Summary

GAO discussed the status of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) research fleet modernization and use of multiyear chartering to obtain ship support. GAO found that: (1) budget restraints have reduced research fleet support, although research assignments have increased; (2) NOAA users generally find allocated research ship time and ships' capabilities inadequate; (3) most users believe that ship and equipment upgrades and additional ships are necessary for future research; and (4) NOAA has not adopted a strategy to meet future fleet support needs.