Ocean Research Fleet: NOAA Needs to Plan for Long-Term Fleet Requirements
RCED-90-42
Published: Nov 13, 1989. Publicly Released: Nov 13, 1989.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the: (1) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) research fleet's ability to carry out its current and future mission requirements; and (2) status of NOAA plans to modernize the fleet.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Commerce | In order for NOAA to fulfill its mission effectively and efficiently, the Secretary of Commerce should ensure that NOAA, with departmental approval and support, officially adopts a plan to provide long-term ship support to its users. This plan should, among other things, provide flexibility so that NOAA can, if provided by Congress, exercise multiyear contracting authority to experiment with long-term chartering and leasing arrangements. Such an experiment should be used to determine the effectiveness of these arrangements in providing some of NOAA future ship support. |
Closed – Implemented
The Secretary of Commerce approved the NOAA 15-year fleet replacement and modernization plan. Congress is recognizing the urgency of modernizing the NOAA fleet and has appropriated $33.2 million in fiscal year 1992 to begin the modernization program.
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Topics
Agency missionsAtmospheric researchEquipment maintenanceEquipment repairsFuture budget projectionsMarine resources developmentOceanographic researchRepair costsResearch shipsSurvey vessels