Payment of per Diem of an Employee on Temporary Duty at a Ship Away from Designated Post

An advance decision was requested concerning the legality of paying travel expenses of an employee on temporary duty at a ship drydocked at Baltimore, Maryland, away from his designated post at Washington, D.C. Although no specific written authorization was given prior to the travel for payment of per diem, the employee was entitled to payment for lodging at the temporary site since his supervisors approved, and payment was authorized by the general travel authorization for movement of the ship.