The National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Future Needs in Deep Submergence Science recently requested the funding agencies of the National Deep Submergence Facility, i.e., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research, to submit testimony regarding the need for continued use of human occupied submersibles. In response, NOAA's Undersea Research Program (NURP) asked NURP-supported researchers to describe their personal experiences with human occupied submersibles including examples of how their research was enhanced or only possible with a human occupied submersible.

THE RESULTS:

"Out of the 33 researchers that submitted testimony, 32 strongly recommended continued use of human occupied submersibles in undersea research."

THE STATEMENT OF NEED:

The National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Future Needs in Deep Submergence Science has been tasked to (1) assess current and projected capabilities of manned and unmanned vehicles; (2) make recommendations regarding the mix of vehicles needed to continue to carry out world-class deep submergence science; and (3) discuss innovative design concepts and technological advances that should be incorporated into any new vehicles to support current and future research needs.

TESTIMONY CAN BE FOUND ON THE National Academy of Sciences Web site at http://dels.nas.edu/deepsubmergence/. This testimony on the continued use of human occupied submersibles submitted on behalf of NOAA by NURP, included the personal testimony of 33 researchers and can be found listed under Barbara Moore, Director of NURP on the National Academy of Sciences Web site.

Contact Name: Gene Smith
Tel: (301) 713-2427
gene.smith@noaa.gov