The U. S. Oceanographic Fleet

Previous GAO reports on Federal ocean programs discussed the number of activities involved, costs of programs, and lack of coordination. The most recent review in this area dealt with problems associated with operating federally owned and/or funded ocean research and survey vessels. In 1977, over $126 million was spent to operate and maintain the oceanographic fleet which is composed of 60 oceanographic research vessels and 21 survey vessels. Federal oceanic activities are conducted by 21 organizations in 6 departments and 5 agencies. Vessels are funded, operated, and managed independently with no single agency having overall responsibility. There are no Government-wide policies or procedures for agencies to follow. Four issues which require resolution to improve the capability of the U.S. ocean fleet are: the need for a single manager of all U.S. oceanographic vessels, the need for uniform vessel accounting standards, the need for better coordination within the Department of the Navy, and the need for improving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's vessel management activities. Because of the growing awareness of the importance of ocean resources, other maritime nations have expanded efforts in ocean science. The Soviet Union has been improving its oceanographic capability through a comprehensive national ocean policy and program. The Soviet Union is more advanced in polar research, but the United States is still leading in overall oceanographic research. France and the United Kingdom have also engaged in comprehensive ocean programs with centralized management.