment and instrumentation to the sea floor. 16 Section Ill. Related Studies and Efforts INTRODUCTION As can be seen from the undersea platform utiliza- tion findings and the program descriptions in ap- pendix C, the major Federal agency supporting U.S. civilian-operated platforms is NOAA/MUS&T. Two additional MUS&T-sponsored efforts which relate to platform utilization are: a study of the impact of scientific requirements on undersea laboratory design conducted by the University of New Hamp- shire, and a Manned Undersea Activity Workshop conducted by the Ocean Affairs Board of the Na- tional Academy of Sciences and the Marine Board of the National Academy of Engineering. Other fac- tors in platform utilization are the recommendations by the University-National Oceanographic Labora- tory System (UNOLS) that ALVIN be designated a National Facility and that a lease fund admin- istered by UNOLS be established by Federal fund- ing agencies. UNOLS has also indicated that one deep and one shallow submersible could be used on each coast. MANNED UNDERSEA SCIENCE AND TECH- NOLOGY PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOS- PHERIC ADMINISTRATION NOAA’s Manned Undersea Science and Tech- nology (MUS&T) Office was established in early FY 1972 to develop, coordinate, and support a na- tional, civilian operational capability for man to work under the sea in support of essential programs to achieve a better use, assessment, and understand- ing of the marine environment and its resources. MUS&T has strengthened the national base for the systematic pursuit of a nonmilitary manned under- sea program. In addition to establishing liaison with concerned agencies, such as the U.S. Navy, En- vironmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, National Science Foundation, U.S. Coast Guard, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and Army Corps of Engineers, 12 projects utilizing eight different submersibles, three habitats, and over 240 scientists were funded in FY 17 1972-73 through December 1972. Operations were conducted, many with the support of other agencies, on all three U.S. coasts, in Belize (British Hon- duras), in the Bering Sea and Puerto Rico as shown in figure 1. Table 7 shows the platforms utilized, and table 8 the distribution of resources and activi- ties in| FY 1972. The MUS&T projects provided the opportunity for scientists and engineers from academia, industry, The Navy’s submersible ALVIN, operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Table 7. Undersea platforms used in fiscal year 1972 MUS&T projects Owner Date Dives Platform used (number) Location Purpose ALVIN .. ...Woods Hole 10/71 13 Straits of Florida. Geology. Oceanographic Institution. ALVING oe a do. 6/72 17 Hudson Canyon. Geology, pollution. , DEEP DIVER ..Perry Biiz2. 29 Gulf of Maine. Fishery biology. Oceanographics. DEEP QUEST ooo essssesesssssssssssseee Lockheed .............. 6-7/72 8 Southern California. Pollution Survey, geology. DEEPSTAR 2000 . Westinghouse ...... 7/72 6 New York Bight. Pollution survey. EDALHAB? |... University of 2-4/72 106 Florida, southeast Biology, geology, New Hampshire. coast. reef ecology. HYDROLAB 2? one Perry ialyiyAt 201 Grand Bahama Biology, reef Oceanographics. 5-6/72 Island. ecology. NEKTON BETA 0.00. ...General a2) 7A 30 British Honduras. Geology. Oceanographics. NEKTON GAMMA ........ do. 6/72 16 Gulf of Mexico. Reef survey. PCB ee can conierrnenmsoniairics Perry 9/71 33 Gulf of Maine. Fishery survey. Oceanographics. PC-8 do. 10/71 13. New York Bight. Pollution survey. PC-8 do. TAHT Al 7 Bahama Banks. Geology. PC-8 do. 2/72 4 Bering Sea, Alaska. Pacific walrus study. * Habitat. Table 8. Distribution. of MUS&T activity coordinate their use on projects sponsored by MUSA&T jointly with other NOAA components, such MUS&T program budget, FY 1972: erin. as Sea Grant, National Marine Fisheries Service, mhOta Met scs tener hired = : 0 ; F : Geraci arants $1,129,000 Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Labora- tories, as well as with other Federal agencies in- Contract-grant distribution: ? cluding Navy, Coast Guard, National Science Foun- Aeaieinla a coven Bg dation, and Environmental Protection Agency. To achieve maximum cost effectiveness, multipurpose Major-purpose distribution: rograms involving several organizations were im- Submersible lease-support ............... 50.7% i 6 ted h 8 A a ; y Ae Habitat lence support 327%, plemented whenever possible, particularly when Studies and analyses es ccc 26.6% such programs took place in a single geographical Investigators by source: Liat art GOVT WG Uae ee reer sca 39.6% The technology aspect of the program was mainly gue Se aeate eas aoe concerned with utilization and modification of avail- FOPEI RM ccc cecccssssesnssevnesvusnnnnvtnesnsetsseneieesee 2.0% able submersibles, habitats-laboratories, and instru- and Government to gain access to the undersea en- vironment for scientific studies and pollution and resource investigations. These projects were con- ducted in support of coastal zone conservation and management, surveying and assessment of living and nonliving resources, assessment of ocean dumping and environmental pollution problems, support of fisheries resource assessment and development, and marine mammal research. Because of the availability of submersibles and habitats developed by industry and the Navy over the past several years, it was possible to supply and 18 mentation required to support the projects. The transfer of technology by industry, academia, and the Navy will continue to receive major emphasis, particularly in the diver support area. There are still many areas where technological innovation is required for man to realize the full potential of the undersea environment: improved equipment to meas- ure diver physiological effects; improved life-sup- port; improved navigation and communications equipment to increase efficiency and safety of diver operations; improved and new types of sampling and analytic equipment; and improved operational capabilities in submersible and undersea laboratory systems. Arctic Experiment Northeast Fisheries New York Bight Hudson Canyon New York Bahama Banks FLARE Straits of Resolute Bay Canada 8 Submersibles Used - 261 Dives 3 Habitats Used - 740 Excursions 240 Scientists Participated California Border Lands Flower Garden Reefs - Texas Pacific Walrus Florida Bering Sea Alaska PRINUL Glovers SP Reef Br. Honduras Figure 1. Fiscal years 1972-73 MUS&T science projects through December 1972. Puerto Rico ibe Wet swimmer transport vehicle SHARK HUNTER. 19 Approximately 70 unsolicited proposals have been received by the MUS&T Office during July-October 1972. The proposals are from academia, industry, and Government. The total funding requirement represented is in excess of $4 million (with about $2.8 million for platform leases). The MUS&T fund- ing policy is that general funding is used to provide access to facilities and to pay special costs associ- ated with the operation and not salaries of primary investigators. If proposals were solicited or general invitations to use certain platforms were issued, there would be a substantial increase in responses and re- quests for platform utilization. UNDERSEA LABORATORY SYSTEMS STUDY During late FY 1972, the MUS&T Office awarded a grant to the Engineering Design and Analysis Laboratory of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to determine “The Impact of the Require- ments of the U.S. Scientific Diving Community on the System Design, Operation and Management of Undersea Laboratories.” * The following specific objectives were established: ° The final report was delivered in January 1973. Lockout submersible PC-15C with divers. —To identify and classify the types of research and development programs that would use the systems —To classify the potential missions into groups of missions with each group requiring similar capabilities —To estimate the utilization rate of systems by groups —To survey the state-of-the-art of habitats and habitat technology —To evaluate systems against mission require- ments —To develop preliminary designs of selected concepts The effort involved visiting recognized scientists throughout the United States and concentrated on undersea laboratories (habitats with scientific work space). At the same time, the utilization of scien- tific divers and submersibles was also reviewed. The scientists interviewed receive support from many Federal agencies. The results of the UNH effort indicated that, if the programs were imple- mented, there would be a need for two submersibles without lockout, one submersible with lockout, three transportable habitats, and two scuba’ ships in addi- tion to the currently accessible facilities (HYDRO- LAB, PRINUL, ALVIN, and SEA LINK). The geographic distribution of these facility requirements is shown in figure 2. A distinction is made between transportable and mobile habitats: A transportable habitat can be readily moved between missions, whereas a mobile habitat is one which can move under its own power during a manned mission. There is a general indication that, as utilization increases, there will be a need for mobility in addition to transportability. With respect to the undersea laboratory, figure 3 shows the anticipated regional utilization and the na- ture of the underwater research. “Prime days” are the estimated days per year which could be utilized; “po- tential days” represent usage which would be antici- pated to follow shortly thereafter if the laboratory were in place. The UNH recommended a Northeast system, a Pacific system, and a Florida-based system to satisfy estimated needs. The needs of the svuth- east Caribbean region and gulf region are partly serviced by HYDROLAB and PRINUL,; however, the study noted the HYDROLAB’s depth limita- tion and PRINUL’s restriction to Puerto Rican waters. & Mobile Undersea Small Submersible 9G Scuba Support Laborato @ (100° Depth capability) Ship | ee Southwest Region ae . co EERE iy — hd @ 2 Southeast 3 ss @ Caribbean Gulf of Mexico Beeler ju Region Ni Figure 2. Platform distribution requirements ) from University of New Hampshire study. ¥ ; Predicted Annual Utilization Depth Nature of ee Distribution Research 150 Process Northeast ace 50 Survey 0 | 10 eter efron] a] Process East 100 Central 50 Survey 0 150 Process Survey Southeast 100 Other Caribbean 50 0 me 150 Survey Gulf ji Other ‘ Process 150 Process Pacific 100 Southwest Bi Survey Survey Process | 150 Pacific 100 Northwest 50 0 Figure 3. Regional needs of the scientific community for utilization of underwater laboratories (study by University of New Hampshire). Zl Scuba ships are indicated for the east central and Gulf of Mexico regions because of their utility to scientific divers and the physiographic character of the regions. In both regions it is frequently neces- sary to travel 10 or 15 miles offshore to be able to dive to depths exceeding 50 feet. Here, the use of a ship, rather than a habitat, to support divers is indicated. MANNED UNDERSEA ACTIVITIES WORKSHOP Responding to a recommendation of the National Academy of Science (NAS)-National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Committee Advisory to NOAA, a joint study by NAS Ocean Affairs Board and the NAE Marine Board was conducted to re- view and assess civil manned undersea activities. The NAS-NAE assembled a group of approximately 60 persons (about one-third each from Government, academia, and industry) in a workshop to answer the following seven questions: —What should be the current and projected na- tional civil goals for undersea science and tech- nology requiring the presence of man, either directly or indirectly, both in the short and long term? —wWhat are, and what should be, the roles of the U.S. Government, academia, and industry with regard to the development of this undersea science and technology to support the national civil goals? MANNED UNDERSEA ACTIVITY IN PERSPECTIVE Manned undersea activity is not a new concept. For more than 200 years, man has salvaged wrecks and has built structures under water. Shortly after World War Il, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) became available, providing an inexpensive and simple capability for underwater activity. Underwater salvage and construction divers were soon joined by scientific and recreational divers. By the early 1960's the first practical deep sub- mersibles were in use in the United States and in France. The development of deep submergence ve- hicles (DSV's) provided the needed platforms for extending manned undersea activity beyond practi- cal skin diving depths. The rapid growth of skin diving and submersible activity since World War Il was fueled by military needs and scientific and industrialized work capa- bilities. During the past few years, industry has con- tinued to work in deeper water, farther from shore, and in more hostile environments. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 22 —What are the ways, including alternatives to the presence of man, to achieve these goals; and if man is primary, what are the alternate modes for his presence? —What are the criteria by which programs to fulfill these goals can be evaluated? —What limits the effectiveness of man in under- water science and technology programs? (Le., institutional, technological, physiological, etc.) —What are critical scientific and technical de- velopments which may provide further break- throughs? —What programs are necessary and feasible for significant manned undersea activities under aus- tere, constrained, and ideal budget situations? The workshop was co-chaired by Dr. Alfred Kiel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Dr. Adrian Richards of Lehigh University and held from October 17 through October 21, 1972. Par- ticipants were carefully selected to obtain balanced representation by organizations, background, and orientation toward manned undersea activities. By this means, it was the intention of NAS-NAE to insure an unbiased report specific and realistic enough to be acted upon. The Executive Summary section of the NAS-NAE study entitled “Civil Manned Undersea Activity: An Assessment” is pre- sented below in its entirety. Today the number of operational DSV’s is con- siderably less than in the late 1960's. Only one company in the United States produces DSV’s regu- larly, and only five commercial firms operate DSV’s. Most submersibles are in semiretirement. The U.S. Navy with 11 DSV’s is the largest world owner of these craft. In the diving community, advances are still being made. But dives deeper than 40 meters, made on a frequent or prolonged diving basis, still pose com- plex physiological and technical problems that must be solved. At present, experimental diving activities belong in the hands of the professional divers. A few experimental saturated dives have been made to depths of over 600 meters but the costs of operating at these depths are high and conse- quently industry is developing less costly unmanned underwater work systems, or shirtsleeve-environ- ment systems such as those for petroleum subsea completion systems. In the past decade, operational sea floor habitats have been developed. The Navy’s SEALAB, GE’s TEKTITE |, the Department of the Interior’s TEK- TITE Il, and NOAA’s MUS&T programs, along with similar programs conducted in Europe since the early 1960's, show that man can function produc- tively for prolonged periods at modest depths on _the sea floor at ambient pressure. Although skilled divers have reached considerably greater depths, _ the current practical limit for the non-professional diver’s scientific and recreational saturation diving is approximately 40 meters. Operating costs and lack of the general availability of sophisticated life support equipment impose the limit. Deeper excur- sions from such saturation levels are practical and thus extend the useful limits of diving. It is important to understand that most scientific manned undersea activity is of a secondary rather than a primary nature, and usually follows prelimi- nary or detailed investigations made from other platforms, normally ships. DSV’s usually are used to best advantage only after initial investigations made from ships have clearly identified problems that can be studied only, or most economically, from submersibles. Habitats are sited to best advan- tage only after ship-conducted surveys have deline- ated the most favorable location. MUA capabilities should and do compete with other platform capa- bilities (airborne, ship, buoy, and unmanned sys- tems), and work jointly with them, in performing exploration and exploitation in the oceans. PROGRAMMATIC GOALS FOR CIVIL MANNED UNDERSEA ACTIVITY In considering what the goals for a manned undersea activity program should be, the following assumptions were made by the workshop partici- pants with respect to the total federal ocean program: e The gross annual federal ocean program fund- ing has leveled off. e@ A shift in emphasis is likely both in funding and in agency programming. e New federal ocean program initiatives will be examined more closely for their relevance and economic justification. @ There will be a continuing MUA program in- volving industry, academia, and government. e@ The recent reorganization of science and tech- nology policy advisory functions (from the White House to the National Science Founda- tion) will probably change the pattern of plan- ning and organization. The goals recommended in this report have taken these assumptions into account. Many of the goals are not exclusively MUA goals but include major 23 areas to which MUA can contribute. The goals be- low are presented in four major areas: science, in- dustry, recreation, and government. These goals are not ordered by priority; the work- shop participants considered establishment of a ranking system premature at the present develop- ment level of MUA, which is embryonic in some areas and advanced in others. SCIENTIFIC GOALS ® Support marine biological studies, including those related to the distribution of organisms, population dynamics, behavior, environmental stress and applied fisheries problems e Study man’s physiological responses during diving to ensure safety and achieve peak performance e Study sea floor features and geological proc- esses, including those related to marine min- eral deposits @ Investigate natural changes in the marine en- vironment, and those resulting from man’s activities ® Conduct marine archaeological studies INDUSTRIAL GOALS e@ Inspect and maintain underwater pipelines, power cables, and sea floor structures e Perform work where manned underwater ac- tivity offers an economic advantage e Assess and recover living and mineral marine resources e@ Direct and conduct salvage operations RECREATIONAL GOALS e Establish underwater parks and recreational facilities © Promote safety of water recreational equip- ment and operations GOVERNMENTAL GOALS © Provide regulations and supervision to ensure safety and accommodate related interests e Provide supplemental support for high-cost civil MUA facilities that are beyond the fund- ing capacity of institutional users ® Maintain a vigorous program of MUA tech- nology exchange between military and civil areas, and assist in cooperative efforts with foreign MUA programs e Use MUA for safety and compliance inspec- tions of sea floor structures, and for environ- mental monitoring e Sponsor research to provide increased safety for all aspects of MUA and promote research in the long-term health effects of diving e@ Provide national guidelines and identify those areas where MUA can continue to contribute to the national ocean program e Sponsor and/or provide incentives for joint programs with industry where risk or initial capital outlay is too great for private capital To support these goals, the following technologi- cal improvements are needed: e Increase the useful bottom time of manned submersibles and improve surface handling and underwater navigation systems e Increase the ability to use external tools and manipulators from submersibles e Increase the self-sufficiency of habitats e Increase the capability and flexibility of divers @ Improve equipment and operational safety CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The following conclusions and recommendations were developed in the course of the study. It was agreed that a viable course of development for civil MUA must benefit the economy of the United States, contribute to our understanding of the sea environment, promote national security, and be undertaken with an understanding that the role of MUA in the accomplishment of these objectives must be evaluated with regard to other alternatives. PRESENT AND POTENTIAL USES OF MANNED UNDERSEA ACTIVITY Conclusions @ MUA can assist in the assessment and devel- opment of marine resources; in the establish- ment of standards for environmental protec- tion of coastal waters; and in understanding environmental aspects of coastal zone man- agement. e MUA has demonstrated its potential in the marine sciences and in ocean engineering and work tasks in the sea. e Civil MUA is limited more by uncertain fund- ing than by facilities or capabilty. However, facilities could be improved. e@ Industrial use of MUA has developed to an advanced stage in the United States with a trend toward complementary or associated use of unmanned undersea systems. e Industry will benefit increasingly as the uses of MUA in the fields of marine biology and marine geology lead to increased capabilities in resource assessment and better environ- mental impact information. 24 e As economic advantages can be demonstrated, industry will make major commitments to MUA. At present, few areas seem to offer such potential. However, this should change as ocean engineering activities and offshore re- source development mature. e@ MUA should play an important role in pro- posed joint ocean research and utilization pro- grams and in legal arrangements with other nations. FACILITIES FOR MANNED UNDERSEA ACTIVITY Conclusions e Federally funded selected habitats, submersi- bles, and support capability are needed to support civil MUA. The technology for such facilities exists, but the commitment, as well as the costs of acquisition, long-term mainte- nance, and operation, limit their utilization. e Additional provisions are needed for rescue and decompression facilities to accommodate the rapid growth of recreational diving. Recommendation e@ The U.S. Government should continue to make MUA facilities available in order to support selected projects; provide experience for ma- rine scientists and engineers; assess and use existing technology; maintain and improve the national capability and posture for future pro- grams; offer rescue capability; evaluate and conduct missions in support of major environ- mental programs; and support marine re- source assessment, management, and con- servation. MANAGEMENT OF CIVIL MUA PROGRAMS Conclusions e A single, but not exclusive, focal point within the federal government should coordinate manned undersea capabilities for civil uses, and should not only encourage but help ensure the promotion of manned undersea activity that contributes to national objectives. ® The existing organizational structure for the federal ocean program can accommodate in- creased activity in civil MUA. e The government should ensure that criteria and standards for MUA utilization are estab- lished so as to ensure safe operations. Multi- agency planning and liaison with non-govern- ment agencies should help to ensure reason- able regulation. Such regulatory criteria should make sure that viable research efforts on MUA are not needlessly constrained. emia should perform these functions. One par- ticular need is to establish criteria and guide- lines for MUA research, components, systems, Recommendations and operations. e In order to ensure appropriate emphasis and funding and to prevent unnecessary duplica- tion, a single federal agency that possesses PROGRAMS IN MANNED UNDERSEA ACTIVITY Conclusions the capability and charter, should take the lead in the coordination of programs with other concerned agencies and should act as the civil focal point in the U.S. Government to take on the following functions: —Assist in contracting and in the guidance of prospective suppliers of submersibles and habitats in support of the ocean science community where government participation is required —Take the lead in an overall government and civilian assessment of the potential for use of military and industrial manned undersea activity, and develop its contribution for civil uses —Provide advisory review services to the fed- eral government for manned undersea capa- bilities and activities NOTE: The Interagency Committee on Marine Sci- ence and Engineering recommended a similar role for NOAA in October 1972 during the review of the Federal Ocean Program, and NOAA is so serving. This action was not addressed during the course of this study, but is referenced here and in Appendix B for information only. e@ The University National Oceanographic Labora- tory Systems (UNOLS) could be a mechanism for coordinating the use of MUA facilities by the academic community. These facilities should include DSV’s and sea floor labora- tories. e Liaison and joint operations with foreign MUA programs should be increased with a view toward greater international participation in and cooperation with U.S. programs. Several nations now maintain active programs in MUA. Joint efforts with these nations would be beneficial to civil and government MUA in the United States and should be encouraged in both the government and civilian sectors. e A nongovernment advisory group on civil MUA should be established. A continuing assess- ment is needed of civil MUA as it relates to U.S. interests in the oceans. A group of quali- fied representatives from industry and acad- ® The present state of the federal ocean pro- gram suggests that near-term growth of civil MUA will be slow unless MUA can demon- strate more convincingly an economic justifi- cation for expenditures. The reduction of Navy submersible leasing has not been matched by a comparable increase in activity of the civil agencies, leaving an excess in civilian sub- mersible capability. © The maximum growth area for all aspects of civil MUA will probably be in its use for sys- tematic programs aimed at understanding the coastal zone environment and resources and the related ecology. e Technology does not severely limit the present use of MUA. The technology being developed through industry and the Navy needs to be transferred more effectively to other sectors. e Continued research on diver physiology and underwater medicine is required to improve safety and equipment design for endurance diving operations. e Too few selected undersea natural areas are preserved specifically for long-term scientific study and recreational use. Recommendations @ Program planning for the federal ocean pro- gram should be monitored to ensure that civil MUA interests are represented, particularly when the civil sector can help solve problems in the federal program. The existing Inter- agency Committee on Marine Science and Engineering could expand to perform this function. The committee now coordinates 11 federal agencies that have marine interests. e Better mechanisms are needed for the ex- change of MUA technology between the Navy and the civil sector. The Navy at present has the largest MUA program, and is both the major contractor and customer to ocean sci- ence and ocean engineering. Many Navy MUA facilities could be used more effectively for civil MUA when the Navy can spare them and in accordance with current regulations. The NAS-NAE study report, excerpted above, was issued in 1973. 25 UNIVERSITY-NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC LABORATORY SYSTEM (UNOLS) UNOLS is an association of 18 academic insti- tutions which operate significant seagoing ocean- ographic facilities. The functions of UNOLS are to provide for community-wide coordination and re- view of the use of facilities, to increase the oppor- tunity for access to those facilities, to assess the current match of facilities to the needs of academic oceanographic programs, to recommend priorities for replacing, modifying, or improving the numbers and types of facilities, and to assist Federal agen- cies in utilizing and funding ships and other fa- cilities. Included in the “First Annual Report of UNOLS Advisory Council to Federal Funding Agencies” is the following recommendation: “Submersibles should be utilized more in univer- sity research than at present, both on an insti- tutional basis and as National Oceanographic Facilities (including charter funding). Total sup- port of about $1.3M in 1973 and $1.9M in 1974 should be about evenly divided between ONR, NSF, and NOAA (MUS&T Office). The two latter agencies should join in supporting at least two submersibles and a submersible ‘char- ter fund’ as UNOLS National Oceanographic Facilities.” Appendix I of the UNOLS report contains the following recommendations by the UNOLS Working Group for a University Submersible Facility: —Two submersibles in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific, to provide a shallow-water capa- 26 bility (less than 1,000 ft) and a deep-water capability (greater than 1,000 ft) in each area. (One vehicle is ALVIN.) —Not less than one-third of the total opera- tional time to be available to the entire aca- demic oceanographic community. (A_ facility operator can designate all or part of the time on any facility for this purpose and may change the allocation annually.) —A fund to provide submersible support through lease, charter, or other short-term arrange- ments. —A UNOLS appointed review committee to re- view proposals and allot time and funds. The emphasis here is on submersible usage and re- search by universities. While a significant portion of federally funded marine science and engineering is conducted at academic institutions, there are many requirements with Federal agencies, non-UNOLS institutions, State agencies, and industry that must be considered. An interpretation of the UNOLS recommendations to accommodate all major in- terests ca nbe stated as follows: —There is a significant university interest in using submersibles. —There is a need for a designated focal group which can provide submersible time and funding. —The funding of the overall research programs cuts across ICMSE agency lines and requires coordination to provide consistency and conti- nuity in support. Section IV. Analysis of Platform Requirements HABITAT UTILIZATION In the discussion of undersea platforms, the equivalent of six accessible U.S. habitats were identi- fied. On the average, approximately one-third of the total capability is being utilized. Full utilization was assumed to be 150 useful bottom-working days per year. Time for setup, preparations, training, de- compression, cleaning, maintenance, and the like is not included in these 150 days; nor is the time re- quired to transport the habitat from site to site. Because investigations are frequently tied to en- vironmental conditions or the life cycle of organisms being studied, 12 months per year scheduling is unlikely. Based on the reported programs, as given in ap- pendix B, the Department of Commerce, Corps of Engineers, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Department of the Interior, Atomic Energy Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and Smithsonian Institution are potential users of three transportable habitats and one mobile habitat, as are academia and industry. The academia users whose basic research is generally supported by the Na- tional Science Foundation are believed to be reflected by the University of New Hampshire’s finding of a need for three transportable habitats. A requirement for a mobile habitat was especially indicated by Department of Commerce, Atomic Energy Commission, and the Environmental Pro- tection Agency. This habitat would require the capability of repositioning itself in a limited area around the initial deployment site. The present six habitats operate at an approxi- mately one-third utilization rate. The program po- tential for full utilization exists, provided adequate support is made available. Thus, a trend from ex- cess capability to a shortage situation could develop. However, it must be noted that the data obtained in this study with respect to the match between the capability of existing assets and user requirements 27 for habitat capability is incomplete. Furthermore, there is no mobile habitat available, and the require- ments for such a facility must also be analyzed further. SUBMERSIBLE UTILIZATION In the discussion of submersibles without lock- out, 13 operable and acceptable U.S. civilian sub- mersibles were identified. Without engineering and cost analysis beyond the scope of this report it is impossible to state how many of the three uncerti- fied and four inactive submersibles can eventually become part of the national inventory. With the full utilization of ALVIN and three leased civilian- owned and -operated submersibles, and the ap- proximately one-third utilization of four other sub- mersibles, the average utilization of the 13 without lockout is now 40%. There are available three submersibles with lock- out (SEA LINK, SHELF DIVER, and BEAVER MARK IV. SHELF DIVER is on lease overseas. SEA LINK is fully utilized, and BEAVER has not been used for several years and is undergoing a refit. Average utilization is therefore about two- thirds. For this analysis it was assumed, for both lockout and nonlockout systems, that the full-year utilization of a platform was approximately 100 working dive days exclusive of mobilization and demobilization, training, maintenance, refurbishment, and transportation. Based on the reported programs, the Department of Commerce, Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation, Atomic Energy Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and National Science Foundation are po- tential users of as many as six leased submersibles without lockout and three submersibles with lock- out in addition to SEA LINK. Included in this esti- mate is the UNOLS recommendation of a shallow and deep submersible on each coast. The use of 4 Gs ed | JOHNSON-SEA-LINK Submersible. SEA LINK). Sno eS ee SSE oe See Te eh A Lockout submersible BEAVER MARK IV. 28 these facilities would be by the Federal agencies, academia, and industry. Realizing the above projections would raise the utilization of submersibles without lockout to near full capacity and require two additional lockout submersibles. The results of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) study show an additional need for two nonlockout submersibles and one lockout submersible which, if added to the Federal agency requirements, would require additional facilities. However, the overlap between the UNH results and the usage factors included in this survey of Federal agencies has not been determined. There were insufficient data to match a given pro- gram with a given platform, particularly in view of the limitations of platforms given in section II. In general, however, the proportion of programs con- centrating in the Continental Shelf coincides reason- ably well with the proportions of platforms capable of shelf operations. The same is true for the con- tinental slope. A problem could occur if a depth capability in excess of ALVIN’s 12,000 feet (ti- tanium sphere) is required. Only the partially dis- Academia University of New Hampshire Study Survey of Federal Agencies NAS/NAE Manned Undersea Activities Workshop Unsolicited Proposals From Academia and Industry To MUS&T Figure 4. Developing requirements for use of manned undersea platforms. 29 assembled ALUMINAUT, with newly machined hemiheads, would be suitable. SCUBA SHIPS Since the survey was designed primarily to investi- gate submersible and habitat utilization, the accumu- lation of data on requirements for scuba ships was generally acquired from questions on the use of divers. The preliminary analysis of the data indi- cates that one or two such ships could be used by a combination of agencies. It is believed that the re- sults of the UNH analysis, which show a need for two scuba ships, reflect the requirements of scientists whose research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation as well as other supporting agencies. SUMMARY The requirements for use of national manned undersea platforms are influenced by a number of factors as shown in figure 4. This illustration in- dicates that other requirements that could involve Federal sponsorship, in addition to those derived in the survey of Federal agencies, were noted relative to their impact on platform utilization. Requirements Requirements for Manned Undersea Activities and Utilization of Manned Undersea Platforms Requirements Overall Goals and Programs Unsolicited Proposals (Requirements Proposed) Projected Growth Potential Growth | a sey | The realization of potential Federal agency users may close the gap (fig. 5) between the national ca- pability and utilization. Requirements of the aca- demic institutions indicate additional facilities are needed. There already appear to be some shortages, such as insufficient submersibles with lockout, the lack of a mobile undersea laboratory, and lack of scuba ships. In addition, some of the platforms may not be suitable for efficient use for a specific applica- tion because of mismatches in characteristics, in- 13 Submersibles Without Lockout strumentation limitations, environmental limits, and geographical location. In most cases, no single civil program has suffi- cient requirements to fully support a platform for a full year. The intermittent use of platforms for short periods of time significantly raises the cost. The result is that funding requirements are excessive and therefore not programmed. Thus, funding and its continuity becomes a major problem in the utiliza- tion of platforms. 3 Submersibles With Lockout Present ee Federal Agency Survey ae University of New Hampshire Survey == Unsolicited Proposals, Industry, & Projected Growth Figure 5. Present utilization rates (percent) of undersea platforms compared with utiliza- tion capabilities surveyed. Appendix A. Survey of Federal Agencies INTRODUCTION In development of the ICMSE study requested on May 11, 1972, a survey was made to determine the extent to which Federal agencies had programs that required manned undersea platforms and to which the platforms were actually being used. The survey pertained to existing and planned programs for manned undersea platforms, not to what would be done if facilities were made available at no cost. Thus, the approach identified currently funded pro- grams and those that could be expected to increase the utilization rates of platforms, while avoiding those that may not be supported. As noted earlier, approximately half of the 1,603 dives recommended to the Carroll Committee (which asked what would be done if facilities were provided) were not en- dorsed by that Committee. SURVEY METHOD AND QUESTIONNAIRE The questionnaire sent to the participating Federal agencies is shown on page 32. It emphasizes both the identification of programs and the specific ca- pabilities required of platforms for use in the pro- gram. Respondents were contacted by telephone to obtain additional data when required in order to pre- vent misinterpretation and to provide platforms ca- pability data to respondents not sufficiently familiar with some platforms. The questionnaire concentrated on existing and planned programs rather than specific operations which would or could be undertaken if facilities were provided. There were three reasons — for this: First, it avoids suggesting many ideas which an offerer of platforms is not capable of or willing to support with funding; second, it identified poten- tial platform utilization; and lastly, it provides for reporting programs which may not have reached the stage of detailed field operations planning. A major problem noted was that the level of reporting did not provide details to permit a good matching of exist- ing platforms to program operations. This can be adequately corrected in the future based on the experience of this effort. 31 PROGRAMS REPORTED AND FINDINGS Ten of the 12 member agencies of ICMSE re- sponded with identification of programs that involve manned undersea activities (State and NASA had no requirements). Approximately 60% of the re- sponses were on the questionnaire; however, there were some problems with the degree of completeness and specificity. Thus, in several cases, it was neces- sary to estimate the extent of platform utilization implied by the program. Forty-six programs were identified from all sources. Of these, 13 were from the Navy and 33 from the nine other responding Federal agencies. The 46 programs are listed on page 33 and described in appendix B. The Navy’s programs requiring manned undersea platforms are generally satisfied by Navy-owned fa- cilities. The Navy rarely leases civilian-owned and -operated platforms and has not since 1970. The Navy was responsible for developing ALVIN and supporting it at the Woods Hole Oceanographic In- stitution, but is phasing out that support. In the future, support for ALVIN must come from other sources. Of the 33 programs reported by the eight civil agencies and the Corps of Engineers, five programs spend for facilities and eight others can if proposals are received. However, except for the NOAA/ MUS&T program there is no specific allocation of funds for leasing identified. Except for two of the remaining 20 programs, there is a good potential for the regular use of manned undersea platforms, the actual use depending on a number of factors. A major impediment to the more extensive use of plat- forms in these programs is the intermittent, short- duration requirements for utilization. One or 2 days may be needed, perhaps five or six times per year. Coupled with the dispersal of geographic areas, the costs for use of the platforms becomes extremely large in proportion to the total program. Thus, the single uncoordinated use of a platform for a pro- gram is unattractive. At the same time, the large data acquisition capability of a platform can support not INFORMATION SHEET Federal Requirements Manned Undersea Operation Institution or agency: 1, DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS: SR NO Use of manned undersea operations in program mn ———————— EEE anim staan sian: Participating organizations: EE IEEE al |. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT FOR MANNED UNDERSEA OPERATION (where known): 1, Which of the following could be used: oO Submersible with lockout; D) submersible without lockout; oO Fixed habitat; CD Mobite habitat; [1] Seuba divers; LJ other (specify); ee 2 Depth range of operations: m-average m-maximum 3. Navigational accuracy Surface <10m —__<100m not vital Subsurfac® <1 0m — £100 ae NOT vital 4, Dive duration: average (hr) maximum (hr) & Frequency and No. of dives planned for operations (i.e, one per day for 2-week period) el & Schedule: Planning period (dates): Operational period (dates) 7. Geographic area: & Have you arranged for or planned on using a specific submersible/habitat (if yes, please specify) 9. Payload requirements: observers; ft” inside equipment space; _____ Power (amps, voltage, AC/DC, frequency. etc.) 10. What specific support equipment is required (i.e., cameras, manipulators, sonars, etc.)? i. ADDITIONAL DATA: A Contacts (Sponsoring (Name) (Telephone number) mercy) (Address) Principal investigator B. Funding information FY 72 FY 73 est , FY 74 Overall program funds ($X000) Manned underseas portion a 1V. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: — ha hw YS— a a a a a ee ee ee ee a ee ee Please return to Manned Undersea Science and Technology MR4 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Department of Commerce 6010 Executive Blvd. Rockville, Md. 20852 32 only the primary program but other programs in the same or other agencies. Another factor is a lack of experience in many cases. Personnel are not familiar with what can be accomplished with the platforms or with the techniques for facility trade-off analyses, such as the surface ship versus the submersible versus the habitat versus the remote system. There is a general trend among programs in the manner in which undersea platforms are usually con- sidered for use. Programs usually start with surface ships investigations, move to remote techniques, then use divers when depths permit or use submersibles, and, if process studies are involved, move to habi- tats. At the same time, the platforms required tend to become more and more mission oriented rather than general purpose. FEDERAL AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS Department of Commerce © Submerged Transportation Systems Study (MARAD) ©@ Deepwater Ports and Offshore Terminals (MARAD) e Oceanic Monitoring, Assessment, and Prediction (NOAA) e Arctic Assessment and Monitoring (NOAA) ® Manned Undersea Science and Technology (NOAA) @ Operational Equipment Observation and Evalua- tion (NOAA) ® Canyons, Sedimentation, and Bottom Boundary Layer (NOAA) Undersea Facility Educational Projects (NOAA) Marine Geology and Geophysics (NOAA) Fisheries Research (NOAA) Office of Sea Grant (NOAA) .S. Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Programs) Dredge Spoil Disposal Studies Offshore Operations Studies Offshore Facilities and Deepwater Ports Construction Effects Storm Damage Assessment Arctic Research .S. Navy Submarine Location, Escape, and Rescue (NAVSHIPS) e Deep Ocean Technology (NAVMAT) ®@ Man-in-the-Sea, Continental Shelf (NAVSHIPS) Deep Submergence Bio-Medical Development (BUMED) : Exploratory Development Projects (OCEANAV) Surface Supported Diving System (NAVSHIPS) Large Object Salvage System (NAVSHIPS) Deep Ocean Engineering and Research (ONR) Advanced Marine Technology (ONR) €-G 6) 6) 0 6 6 66S 6; 0) ee 33 © Operational Underwater Salvage (NAVSHIPS) e Fleet and Facilities Support (NAVFAC) e Acoustic Studies (NAVO) © Ocean Engineering and Construction Technology (NCEL) Department of Health, Education, and Welfare e Decompression Table Standards (NIOSH) Department of the Interior © Underwater Interpretation and Research Within the National Park System (NPS) © Geophysical Investigations (USGS) ® Sedimentology and Placer Mineral Deposits (USGS) e Sport Fisheries Research (BSFW) Department of Transportation © Underwater Safety Program (USCG) Atomic Energy Commission © Estuarine and Adjacent Area Ecological and Ra- dioecological Studies e@ Oceanic Processes and Populations © Power Package Recovery Environmental Protection Agency e@ Assessment of Marine Waste Disposal Areas (R&M ) e Water Quality and Ecology (OWP) ® Enforcement Action Evidence Collection (OE&GC) National Science Foundation © Oceanographic Research e Research Facilities Support e@ Franco-American Mid-Ocean Undersea Study (FAMOUS) Smithsonian Institution ® Biological-Geological Oceanography ABBREVIATIONS MARAD—Maritime Administration NOAA—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- istration NAVSHIPS—Naval Ships Systems Command NAVMAT—Naval Material Command BUMED—Bureau of Medicine and Surgery OCEANAV—Oceanographer of the Navy ONR—Office of Naval Research NAVFAC—Naval Facilities Engineer Command NAVO—Naval Oceanographic Office NCEL—Naval Civil Engineering Command NIOSH—National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health NPS—National Park Service USGS—U.S. Geological Survey BSFW—Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife USCG—U.S. Coast Guard R&M—Research and Monitoring OWP—Office of Water Programs OE&GC—Office of Enforcement and General Counsel Appendix B. Descriptions of Programs Reported Which Are Current or Potential Users of Manned Undersea Platforms DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC) ? PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE Submerged Transportation Systems Study To perform a study of the economic feasibility and other implica- tions of submarine transportation including vessel size, propulsion, hull designs, cargo types and handling, port facilities, environ- mental effects, and research and development needs. Lead agency: Maritime Administration. Participating: Other DOC, Navy, National Science Foundation, Department of Transportation, Atomic Energy Commission, and Environmental Protection Agency. Deepwater Ports and Offshore Terminals To perform studies of the need for and the economic, social, and environmental impacts of deepwater ports and offshore terminals, particularly for the importation of oil. Lead agency: Maritime Administration (MARAD). ‘Department of State and National Aeronautics and Space Adminis- tration indicated no programs requiring manned undersea activities. 34 REMARKS Could lead to new commercial ship- ping systems. There is a potential for some use of existing submersibles to test docking and other concepts in the future, to conduct site surveys for terminal facilities and to assist in sub- marine terminal construction. Somewhat superseded by the special task force established by the White House in July 1972 to study these facilities; MARAD is participating in that study. Habitats may have a role in establishing and monitoring en- vironmental baselines. Submersibles may aid site engineering studies and construction, plus making early en- vironmental observations. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)—Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE Oceanic monitoring, assessment and prediction To monitor the physical and chemical variables of the oceanic environment to make timely assessments, predictions, and warn- ings. Lead agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Participating: All State and Federal agencies with responsibility in the marine environment. Arctic Assessment and Monitoring To acquire bathymetric, oceanographic, water quality, and re- source data for the Arctic. As the search for petroleum and mineral resources increases the supply, support and transportation activities require additional information concerning the water and land under the ice. Included are the study of marine mammals, endangered species, and other living resources. Lead agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Participating: Other DOC, Department of the Interior, Environ- mental Protection Agency, Atomic Energy Com- mission, Department of Transportation, and State of Alaska. Manned Undersea Science and Technology (MUS&T) To develop, promote, coordinate, and support a national, civilian operational capability for man to work under the sea to achieve better understanding, assessment, and use of the marine environ- ment and its resources. To conduct operations supportive of DOC missions in the fields of living resources and environmental surveys; nonliving resources, geology, and processes; marine man- agement and pollution; and international-national scientific co- operation. To transfer and develop manned undersea technology for cost-effective civilian application. Lead agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Participating: Corps of Engineers; Navy; Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; Department of Interior; Department of State; Atomic Energy Commission; Environmental Protection Agency; National Sci- ence Foundation; and numerous scientists from academia, industry, and government. 35 REMARKS Planning stage; could involve the use of divers, submersibles, and habitats. Primarily planning stage, although an investigation of Arctic walrus biologi- cal productivity has been conducted through NOAA/MUS&T. Involves primarily the use of submersibles. Provides university, industry, and gov- ernment scientists and engineers with access to facilities and specialized sup- port; cooperative efforts with many ICMSE member agencies; DOC lead on U.S.-French and U.S.-Canadian efforts; technology development mis- sion; and primary planned user of platforms. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)—Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE REMARKS Operational Equipment Observation and Evaluation To observe and evaluate the performance of scientific and Can use divers, submersibles, and operational observation, measurement, and assessment equip- habitats depending on the type of de- ment used by the NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteoro- vice involved. logical Laboratory and the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service for comparison of surface and in situ methods. Lead agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Participating: NOAA components. Canyons, Sedimentation and Bottom Boundary Layer NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory Primarily uses divers and submersibles. (AOML) and Manned Undersea Science and Technology MUS&T funds facility access. (MUS&T) program investigations of submarine canyons as con- duits for materials from the Continental Shelf to deep ocean areas. And to study sedimentation processes on the Continental Shelf and margins and bottom shear stress of flat and sloping bottoms, on the shelf and slope and the variations in shear stress over time. Lead agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Participating: NOAA components, other Federal agencies, and scientists from academia. Undersea Facility Educational Projects To provide teaching institutions with the experience of building Student projects have led to habitats and operating undersea facilities and with the use of manned at the Universities of Rhode Island undersea equipment through Sea Grant. and Michigan. Sea Grant is a sup- porter of scientific diving and partici- Lead agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pated with MUS&T in the Florida Aquanaut Research Expedition. Sea Participating: University of Michigan, University of Rhode Grant is limited by law in support of Island, University of Hawaii, and others. facilities and assets. Marine Geology and Geophysics Comprehensive oceanographic studies of currents, deep sea tides, Submersible-oriented; MUS&T pro- sediments, paleotemperatures, biology, hydrography, and sea vides facility access. water chemistry in vicinity of selected seamounts, and the em- placement of bottom seismometers in studies of the Mexico Tectonic Plate Junction by the NOAA National Ocean Survey. Lead agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Participating: NOAA components, University of Hawaii, Univer- sity of Mexico, Scripps Institution of Oceanog- raphy. 36 ? DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)—Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE Fisheries Research Study and survey the fisheries resources in situ by the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service to: assess resources, investigate the spatial relationship between deep sea asphaltic deposits and marine life, investigate biological productivity and survival of species, and test submersible survey techniques and compare them with surface-based techniques. Lead agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Participating: Government and university investigators. Office of Sea Grant Sea Grant colleges conduct research in the marine environment applicable to development of marine resources and technology and to ‘understanding and assessment of offshore pollution. Provide education, training, and advisory services. Lead agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Participating: University investigators. CORPS OF ENGINEERS (COE) Dredge Soil Disposal Studies Comprehensive studies of the disposal and uses of dredge spoils, such as the environmental and other effects of disposal and the use of spoils to develop artificial islands, barrier reefs, marshlands, and fish and wildlife refuges. Offshore Operations Studies Study of the environmental and other effects of offshore mining of sand and gravel and of other activities for which permits are issued, such as dumping and construction. Investigation of sub- mersible dredging. Offshore Facilities and Deepwater Ports Operations in support of the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of deepwater ports and offshore facilities. 37 REMARKS Active user of divers and submersi- bles at present time; habitats may be used for process studies. MUS&T supports facility access and some uni- versity investigator special costs. Responds to unsolicited proposals and may fund platform utilization as part of overall research. Coordinates manned undersea requirements with NOAA/MUS&T; no specific fund set aside for platform use. No programmed use of manned un- dersea platforms in these operational programs; however, need to test the feasibility of platforms as complement to surface-based techniques indicated. Potential submersible and habitat utili- zation. Divers are used for artificial reef inspections. Same as remarks on Dredge Soil Dis- posal Studies (above). (See earlier remark on these under Department of Commerce.) CORPS OF ENGINEERS (COE)—Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE Construction Effects Baseline pre-project investigations, determining effects during con- struction, and determining past construction changes as part of an assessment of the effects of construction on the ecology of the coastal zone. Storm Assessment Determining the effects of major storms on estuarine and other coastal areas, such as an in-depth exploration of critical changes in the Chesapeake Bay ecology and bathymetry caused by hurri- cane Agnes. Arctic Research Investigation of engineering problems associated with the ice cover of the Arctic Ocean. These investigations include an understanding of ice fracture patterns, physical properties of ice, and driving forces as they relate to structures, and an im- provement in bathymetric charts and ice characteristic measure- ment techniques. DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY Submarine Location, Escape, and Rescue To develop a capability to locate a distressed submarine and rescue surviving personnel. Lead agency: Naval Ships Systems Command. Participating: Naval commands, centers, offices, and private industry. Deep Ocean Technology To advance the state of technology in the area of undersea opera- tions and materials, including manned undersea operations. In- cludes test of titanium pressure sphere on ALVIN. Lead agency: Naval Material Command. Participating: Naval commands, centers, offices, and shipyards, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and pri- vate industry. 38 REMARKS (Same as remarks on first two pro- grams. ) Use depends on platform availability and cost, intermittent access required; primarily submersible and diver utili- zation. No use programmed at this time. Potential use of submersibles and divers under the ice. No use of plat- forms programmed at this time. (Navy requirements are generally met by Navy-owned systems.) Deep Sub- mergence Systems Project (DSSP) developed Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRV’s). Primarily oriented toward removing man in routine operations by the use of remote systems. Manned systems used in support of the development. DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY—Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE Man-in-the-Sea, Continental Shelf To develop the techniques, diver tools, and diver life support equipment to enable divers to safely work at depths to 1,000 ft in support of Navy operations. Lead agency: Naval Ships Systems Command. Participating: Naval commands, centers, laboratories, offices, and bureaus, and private industry. Deep Submergence Biomedical Development To conduct the biomedical research and to develop improved medical support to insure safe, effective manned undersea activity by present and future Naval operations. Lead agency: Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Surface-Supported Diving System To develop an increased Navy capability to conduct surface supported, nonsaturated operational dives to depths of 300 ft. Lead agency: Naval Ships Systems Command. Participating: Naval Material Command, Oceanographer of the Navy, and Chief of Naval Operations (OP-23). Large-Object Salvage System The research, development, test, and evaluation of systems to provide an improved capability to salvage large objects from water depths to 1,000 ft. Lead agency: Naval Ships Systems Command. Participating: Naval commands, centers, and laboratories, and private industry. Deep Ocean Engineering and Research Operation of the submersible ALVIN and the support ship LULU by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in support of ocean science and deep ocean engineering research. Lead agency: Office of Naval Research. 39 REMARKS Surface-based orientation. Studies of biomedical and physiolog- ical effects of diving; cooperative proj- ects with NOAA-MUS&T. Surface-based support of divers; no undersea facility use. Development project currently at specification stage. Provides support for ALVIN and re- lated research; no other platform utilization programmed. DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY—Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE REMARKS Advanced Marine Technology Developing tools and equipment for the submersible ALVIN to Supports research tools for ALVIN; further the capability to conduct scientific and engineering re- no other platform involved. search and to test equipment, and funding to develop ocean re- search techniques. Lead agency: Office of Naval Research. Participating: Naval Material Command, Oceanographer of the Navy, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Operational Underwater Salvage To maintain a Navy capability to conduct salvage as required May lease civilian-operated platforms for national security, failure analysis, and safety of navigation. in an emergency. Requirements gen- erally satisfied by Navy platforms. Lead agency: Naval Ships Systems Command. Fleet and Facilities Support The installation, operation, and maintenance of facilities, and Includes operation of Navy platforms: such as weapons and navigation calibration systems to support TURTLE, TRIESTE, SEA CLIFF, the operations and readiness of the fleet. and NR-1 Lead agency: Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Acoustic Studies The study of ocean stability, ocean floor, and subfloor charac- Platform utilization unfunded. teristics, biological populations, and ambient noise as related to acoustics. Lead agency: Naval Oceanographic Office. Development of Ocean Engineering and Construction Techniques The study of soil characteristics as related to underwater con- Platform utilization unfunded. struction and breakout; the grading of the sea floor for con- struction; and the engineering and assembly of underwater facilities. Lead agency: Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory. 40 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY—Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE REMARKS Exploratory Development Projects To conduct efforts directed toward the solution of specific prob- Composed of approximately 12 sep- lems short of major prototype development, to improve diver arately funded and identifiable tasks. life support equipment and tools, and projects such as developing underwater construction techniques which require diver support. Lead agency: Oceanographer of the Navy. Participating: Naval commands, centers, laboratories, offices, and bureaus; various U.S. universities and private in- dustry. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE (HEW) Decompression Table Standards To prevent osteonecrosis and decompression sickness in hyper- Does not generally involve at sea baric workers by preparation of new decompression table operations. standards. Lead agency: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Participating: National Research Council Committee on Under- water Physiology and Medicine, Texas A&M Uni- versity, American National Standards Institute. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI) Underwater Interpretation and Research Within the National Park System To initiate a viable program of underwater development to pro- vide for the interpretation and research of national park areas of the marine environment. Planning for potential new facilities. Lead agency: National Park Service. Geophysical Investigations The detailed investigation of geological features detected by Currently uses divers; submersible op- surface means on the outer Continental Shelf, continental slope, erations may be used in some areas; and base of the slope as part of the investigation of shelf non- no specific fund allocation for plat- living resources. form use; intermittent need for plat- form. Lead agency: U.S. Geological Survey. 4l DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOIl)—Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE Sedimentology and Placer Mineral Deposits The detailed investigation of offshore sediments, particularly in the Arctic, that contain heavy metals, as part of placer deposit assessment. Investigation and delineation of sands, gravels, and elements contained or distributed therein. : Lead agency: U.S. Geological Survey. Participating: Various Federal and State agencies and universities. Great Lakes and Marine Sport Fisheries Research Research into the dynamics of fish populations, life cycles, and behavior; the effects and control of the sea lamprey populations of the Great Lakes; angler and commercial harvests; and environ- mental changes and their effects. Lead agency: Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Participating: Various Federal and State agencies. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Underwater Safety Program To assure the safety of nonmilitary undersea activities through vessel and station regulation and inspection; to maintain knowl- edge of ongoing undersea operations; and to provide undersea Search and Rescue (SAR) services. To manage frequency allo- cations in the undersea acoustic communications frequency spectrum. Coordinate Coast Guard undersea mission support. Lead agency: Coast Guard. REMARKS Currently using divers; submersible or habitat operations may be indicated in certain circumstances; no specific fund allocation for platforms use; in- termittent need for platforms. Potential use of platforms for process studies; coordinated with NOAA Na- tional Marine Fisheries Service pro- grams; no specific fund allocated for platform use. (DOT) Potential for issuing regulations on diving and facilities; may lead to a civil rescue capability; may be occa- sional platform use, although no funds are so allocated. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) Estuarine and Adjacent Area Ecological and Radiological Studies The study of the marine environment and its life forms with particular emphasis on the effects of radioactivity on the eco- systems. Supporting activities: Contractors. Oceanic Processes and Populations The study of Continental Shelf and deep currents, sediment transport, and shelf and deep fish populations as they may affect, or be affected by, radioactive material transport. Supporting activities: Contractors. 42 Respond primarily to unsolicited pro- posals and can fund platform utiliza- tion as part of overall research pro- gram; platform use impeded by pro- portionately high cost for short-dura- tion use; no specific amount set aside for manned undersea activities. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) —Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE Power Package Recovery The recovery of nuclear power packages from aborted space shots to a depth of 2,000 meters. Supporting activities: Contractors, NASA, Navy, Coast Guard. REMARKS Requires infrequent, intermittent use of submersibles to locate and recover power supplies. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) Assessment of Marine Waste Disposal Areas Measure and describe, through observations and collection of water sediment and biota, the fate and effects of various types of wastes (sludges, dredge spoils, and municipal sewage) in coastal waters and the Great Lakes. Lead agency: Office of Research and Monitoring. Water Quality and Ecology Measure and describe the influence of water quality on marine ecosystems and the origin and fate of materials and substances detrimental to water quality. Lead agency: Office of Water Programs. Enforcement Action Evidence Collection The collection of evidence of environmental damage and the source of the damage-producing substances for use in civil and criminal litigation “against alleged polluters of coastal waters and the Great Lakes. Lead agency: Office of General Counsel and Enforcement. J Diver, habitat, and submersible appli- cations, particularly the latter; work by in-house labs., academia, and in- dustry; cooperative activities with NOAA-MUSA&T; no programmed reg- ular use of platforms. Diver, submersible, and habitat appli- cations, particularly the latter for process studies; cooperative activities with NOAA-MUS&T; no programmed regular use of platforms. Intermittent need to collect firsthand observation evidence. Platform use, primarily submersibles, would depend on pending cases. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Oceanographic Research The collection and analysis of physical, biological, chemical, and geological oceanographic data to extend man’s knowledge of the oceans and their resources. Lead agency: Division of Environmental Sciences. 43 Responds to unsolicited proposals and may fund platform utilization as part of overall research; cooperative ac- tivities with NOAA-MUS&T: no spe- cific fund set aside for platform use. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF)—Continued PROGRAM TITLE AND PURPOSE REMARKS Research Facilities Support Provision of interim funding, in cooperation with the Navy, to Provides “block” (full year) funding support the submersible ALVIN to make ALVIN available to for “National Facilities”; time on fa- scientists from academia and institutions. The University National cilities allocated on basis of scientific Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS), an independent merit by UNOLS. UNOLS has rec- association of universities and institutions, has recommended ommended a lease fund for existing that ALVIN be declared a “National Oceanographic Facility.” platforms. Lead agency: Oceanographic Facilities Section. Franco-American Mid-Ocean Undersea Study (FAMOUS) A cooperative venture of NSF, DOC (NOAA), DOD, and Use of ALVIN planned. France for the investigation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Lead agency: NOAA-International Decade of Ocean Explora- tion (IDOE). SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Biological-Geological Oceanography Basic research in the marine environment, especially to observe Nearly complete utilization made of the ecosystem through the transparent hull (of the submersible the SEA LINK. SEA LINK) and to send out divers to collect geological and biological specimens and data. Emphasized are the kinds, dis- tribution, and ecology of marine organisms; the effects of pressure at ocean depth on marine organisms: and the kinds and distri- butions of sediments on the shallow sea floor. Lead agency: Smithsonian in cooperation with the Harbour Branch Foundation. 44 Appendix C. Manned Undersea Science and Technology Program, FY 1972-73 The activities of the MUS&T program (see fig. 1) during FY 1972 and the first half of FY 1973 can be summarized as follows: Northeast Fisheries —The New England fishing industry and investigators from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have long been concerned with the dwindling herring and lobster stocks in the Northeast. A program was begun in September 1971 to enable scientists from NMFS to obtain firsthand observations of herring spawning and the population dynamics of lobsters. Because of the lack of experi- ence with these techniques, part of the initial effort was devoted to training. Preliminary training was performed using the SEA LINK lockout submersible. In September the Perry submersible PC—S made 33 dives, and in June 1972 the Perry lockout submersi- ble DEEP DIVER was used in the Gulf of Maine. In addition to providing new knowledge about the herring, significant new data was. obtained on poten- tially valuable lobster and shrimp and other shell- fish beds. The program continues into FY 1973, and operations in the fall of 1972 using ship-supported diving are expected to yield significant new in-situ data on the spawning of herring. Observers from the Environmental Protection Agency, the States of Massachusetts and Maine, and Canada have partici- pated in the operations. Straits of Florida.—This program used the Navy- owned, Woods Hole-operated submersible ALVIN for 14 dives to study sedimentary processes at six specific sites in the Straits. Samples were obtained and observations made to determine relationships be- tween erosion, sediment transport, and bottom cur- rent dynamics. The data collected are significant in understanding the origins of geological structures in the area, the processes active in the area, and the distribution and fate of pollutants. The activities and results are reflected significantly in FY 1973 plans. The principal investigators were from NOAA’s At- lantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and the University of Miami. 45 Glovers Reef, British Honduras.—In early Decem- ber 1971, a submersible project was conducted jointly with the National Science Foundation at Glovers Reef, British Honduras. Participants in this mission were from the University of Miami, Colorado School of Mines, University of Texas, and the University of the West Indies. The primary purpose of this project was the geological and biological exploration of a deep living reef, or carbonate platform, to study its composition and origin. Using General Oceano- graphics’ submersible NEKTON BETA, 29 dives were made in three study areas. Ancient carbonate platforms are an important source of offshore fossil fuels, and work on carbonate platforms, which con- tinued during FY 1973 with operations using the NEKTON BETA in October 1972, is expected to yield important data for locating new fuel deposits and monitoring man’s impact on reef ecosystems. New York Bight—The overall objective of this program is to study bottom structures and dynamics in the New York area and to determine their rela- tion to the movement of solid waste. The first two phases of the program have been completed. Phase I was conducted in September 1971, when 15 dives were made by the Perry PC—8 to perform initial sea floor reconnaissance to determine the extent and thickness of spoils areas and to generally examine ridge and swale topography. Phase II was conducted to depths of 1,500 feet in July 1972, using Westing- house DEEPSTAR 2000. The major goal here was to obtain information on sediment distribution and chemistry on the shelves. In addition to observing and obtaining samples, geological stations will be established, consisting of in-situ current meters and dyed tiles of sand. The sand tiles dissipate slowly and will permit sediment tracing during later phases of the program. This program provides data for MUSA&T efforts to investigate dump sites and will support the NOAA Marine Ecosystems Analysis (MESA) program. Operations were conducted with scientists from Woods Hole, AOML, Corps of En- gineers, Westinghouse, NMFS, and Adelphi and Columbia Universities. During FY 1972, a similar project was initiated in the Southern California Borderlands, which will be described, and during FY 1973 it is expected that operations will com- mence to evaluate a proposed dump site in Puget Sound and related shellfish populations. Hudson Canyon, New York.—In June 1972, a series of dives using ALVIN were made to depths of 5,000—6,000 feet in the Hudson Canyon to study the bottom formations and dynamics (sedimentary processes). A primary purpose was to determine the manner in which such submarine canyons may serve as “pipelines” for the movement of organic and in- organic materials from the Continental Shelf to abys- sal depths. Because of their importance in many oceanic processes, there is also considerable interest in the origins of these features. Data was obtained by direct observation, photographs, coring, and em- placement of instruments. These dives were made by scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institu- tion, AOML, and Lehigh University. In addition to supporting activities in the New York Bight, this operation is part of a larger continuing program to investigate and perhaps ultimately model the proc- esses in submarine canyons. This larger effort was also supported by activities in the Southern California Borderlands. Southern California Borderlands.—In June 1972, the Lockheed submersible DEEP QUEST made four dives totaling 40 hours bottom time to depths of 6,300 feet at toxic and radioactive dump sites off the coast of southern California. The prime purpose was to determine the condition of the bottom and the overall effects of some 25-30 years of dumping in this area. The dives were made by scientists from Plessey Industries and the Lockheed Corporation. In July 1972, several dives were made using the DEEP QUEST submersible to depths of 6,000—7,000 feet in the south part of the San Diego Trough. The objectives were to study the movement of fine grain sediment from shallow areas into the deeper reaches of the submarine canyons. This phase was part of the overall program designed to determine the role of submarine canyons in the dispersal of solid wastes. Scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Rice University, Lockheed Corporation, and MUS&T participated. Bahama Banks Research Program (HYDRO- LAB).—The Perry HYDROLAB (a 2—4-man habi- tat), located at 50 feet deep near Grand Bahama Island, is being used in a series ef investigations com- menced during FY 1972 and continuing through FY 1973. Included in a series are studies of fish be- havior life cycles and biological productivity, experi- 46 mental fish traps, zooplankton surveys, the indexing of coral fauna and biota, bioacoustical investigations, measurement of photosynthesis and basic in-situ studies of water chemistry and geology. Five 4—6-day missions were conducted from December to June, 1972, by scientists from the Federal Government and several universities. In addition seven geological investigations were made using the Perry submersible PC-8 in late 1971. Operations are to obtain detailed baseline data on the overall ecology of a major reef area, since reefs are sensitive environmental indica- tors of man’s intrusion into the oceans. The tech- niques developed and the experience gained in this program can be used subsequently in other locations on the U.S. continental slopes and shelves. This is part of a larger program of reef ecology studies, which includes the FLARE project (to be described) and others, that will permit the comparison and con- trast of areas in various parts of the United States and nearby. In addition, HYDROLAB provides a relatively inexpensive facility from which scientists can be trained in new underwater techniques and from which new instrumentation can be tested. During FY 1973, operations will be conducted in Puerto Rico to obtain further ecological baseline and geological data. These operations will use the new, Puerto Rican government- and Marine Resources Development Foundation-sponsored PRINUL habi- tat. A MUS&T program-sponsored team made the first operational dive using the habitat from Novem- ber 18 to December 1, 1972. In addition to support- ing the overall program in reef ecology, this will also provide experience with a habitat of the latest design. Florida Aquanaut Research Expedition (FLARE). —This program commenced on January 27, 1972, with the first of nine saturation dives at four loca- tions (commencing at Long Reef) on the southeast coast of Florida. This multidiscipline project, under the operational management of Woods Hole Oceano- graphic Institution, made use of the University of New Hampshire’s habitat EDALHAB supported by the Woods Hole-operated Navy research vessel LULU. Although the scientific teams that took part in FLARE pursued many different research goals, their primary objectives were similar, i.e., to increase the understanding of basic coral reef ecology and to test, under the most stressful conditions, technologi- cal advantages to be realized from the use of a transportable habitat supported by a surface vessel. The studies included reactions of fish to novel traps and holding devices, effects of pollutants on reef metabolism, obtaining coral cores, detailed studies of coral algae, and comparing biological productivity in areas of sewage outfalls and “clean” areas. Over 25 scientists participated as aquanauts in this pro- gram which concluded in late April 1972. Divers near habitat HYDROLAB deployed in 50 ft of water off the coast of Grand Bahama Island. Pacific Walrus (Bering Sea).—In February 1972, the Perry PC-8 submersible, supported by the Coast Guard icebreaker BURTON ISLAND, was used in the Bering Sea as part of a study of marine mammal productivity. The research was carried out under the US. International Biological Program and funded by the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and NOAA. Participating in the 6-week cruise were seven scientists from Johns Hop- kins University, the Arctic Health Research Center, and the University of Alaska. The scientists under- took a study of the complex food chain extending from phytoplankton to benthos to the Pacific Walrus, Odobenus rosmarus. The study also included an ex- amination of the walrus population structure, social behavior, and reproductive biology. The PC—8 made four scientific dives in and under the ice to support a program of intensive benthic sampling and inspec- tion and for observation of walrus feeding behavior. Some 3,000 walrus were sighted during the cruise. 47 Their movements, vocalizations, feeding and resting schedules, and the organization and activities of mating groups were studied intensively. This program is basic to an understanding of Arctic marine bio- logical productivity and conserving marine mammals. Flower Garden Reefs, Gulf of Mexico, Galveston, Tex.—In June 1972, 16 dives were conducted at depths of 200-400 feet using General Oceano- graphic’s NEKTON submersible 120 miles southeast of Galveston, Tex. The objective of these dives was to obtain biological and geological baseline data by observation and selection of samples. The samples are being analyzed for pesticide and heavy metal content and have been found to contain significant amounts of mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Geo- logical sampling of sediments was also carried out to determine the impact of the Mississippi River fanning out on the distant reaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Continuation of activities which support reef ecology and resource location efforts during FY 1973 is expected. Coast Guard ship with submersible PC-8 en route to Bering Sea site for study of Pacific walrus. Submersible PC-8 operating in ice in the Bering Sea in study of Pacific walrus pro- ductivity. 48 PRINUL, Puerto Rico.—In November 1972, the Puerto Rican International Underwater Laboratory (PRINUL) project, sponsored by the Puerto Rican government, started operations off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico near Mayaguez. The MUS&T Office has sponsored scientific divers to conduct nine diver-missions pertaining to reef ecology studies, five through December 1972. International scientific cooperation—During FY 1973, preparations are being made for participation in the U.S.-French investigations of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These preparations are being made through a joint effort with the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research. It is also expected that a joint U.S.-Canadian program will be conducted in the Great Lakes to further study physical and bio- logical processes around the time of ice breakup and to gain further information on cold water diving. Biomedical program.—In addition to the marine science programs, a program was initiated during FY 1972 and will continue during FY 1973 to develop vertical excursion limits for divers saturated on nitrogen-oxygen breathing mixtures. Such informa- tion is necessary, both from a medical safety stand- point and in order to properly locate future ocean floor laboratories so as to permit optimum vertical excursion ranges in steep topographic areas. These excursion ranges are being developed under contract with Union Carbide Corporation using their com- puter program. Portions of the resulting tables will be validated in the research hyperbaric chamber facility with Navy cooperation. During FY 1973, equipment development is being initiated both inde- pendently and in cooperation with the Navy for medical support of divers. Significant cooperative agreements have been reached with the Navy in the biomedical and other fields. MUS&T participated with the Office of Naval Research in an Arctic ice diving experiment at Resolute Bay, Canada, during December 1972. NOAA diving manual.—A civilian diving manual for NOAA employees is under development and will address problems of scientific diving as well as work- ing diving. This document will complement Navy manuals and will integrate information from many sources, i.e., universities and other organizations con- cerned with diving. Close liaison is being maintained with the Navy, the National Research Council on 49 Underwater Medicine, commercial diving organiza- tions, and those agencies involved in using or devel- oping national diving standards. In conjunction with this and the U.S. Navy biomedical program, MUS&T is attempting to develop quantitative data on com- mercial, recreational, scientific, and nonmilitary gov- ernmental diving through an effort sponsored by the National Bureau of Standards. To improve overall safety, an analysis of scuba accidents is being spon- sored by the Navy, Department of Health, Educa- tion, and Welfare, and the Coast Guard at the University of Rhode Island. Undersea laboratory systems.—The habitats used in many of the well-known projects of the past were designed primarily to provide a sea floor shelter to sleep and eat and to demonstrate a technological ca- pability. To determine the impact of manned under- sea systems in the varied fields these systems can support, it is necessary to move into systems designed for operational capabilities. This differentiates labora- tories from habitats. During FY 1972, a grant was awarded to the University of New Hampshire to de- termine the impact of the requirements of the scien- tific community on the designs of future undersea laboratory systems. (See pp. 00-00.) Manned undersea activity goals——Under the MUS&T sponsorship, the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering conducted a workshop to study the national goals and priorities in undersea science and technology requiring the presence of man. The culmination will be the report from a 5-day workshop during October 1972 to be distrib- uted in mid-1973. (See pp. 00-00.) Future programs.—With the current availability of undersea platforms, manned undersea efforts will tend to concentrate on critical technological and equipment gaps in civil undersea applications. The strengths and weaknesses of existing systems will be identified based on mission-oriented applications so that requirements for future systems can be formu- lated. Similar to the FY 1972-73 projects, MUS&T will continue to facilitate the coordination of under- sea science projects and the utilization of available platforms in support of NOAA’s mission and the re- lated missions of other Federal agencies. Figure 6 is a bar chart showing that NOAA participants repre- sented less than 20% in the projects conducted thus far. 0% Percentage Participation By Sector 100% Northeast Fisheries New York Bight Hudson Canyon Bahama Banks FLARE, Florida Florida Straits Flower Gardens, Texas California Borderlands Walrus, Bering Sea Glovers Reef, Br. Honduras Puerto Rico Undersea Lab. Arctic Experiments soe & NOAA ; Other Federal res Academia = Industry Figure 6. Participants in MUS&T science proj- ects as of December 1972. 50 Yas ry, tei, rae OTS I X Bad 4 rs = Day, t \X7 4 i \ N eratian “PUNE ME Lockout submersible BEAVER MARK IV. on support barge. Transportable habitat PRINUL. Bil @ >, ENTENA, G al ¥ Nyor™ (ares A